NURS 6630 STUDY GUIDE TEST BANK
EXAM WITH QUESTIONS AND
RATIONALES GUARANTEED PASS LATEST
2026
1. Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs)?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Norepinephrine
D. GABA
Answer: B. Serotonin
Rationale: SSRIs block the reuptake of serotonin into presynaptic neurons, increasing its
availability in the synaptic cleft, which improves mood and reduces anxiety.
2. Which of the following is a common side effect of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)?
A. Sedation
B. Weight loss
C. Hyperactivity
D. Bradycardia
Answer: A. Sedation
Rationale: TCAs often cause anticholinergic side effects such as sedation, dry mouth, urinary
retention, and constipation due to their non-selective receptor activity.
3. A patient taking lithium for bipolar disorder develops tremor, nausea, and mild
diarrhea. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A. Discontinue lithium immediately
B. Assess lithium levels and renal function
,NURS 6630 STUDY GUIDE TEST BANK
EXAM WITH QUESTIONS AND
RATIONALES GUARANTEED PASS LATEST
2026
C. Ignore as mild side effects
D. Increase the lithium dose
Answer: B. Assess lithium levels and renal function
Rationale: Tremor, nausea, and diarrhea may indicate lithium toxicity. It’s crucial to check
serum lithium levels and renal function before making dose adjustments.
4. Which antipsychotic is considered first-line for treatment-resistant schizophrenia?
A. Risperidone
B. Clozapine
C. Haloperidol
D. Olanzapine
Answer: B. Clozapine
Rationale: Clozapine is effective for treatment-resistant schizophrenia but requires regular
monitoring due to risks like agranulocytosis and myocarditis.
5. Which class of drugs is first-line for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
A. SSRIs
B. Benzodiazepines
C. MAOIs
D. Antipsychotics
Answer: A. SSRIs
Rationale: SSRIs are considered first-line due to efficacy and favorable safety profile.
Benzodiazepines are used for short-term relief due to dependence risk.
,NURS 6630 STUDY GUIDE TEST BANK
EXAM WITH QUESTIONS AND
RATIONALES GUARANTEED PASS LATEST
2026
6. Which of the following medications is a mood stabilizer used in bipolar disorder?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Valproate
C. Sertraline
D. Lorazepam
Answer: B. Valproate
Rationale: Valproate (divalproex) is a mood stabilizer effective for acute mania and
maintenance therapy in bipolar disorder.
7. Which neurotransmitter system is primarily involved in ADHD medications like
methylphenidate?
A. GABAergic
B. Serotonergic
C. Dopaminergic and noradrenergic
D. Cholinergic
Answer: C. Dopaminergic and noradrenergic
Rationale: Stimulants like methylphenidate increase dopamine and norepinephrine in the
prefrontal cortex, improving attention and executive function.
8. Which of the following is a major adverse effect of first-generation antipsychotics?
A. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
B. Hyponatremia
, NURS 6630 STUDY GUIDE TEST BANK
EXAM WITH QUESTIONS AND
RATIONALES GUARANTEED PASS LATEST
2026
C. Hyperprolactinemia
D. Hypotension
Answer: A. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
Rationale: FGAs like haloperidol block dopamine D2 receptors, leading to EPS including
dystonia, parkinsonism, and akathisia.
9. A patient on SSRIs reports persistent sexual dysfunction. Which is an appropriate
management strategy?
A. Discontinue SSRI immediately
B. Switch to bupropion
C. Increase the SSRI dose
D. Add another SSRI
Answer: B. Switch to bupropion
Rationale: Bupropion is an antidepressant with minimal sexual side effects and may be
substituted if SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction is significant.
10. Which benzodiazepine is preferred for elderly patients due to shorter half-life and
lower risk of accumulation?
A. Diazepam
B. Lorazepam
C. Clonazepam
D. Chlordiazepoxide
EXAM WITH QUESTIONS AND
RATIONALES GUARANTEED PASS LATEST
2026
1. Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs)?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Norepinephrine
D. GABA
Answer: B. Serotonin
Rationale: SSRIs block the reuptake of serotonin into presynaptic neurons, increasing its
availability in the synaptic cleft, which improves mood and reduces anxiety.
2. Which of the following is a common side effect of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)?
A. Sedation
B. Weight loss
C. Hyperactivity
D. Bradycardia
Answer: A. Sedation
Rationale: TCAs often cause anticholinergic side effects such as sedation, dry mouth, urinary
retention, and constipation due to their non-selective receptor activity.
3. A patient taking lithium for bipolar disorder develops tremor, nausea, and mild
diarrhea. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A. Discontinue lithium immediately
B. Assess lithium levels and renal function
,NURS 6630 STUDY GUIDE TEST BANK
EXAM WITH QUESTIONS AND
RATIONALES GUARANTEED PASS LATEST
2026
C. Ignore as mild side effects
D. Increase the lithium dose
Answer: B. Assess lithium levels and renal function
Rationale: Tremor, nausea, and diarrhea may indicate lithium toxicity. It’s crucial to check
serum lithium levels and renal function before making dose adjustments.
4. Which antipsychotic is considered first-line for treatment-resistant schizophrenia?
A. Risperidone
B. Clozapine
C. Haloperidol
D. Olanzapine
Answer: B. Clozapine
Rationale: Clozapine is effective for treatment-resistant schizophrenia but requires regular
monitoring due to risks like agranulocytosis and myocarditis.
5. Which class of drugs is first-line for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
A. SSRIs
B. Benzodiazepines
C. MAOIs
D. Antipsychotics
Answer: A. SSRIs
Rationale: SSRIs are considered first-line due to efficacy and favorable safety profile.
Benzodiazepines are used for short-term relief due to dependence risk.
,NURS 6630 STUDY GUIDE TEST BANK
EXAM WITH QUESTIONS AND
RATIONALES GUARANTEED PASS LATEST
2026
6. Which of the following medications is a mood stabilizer used in bipolar disorder?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Valproate
C. Sertraline
D. Lorazepam
Answer: B. Valproate
Rationale: Valproate (divalproex) is a mood stabilizer effective for acute mania and
maintenance therapy in bipolar disorder.
7. Which neurotransmitter system is primarily involved in ADHD medications like
methylphenidate?
A. GABAergic
B. Serotonergic
C. Dopaminergic and noradrenergic
D. Cholinergic
Answer: C. Dopaminergic and noradrenergic
Rationale: Stimulants like methylphenidate increase dopamine and norepinephrine in the
prefrontal cortex, improving attention and executive function.
8. Which of the following is a major adverse effect of first-generation antipsychotics?
A. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
B. Hyponatremia
, NURS 6630 STUDY GUIDE TEST BANK
EXAM WITH QUESTIONS AND
RATIONALES GUARANTEED PASS LATEST
2026
C. Hyperprolactinemia
D. Hypotension
Answer: A. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
Rationale: FGAs like haloperidol block dopamine D2 receptors, leading to EPS including
dystonia, parkinsonism, and akathisia.
9. A patient on SSRIs reports persistent sexual dysfunction. Which is an appropriate
management strategy?
A. Discontinue SSRI immediately
B. Switch to bupropion
C. Increase the SSRI dose
D. Add another SSRI
Answer: B. Switch to bupropion
Rationale: Bupropion is an antidepressant with minimal sexual side effects and may be
substituted if SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction is significant.
10. Which benzodiazepine is preferred for elderly patients due to shorter half-life and
lower risk of accumulation?
A. Diazepam
B. Lorazepam
C. Clonazepam
D. Chlordiazepoxide
