WITH CORRECT ANSWERS

NR 546 Final PRACTICE EXAM Psychopharmacology REAL QUESTIONS

WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2025/2026

MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) affect which neurotransmitters?

• Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine
• Serotonin, GABA, Glutamate
• Acetylcholine, Dopamine, Norepinephrine
• Dopamine, GABA, Acetylcholine - ANSWER A. Serotonin,

Dopamine, Norepinephrine Which of the following is considered first line treatment for depression?

A. SSRI

B. FGA

C. SNRI

D. MAOI - ANSWER A. SSRI

When treating a patient for major depression disorder which medication would the PMHNP consider first?

• Depakote
• Selegiline
• Escitalopram
• Isocarboxazid - ANSWER C. Escitalopram

Which of the following medication should be considered for a patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder who reports "always forgetting to take my pills"? 1 / 3

• Mirtazapine
• Fluvoxamine
• Fluoxetine
• Carbemazepine - ANSWER C. Fluoxetine

Which of the following medication has a black box warning of a life-threatening skin rash?

• Lithium
• Lamotrigine
• Lurasidone
• Lorazepam - ANSWER B. Lamotrigine

Which medication is considered the best tolerated SSRI?

• Venlafaxine
• Bupropion
• Setraline
• Escitalopram - ANSWER D. Escitalopram

During a 4 week follow up appointment, Rashida, who is prescribed Sertraline 25mg qAM reports slight improvement in depression symptoms and tolerating medication well. Which of the following should the PMHNP do?

• Increase Setraline dose
• Switch to an SNRI
• Switch to a different SSRI
• Add Trazodone qHS for sleep. - ANSWER A. Increase Setraline

dose 2 / 3

Which medication should be avoided for the 66 year patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder and anxiety with a reported fall 3 months ago?

• Citalopram
• Setraline
• Paroxetine
• Aripiprazole - ANSWER C. Paroxetine

A patient reports upset stomach and diarrhea 3 days after taking new prescription of sertraline. Which of the following is the most appropriate response from the

PMHNP?

• "Start doubling the dose of sertraline and your symptoms will begin to ease up".
• "Most side effects subside after 4-5 days. Your body is getting adjusted to the

increased serotonin levels".

• "Stop taking it immediately and go to the local emergency department".
• "You must take Sertraline with food, otherwise you will continue to experience

GI symptoms". - ANSWER B. "Most side effects subside after 4-5 days. Your body is getting adjusted to the increased serotonin levels".During a 2 week follow up appointment, the patient reports no improvement in depressive symptoms with escitalopram. Which of the following statement made by the PMHNP is correct?

• "Let's discontinue escitalopram and start you on something stronger".
• "It can take up to 6 weeks before you notice improvements of depressive

symptoms".

• "I am going to prescibe Trazodone. Take it at night to help you sleep".
• "Start taking two pills at a time". - ANSWER B. "It can take up to
• weeks before you notice improvements of depressive symptoms".

Duloxetine effects which two neurotransmitters?

• serotonin and norepinephrine
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