NSG 533 Advanced Pharmacology Test 1 Week 4 Study Guide
2026 | Complete Review | Graded A+| Wilkes University
1. Regarding the timeline for improvements in depression symptoms:
It takes at least 4-6 weeks to see any improvement.
Patients may begin to see improvements within the first week.
Patients usually see significant improvements within a few days.
A full clinical response is guaranteed within the first two weeks.
2. What is a common sleep disorder characterized by difficulty staying asleep?
Sleep apnea
Insomnia
Restless legs syndrome
Narcolepsy
3. Which medication is recommended for treating sleep initiation difficulties in
patients with a history of alcohol abuse?
Flurazepam
Temazepam
Amitriptyline
Eszopiclone
Ramelteon
4. Which of the following antidepressants is known for its potential danger in
overdose situations?
Amitriptyline
, Escitalopram
Fluoxetine
Mirtazapine
5. A patient currently taking Fluoxetine is being switched to a different
antidepressant. What is the most appropriate action regarding the timing of
the new medication's initiation?
Reduce the dose of Fluoxetine before switching to the new
medication.
Switch to the new medication without any washout period.
Start the new medication immediately after discontinuing Fluoxetine.
Implement a 5-week washout period before starting the new
medication.
6. If a patient with restless legs syndrome develops compulsive behaviors after
starting pramipexole, what would be the most appropriate next step in
management?
Add a sedative to the treatment regimen.
Consider switching to a different medication.
Increase the dose of pramipexole.
Continue pramipexole without changes.
7. If a 12-year-old with social anxiety disorder is not responding to cognitive-
behavioral therapy, what would be an appropriate next step in their treatment
plan?
Consideration of pharmacotherapy, such as fluoxetine.
Increase the frequency of CBT sessions.
, Switch to a different form of psychotherapy.
Discontinue all forms of treatment.
8. What is the primary reason for the reemergence of symptoms in a patient
taking ropinirole for restless legs syndrome?
The patient is experiencing symptom augmentation.
The patient is experiencing tolerance to the ropinirole.
The patient is experiencing morning symptoms due to iron deficiency.
The ropinirole has worn off at 3 AM due to relatively short half-life.
9. Which agent is commonly recommended for the treatment of jet lag?
Valerian
Diphenhydramine
Quazepam
Melatonin
Mirtazapine
10. •A 52-year-old man presents with trouble sleeping. He has problems falling
asleep, tossing and turning for several hours before finally getting to sleep.
The next day the patient is tired, and this has caused some problems at work.
The patient denies signs or symptoms of depression. Which of the following
is the best sleep hygiene recommendation to help this patient sleep?
get up at the same time every day
watch TV in bed until sleepy
take daytime naps when possible
eat larger meal before bedtime
, Begin a graded program of exercise in the early evening
11. If BL experiences increased afternoon sleepiness despite the current
treatment plan, what would be an appropriate next step in management?
Increase the dosage of methylphenidate without consulting a
provider.
Switch to a completely different class of medication immediately.
Consult with a healthcare provider to evaluate the need for dosage
adjustment or alternative medications.
Discontinue all medications and rely on behavioral strategies.
12. Identify the phenomenon below that most directly challenges (does not
support) the 'monoamine' hypothesis of major depression. The fact that
A delay of weeks occurs between onset of neuronal actions and
antidepressant responses.
Neuronal actions and onset of adverse effects occur within days of
antidepressant use.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors elevate synaptic levels of monoamines.
Tricyclic antidepressants block neuronal reuptake of norepinephrine
and serotonin.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors block neuronal serotonin
reuptake.
13. The nurse provides care for an older adult client who is prescribed
venlafaxine HCl for the treatment of depression. Which priority assessment
does the nurse include in the client's plan of care based on this
pharmacologic therapy?
Heart rate
2026 | Complete Review | Graded A+| Wilkes University
1. Regarding the timeline for improvements in depression symptoms:
It takes at least 4-6 weeks to see any improvement.
Patients may begin to see improvements within the first week.
Patients usually see significant improvements within a few days.
A full clinical response is guaranteed within the first two weeks.
2. What is a common sleep disorder characterized by difficulty staying asleep?
Sleep apnea
Insomnia
Restless legs syndrome
Narcolepsy
3. Which medication is recommended for treating sleep initiation difficulties in
patients with a history of alcohol abuse?
Flurazepam
Temazepam
Amitriptyline
Eszopiclone
Ramelteon
4. Which of the following antidepressants is known for its potential danger in
overdose situations?
Amitriptyline
, Escitalopram
Fluoxetine
Mirtazapine
5. A patient currently taking Fluoxetine is being switched to a different
antidepressant. What is the most appropriate action regarding the timing of
the new medication's initiation?
Reduce the dose of Fluoxetine before switching to the new
medication.
Switch to the new medication without any washout period.
Start the new medication immediately after discontinuing Fluoxetine.
Implement a 5-week washout period before starting the new
medication.
6. If a patient with restless legs syndrome develops compulsive behaviors after
starting pramipexole, what would be the most appropriate next step in
management?
Add a sedative to the treatment regimen.
Consider switching to a different medication.
Increase the dose of pramipexole.
Continue pramipexole without changes.
7. If a 12-year-old with social anxiety disorder is not responding to cognitive-
behavioral therapy, what would be an appropriate next step in their treatment
plan?
Consideration of pharmacotherapy, such as fluoxetine.
Increase the frequency of CBT sessions.
, Switch to a different form of psychotherapy.
Discontinue all forms of treatment.
8. What is the primary reason for the reemergence of symptoms in a patient
taking ropinirole for restless legs syndrome?
The patient is experiencing symptom augmentation.
The patient is experiencing tolerance to the ropinirole.
The patient is experiencing morning symptoms due to iron deficiency.
The ropinirole has worn off at 3 AM due to relatively short half-life.
9. Which agent is commonly recommended for the treatment of jet lag?
Valerian
Diphenhydramine
Quazepam
Melatonin
Mirtazapine
10. •A 52-year-old man presents with trouble sleeping. He has problems falling
asleep, tossing and turning for several hours before finally getting to sleep.
The next day the patient is tired, and this has caused some problems at work.
The patient denies signs or symptoms of depression. Which of the following
is the best sleep hygiene recommendation to help this patient sleep?
get up at the same time every day
watch TV in bed until sleepy
take daytime naps when possible
eat larger meal before bedtime
, Begin a graded program of exercise in the early evening
11. If BL experiences increased afternoon sleepiness despite the current
treatment plan, what would be an appropriate next step in management?
Increase the dosage of methylphenidate without consulting a
provider.
Switch to a completely different class of medication immediately.
Consult with a healthcare provider to evaluate the need for dosage
adjustment or alternative medications.
Discontinue all medications and rely on behavioral strategies.
12. Identify the phenomenon below that most directly challenges (does not
support) the 'monoamine' hypothesis of major depression. The fact that
A delay of weeks occurs between onset of neuronal actions and
antidepressant responses.
Neuronal actions and onset of adverse effects occur within days of
antidepressant use.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors elevate synaptic levels of monoamines.
Tricyclic antidepressants block neuronal reuptake of norepinephrine
and serotonin.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors block neuronal serotonin
reuptake.
13. The nurse provides care for an older adult client who is prescribed
venlafaxine HCl for the treatment of depression. Which priority assessment
does the nurse include in the client's plan of care based on this
pharmacologic therapy?
Heart rate
