PSYCHO PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED SOLUTIONS 2026
◉ Bipolar II. Answer: hypomania that alternates with episodes of
major depression
◉ Cyclothymia. Answer: mood swings between hypomania and
dysthymia but without any full manic or major depressive episodes
◉ MDD symptoms. Answer: S leep changes
I nterest (loss): of interest in activities
G uilt: feelings of worthlessness
E nergy: decreased, fatigue
C oncentration: difficulty concentrating
A ppetite increase or decrease
P sychomotor: agitation or slowing
S uicide death preoccupation.
◉ valproic acid (Depakote) range. Answer: 80-125
◉ carbamazepine (Tegretol) range. Answer: 8-12
,◉ lithium range. Answer: 0.6-1.2
◉ carbamazepine plasma level. Answer: decreases after 3-5 days
requiring dose increase
◉ TCA side effects. Answer: anticholinergic
antiadrenergic
antihistaminergic
unsafe with cardiac disease
can induce hypomania
high risk for suicidal patients
◉ imipramine. Answer: TCA used for enuresis
◉ clomipramine. Answer: TCA used for OCD
◉ ANC less than 1000. Answer: Lab value that indicates
discontinuation of clozaril treatment is needed.
◉ 5HT2A antagonist activity. Answer: What differentiates atypical
antipsychotic medications from first-generation antipsychotic
medications?
, ◉ negative symptoms. Answer: You have been working with a 54-
year-old man who has been treated for schizophrenia since age 19.
He has limited social interactions, likes to be alone, and has never
dated nor had a desire to date. His symptoms are best explained by
which of the following?
◉ raphe nuclei. Answer: Where serotonin is produced.
◉ limbic system. Answer: Brain area that governs mood and
memory.
◉ mesolimbic. Answer: Dopamine pathway responsible for positive
symptoms.
◉ mesocortical. Answer: Dopamine pathway responsible for
negative symptoms.
◉ hypothalamus. Answer: Part of the brain that controls appetite,
libido, and sleep.
◉ frontal lobe. Answer: Part of the brain responsible for speech and
decision making.
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED SOLUTIONS 2026
◉ Bipolar II. Answer: hypomania that alternates with episodes of
major depression
◉ Cyclothymia. Answer: mood swings between hypomania and
dysthymia but without any full manic or major depressive episodes
◉ MDD symptoms. Answer: S leep changes
I nterest (loss): of interest in activities
G uilt: feelings of worthlessness
E nergy: decreased, fatigue
C oncentration: difficulty concentrating
A ppetite increase or decrease
P sychomotor: agitation or slowing
S uicide death preoccupation.
◉ valproic acid (Depakote) range. Answer: 80-125
◉ carbamazepine (Tegretol) range. Answer: 8-12
,◉ lithium range. Answer: 0.6-1.2
◉ carbamazepine plasma level. Answer: decreases after 3-5 days
requiring dose increase
◉ TCA side effects. Answer: anticholinergic
antiadrenergic
antihistaminergic
unsafe with cardiac disease
can induce hypomania
high risk for suicidal patients
◉ imipramine. Answer: TCA used for enuresis
◉ clomipramine. Answer: TCA used for OCD
◉ ANC less than 1000. Answer: Lab value that indicates
discontinuation of clozaril treatment is needed.
◉ 5HT2A antagonist activity. Answer: What differentiates atypical
antipsychotic medications from first-generation antipsychotic
medications?
, ◉ negative symptoms. Answer: You have been working with a 54-
year-old man who has been treated for schizophrenia since age 19.
He has limited social interactions, likes to be alone, and has never
dated nor had a desire to date. His symptoms are best explained by
which of the following?
◉ raphe nuclei. Answer: Where serotonin is produced.
◉ limbic system. Answer: Brain area that governs mood and
memory.
◉ mesolimbic. Answer: Dopamine pathway responsible for positive
symptoms.
◉ mesocortical. Answer: Dopamine pathway responsible for
negative symptoms.
◉ hypothalamus. Answer: Part of the brain that controls appetite,
libido, and sleep.
◉ frontal lobe. Answer: Part of the brain responsible for speech and
decision making.
