NURS 5359 Exam 2 Questions and 100% Correct Answers 2026 Latest -
UT Tyler
1. Fluoxetine is commonly known as:
A. Prozac
B. Advil
C. Ibuprofen
D. Aspirin
Answer: A. Prozac
Rationale: Fluoxetine is the generic name; Prozac is its brand name.
2. Fluoxetine belongs to a class of medications called:
A. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
B. Tricyclic antidepressants
C. Tetracyclic antidepressants
D. NSAIDs
Answer: A. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Rationale: SSRIs inhibit serotonin reuptake, increasing serotonin levels in the synaptic
cleft.
3. Fluoxetine is used to treat:
Depression
II. OCD
III. Bulimia nervosa
A. I, II and III
B. III only
C. I only
D. I and II only
Answer: A. I, II and III
Rationale: Fluoxetine is FDA-approved for depression, OCD, and bulimia nervosa.
4. A deficiency in Norepinephrine (NE) is linked to which of the following symptoms?
A. Heightened emotional reactivity
B. Low energy, reduced motivation, and poor concentration
C. Reduced inhibitory control
D. An over-production of excitatory neurotransmitters
Answer: B. Low energy, reduced motivation, and poor concentration
Rationale: NE deficiency is associated with anergia, decreased attention, and
motivational deficits.
NURS 5359 Exam 2
,5. How does the dysfunction of GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) contribute to mood
disorders?
A. It causes a breakdown of the brain’s main excitatory circuits.
B. It results in a disruption of inhibitory control causing heightened emotional reactivity
C. It leads to low energy and reduced motivation
D. it is not directly related to mood disorders
Answer: B. It results in a disruption of inhibitory control causing heightened emotional
reactivity
Rationale: GABA is the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter; its dysfunction can
increase emotional reactivity and anxiety.
6. According to the Monoamine Hypothesis of Depression, what is the core idea
regarding the cause of depression?
A. A deficiency of GABA, the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter
B. A buildup of stress hormones in the brain
C. An excess of monoamine neurotransmitters
D. A shortage of monoamine neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine
Answer: D. A shortage of monoamine neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and
dopamine
Rationale: Depression is theorized to result from deficits in monoamines like serotonin,
norepinephrine, and dopamine.
7. The slide for Citalopram (Celexa) includes a “Black Box Warning” for increased risk of
suicidal thoughts and behaviors in which patient population?
A. Adults with a history of alcohol abuse
B. Elderly patients with a history of heart conditions
C. Young adults age 24 and under
D. All patients regardless of age
Answer: C. Young adults age 24 and under
Rationale: SSRIs carry an increased risk of suicidal thoughts in individuals under 25.
8. Which of the following SSRIs is preferred for breastfeeding mothers due to its low
transfer into breast milk and minimal infant side effects?
A. Citalopram
B. Fluoxetine
C. Paroxetine
D. Escitalopram
Answer: D. Escitalopram
Rationale: Escitalopram has low transfer into breast milk and minimal infant effects.
NURS 5359 Exam 2
, 9. When switching from an SSRI to a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), how long
should you wait before starting the MAOI to avoid serotonin syndrome?
A. 24 hours
B. 3 days
C. 5 or more elimination half-lives
D. 1 week
Answer: C. 5 or more elimination half-lives
Rationale: To avoid serotonin syndrome, enough time must pass for SSRI clearance; for
fluoxetine, this is usually 5 weeks due to its long half-life.
10. When prescribing SSRIs to pregnant patients, which of the following is considered
the first-line choice due to its favorable safety profile and minimal neonatal
complications?
A. Citalopram
B. Paroxetine
C. Sertraline
D. Escitalopram
Answer: C. Sertraline
Rationale: Sertraline has the most favorable safety profile and lowest neonatal
complications.
5
1) Which SNRIs are considered safe and can be used by pregnant patients and while
breastfeeding?
1. a) dextromethorphan/bupropion
2. b) Venlafaxine
3. c) Duloxetine
4. d) desvenlafaxine
Answer: B. Venlafaxine & C. Duloxetine
Rationale: Venlafaxine and duloxetine are generally considered safe; desvenlafaxine has
limited data; dextromethorphan/bupropion is not standard.
:
2) Which antidepressant is rapid-acting?
