PHARMACOLOGY MENTAL HEALTH FINAL EXAM 62
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS 2025/2026
a) Promotes safety (which includes assessing for suicide risk and harm to self or
others)
b) make sure there are no metal utensils, shoe laces, belts, sharps in the area,
watch medication administration closely.
c) self-care deficits and grief support - CORRECT ANSWER a) What is the #1
priority for patients with depression or mental illness?
b) What are some ways the nurse can help promote their safety?
c) what is other less-priority interventions for these patients?
False: do not give personal advice - CORRECT ANSWER True or false: The nurse
should offer advice as to how those with mental illness should try to cope with
their feelings.
Typical antipsychotics are the first generation ones such as MAOIs and tricyclics
(end in praline and tryptamine).
Atypical are the second generation ones, which are first line due to less adverse
effects - no CVS effects so extra safe for elderly! These include SSRIs, SNRIs, and
miscellaneous - CORRECT ANSWER Describe typical vs atypical antidepressants.
Which one is 1st line and why?
MAOI's - typical antidepressants - CORRECT ANSWER What class of medications
do moclobemide and phenelzine belong to?
,a) treat neuropathic pain, insomnia, and bedwetting. Second line depression
treatment for those who can't take Sri’s.
b) increases serotonin - risk of serotonin syndrome if taken too much or combined
with SSRI's
c) sedation (take at bedtime to decrease effects)
cardiac effects - may cause hypo T and dysrhythmias (risk for older people) -
always have these pts on BP meds and antidysrhythmic too for safety. - CORRECT
ANSWER a) What are tricyclic antidepressants indicated for?
b) what is the MOA?
c) what are the common adverse effects?
a) give activated charcoal through NG tube to try and absorb medication out of
the stomach. Can also try to increase elimination of the drug by alkalizing the
urine with sodium bicarbonate.
b) causes dysrhythmias and seizures. Can use inotropes and anticonvulsants to
manage. Lasix and fluids needed to prevent AKI - CORRECT ANSWER a) What is the
antidotes for tricyclic overdose?
b) What does a tricyclic overdose do to the body? what meds can help with these
effects?
do not consume with alcohol (increases risk of OD)
, do not stop abruptly (withdrawal risk) - CORRECT ANSWER What is some
important patient education for those on tricyclic antidepressants?
a) Treat Parkinson's due to anticholinergic effects (rarely used for depression)
b) increase serotonin and NE
c) cause orthostatic hypo (fall risk especially for elderly)
cardiotoxicities
sedation
erectile dysfunction
d) a card saying they are on MAOIs with the regimens explained - CORRECT
ANSWER a) What are MAOI's indicated for?
b) what is their MOA?
c) What are the common adverse effects?
d) What do patients on MAOI's always have to have on them?
a) every 15 mins for the first 6 wks.
b) take a few weeks - monitor for increased irks of suicidal thoughts during this
time. - CORRECT ANSWER a) How often does the nurse need to check the BP of a
patient beginning MAOIs?
b) how long before these meds start to take effect?
a) contain tyramine! - this med stops the breakdown of tyramine. When this
builds up, BP increases and can cause a HT crisis (stroke, coma, hemorrhage)
b) no aged cheeses (cheddar, Swiss, blue)
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS 2025/2026
a) Promotes safety (which includes assessing for suicide risk and harm to self or
others)
b) make sure there are no metal utensils, shoe laces, belts, sharps in the area,
watch medication administration closely.
c) self-care deficits and grief support - CORRECT ANSWER a) What is the #1
priority for patients with depression or mental illness?
b) What are some ways the nurse can help promote their safety?
c) what is other less-priority interventions for these patients?
False: do not give personal advice - CORRECT ANSWER True or false: The nurse
should offer advice as to how those with mental illness should try to cope with
their feelings.
Typical antipsychotics are the first generation ones such as MAOIs and tricyclics
(end in praline and tryptamine).
Atypical are the second generation ones, which are first line due to less adverse
effects - no CVS effects so extra safe for elderly! These include SSRIs, SNRIs, and
miscellaneous - CORRECT ANSWER Describe typical vs atypical antidepressants.
Which one is 1st line and why?
MAOI's - typical antidepressants - CORRECT ANSWER What class of medications
do moclobemide and phenelzine belong to?
,a) treat neuropathic pain, insomnia, and bedwetting. Second line depression
treatment for those who can't take Sri’s.
b) increases serotonin - risk of serotonin syndrome if taken too much or combined
with SSRI's
c) sedation (take at bedtime to decrease effects)
cardiac effects - may cause hypo T and dysrhythmias (risk for older people) -
always have these pts on BP meds and antidysrhythmic too for safety. - CORRECT
ANSWER a) What are tricyclic antidepressants indicated for?
b) what is the MOA?
c) what are the common adverse effects?
a) give activated charcoal through NG tube to try and absorb medication out of
the stomach. Can also try to increase elimination of the drug by alkalizing the
urine with sodium bicarbonate.
b) causes dysrhythmias and seizures. Can use inotropes and anticonvulsants to
manage. Lasix and fluids needed to prevent AKI - CORRECT ANSWER a) What is the
antidotes for tricyclic overdose?
b) What does a tricyclic overdose do to the body? what meds can help with these
effects?
do not consume with alcohol (increases risk of OD)
, do not stop abruptly (withdrawal risk) - CORRECT ANSWER What is some
important patient education for those on tricyclic antidepressants?
a) Treat Parkinson's due to anticholinergic effects (rarely used for depression)
b) increase serotonin and NE
c) cause orthostatic hypo (fall risk especially for elderly)
cardiotoxicities
sedation
erectile dysfunction
d) a card saying they are on MAOIs with the regimens explained - CORRECT
ANSWER a) What are MAOI's indicated for?
b) what is their MOA?
c) What are the common adverse effects?
d) What do patients on MAOI's always have to have on them?
a) every 15 mins for the first 6 wks.
b) take a few weeks - monitor for increased irks of suicidal thoughts during this
time. - CORRECT ANSWER a) How often does the nurse need to check the BP of a
patient beginning MAOIs?
b) how long before these meds start to take effect?
a) contain tyramine! - this med stops the breakdown of tyramine. When this
builds up, BP increases and can cause a HT crisis (stroke, coma, hemorrhage)
b) no aged cheeses (cheddar, Swiss, blue)