NURS 5359 Exam 2
UT Tyler
1. Fluoxetine is commonly known as:
A. Prozac
B. Advil
C. Ibuprofen
D. Aspirin
Answer: A. Prozac
Rationale: Fluoxetine is the generic name; Prozac is its brand name.
2. Fluoxetine belongs to a class of medications called:
A. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
B. Tricyclic antidepressants
C. Tetracyclic antidepressants
D. NSAIDs
Answer: A. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Rationale: SSRIs inhibit serotonin reuptake, increasing serotonin levels in the synaptic
cleft.
3. Fluoxetine is used to treat:
Depression
II. OCD
III. Bulimia nervosa
A. I, II and III
B. III only
C. I only
D. I and II only
Answer: A. I, II and III
Rationale: Fluoxetine is FDA-approved for depression, OCD, and bulimia nervosa.
4. A deficiency in Norepinephrine (NE) is linked to which of the following symptoms?
A. Heightened emotional reactivity
B. Low energy, reduced motivation, and poor concentration
C. Reduced inhibitory control
D. An over-production of excitatory neurotransmitters
Answer: B. Low energy, reduced motivation, and poor concentration
Rationale: NE deficiency is associated with anergia, decreased attention, and
motivational deficits.
NURS 5359 Exam 2
,5. How does the dysfunction of GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) contribute to mood
disorders?
A. It causes a breakdown of the brain’s main excitatory circuits.
B. It results in a disruption of inhibitory control causing heightened emotional reactivity
C. It leads to low energy and reduced motivation
D. it is not directly related to mood disorders
Answer: B. It results in a disruption of inhibitory control causing heightened emotional
reactivity
Rationale: GABA is the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter; its dysfunction can
increase emotional reactivity and anxiety.
6. According to the Monoamine Hypothesis of Depression, what is the core idea
regarding the cause of depression?
A. A deficiency of GABA, the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter
B. A buildup of stress hormones in the brain
C. An excess of monoamine neurotransmitters
D. A shortage of monoamine neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine
Answer: D. A shortage of monoamine neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and
dopamine
Rationale: Depression is theorized to result from deficits in monoamines like serotonin,
norepinephrine, and dopamine.
7. The slide for Citalopram (Celexa) includes a “Black Box Warning” for increased risk of
suicidal thoughts and behaviors in which patient population?
A. Adults with a history of alcohol abuse
B. Elderly patients with a history of heart conditions
C. Young adults age 24 and under
D. All patients regardless of age
Answer: C. Young adults age 24 and under
Rationale: SSRIs carry an increased risk of suicidal thoughts in individuals under 25.
8. Which of the following SSRIs is preferred for breastfeeding mothers due to its low
transfer into breast milk and minimal infant side effects?
A. Citalopram
B. Fluoxetine
C. Paroxetine
D. Escitalopram
Answer: D. Escitalopram
Rationale: Escitalopram has low transfer into breast milk and minimal infant effects.
NURS 5359 Exam 2
, 9. When switching from an SSRI to a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), how long
should you wait before starting the MAOI to avoid serotonin syndrome?
A. 24 hours
B. 3 days
C. 5 or more elimination half-lives
D. 1 week
Answer: C. 5 or more elimination half-lives
Rationale: To avoid serotonin syndrome, enough time must pass for SSRI clearance; for
fluoxetine, this is usually 5 weeks due to its long half-life.
10. When prescribing SSRIs to pregnant patients, which of the following is considered
the first-line choice due to its favorable safety profile and minimal neonatal
complications?
A. Citalopram
B. Paroxetine
C. Sertraline
D. Escitalopram
Answer: C. Sertraline
Rationale: Sertraline has the most favorable safety profile and lowest neonatal
complications.
5
1) Which SNRIs are considered safe and can be used by pregnant patients and while
breastfeeding?
1. a) dextromethorphan/bupropion
2. b) Venlafaxine
3. c) Duloxetine
4. d) desvenlafaxine
Answer: B. Venlafaxine & C. Duloxetine
Rationale: Venlafaxine and duloxetine are generally considered safe; desvenlafaxine has
limited data; dextromethorphan/bupropion is not standard.
:
2) Which antidepressant is rapid-acting?
NURS 5359 Exam 2
