WGU D345 Psychopharmacology Section Section 3:
Recommend Medications for Mental Health
2026/2027 edition with verified answers
What is true regarding anxiety disorders? - correct
answer>>>Anxiety disorders have symptoms that overlap with
major depression, such as sleep disturbance, fatigue, poor
concentration, and psychomotor symptoms.
The arousal spectrum of sleep and wakefulness affects
neurotransmitters in the brain. Which neurotransmitters are
affected? - correct answer>>>Histamine (HA), dopamine (DA),
acetylcholine (ACh), serotonin (5HT), and norepinephrine (NE).
All five neurotransmitters are affected in the brain's sleep and
wakefulness spectrum.
What are the first-line treatment options for generalized anxiety
disorders (GAD)? - correct answer>>>Selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective serotonin-
norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Antihistamines are popular as over-the-counter sleep aids.
What is diphenhydramine's (Benadryl's) mechanism as a
hypnotic? - correct answer>>>Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is
a histamine 1 receptor antagonist used as a hypnotic and a
muscarinic 1 receptor antagonist with anticholinergic side
effects.
What are the most common withdrawal symptoms when
discontinuing benzodiazepines? - correct answer>>>Anxiety,
restlessness, and short-term insomnia. Short-term insomnia
can persist for days or weeks and be accompanied by anxiety
and restlessness. There are no severe withdrawals with a
planned taper.
The mother of a 13-year-old child reported that her daughter
was constantly worrying. These worries focused on grades and
performance in soccer. The daughter liked to be reassured that
she was doing well in both. She was often irritable, restless,
and unable to fall asleep at night. She also complained of
muscle tightness in her neck and back. The mother asked
about treatment for symptoms that had been ongoing for eight
months. What is the most appropriate diagnosis for a juvenile
,patient? - correct answer>>>Generalized anxiety disorder
(GAD)
Which type of psychotherapy has the highest level of evidence
in the treatment of anxiety disorders? - correct
answer>>>Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
What is the first recommended line of treatment for chronic
insomnia disorder? - correct answer>>>Cognitive behavioral
therapy (CBT)
How many sessions are involved in standard treatment for
cognitive behavioral therapy—insomnia (CBT-I)? - correct
answer>>>6-8 sessions (30-90 minutes in length)
Practice guidelines for adult chronic insomnia recommend
using an orexin receptor agonist before using the second drug
class, benzodiazepine receptor agonist. Which medication is
an orexin receptor antagonist? - correct answer>>>Suvorexant
(Belsomra). It is the first line of treatment and works as an
orexin receptor agonist.
A patient, age 45, has a history of bipolar disorder, generalized
anxiety disorder, and insomnia. The patient presents for an
initial evaluation and assessment and is prescribed lithium 900
mg daily, alprazolam (Xanax) 2 mg twice a day, zolpidem
(Ambien) 10 mg at bedtime, as needed, and hydroxyzine 50
mg twice a day. The patient reports having mood swings and
feeling down. Which medication should a psychiatric mental
health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) adjust for mood swings? -
correct answer>>>Lithium. Lithium is approved for bipolar
disorder, acute manic/mixed, and maintenance.
A patient experiencing persistent insomnia requests a higher
dose of alprazolam (Xanax). A psychiatric mental health nurse
practitioner (PMHNP) realizes the medication is only approved
for treating acute generalized anxiety disorder. The patient
reports that he has taken the same dose for five years.
Everyone on the treatment team, including the patient, agrees
to start a slow titration off Xanax. Because the patient has
been taking this medication for five years, by what percentage
should this PMHNP decrease the medication over the first two
weeks, knowing rebound anxiety is possible? - correct
answer>>>5% every two weeks. A 5% taper every week or two
, weeks is recommended when the patient has taken the
medication for an extended period.
True or False The half-life of zolpidem (Ambien) is 10-12
hours.True or False The half-life of zolpidem (Ambien) is 10-12
hours. - correct answer>>>False. The correct half-life of
zolpidem (Ambien) is 2.5-3.1 hours, not 10-12 hours.
A patient is taking zolpidem (Ambien), but it is the second line
of recommended treatment for insomnia. The patient
unsuccessfully tried melatonin, has improved their sleep and
hygiene, and attends weekly cognitive behavioral therapy for
insomnia (CBT-I therapy). A psychiatric mental health nurse
practitioner (PMHNP) plans to switch to the first line of
recommended treatment. Which medication should be
prescribed? - correct answer>>>Suvorexant (Belsomra).
Suvorexant is the first line of recommended treatment for
insomnia per clinical practice guidelines.
True or False The half-life of clonazepam is 20-50 hours. -
correct answer>>>True
Which mechanism balances dopamine signaling, 5-HT1A
partial agonism, and D2 partial agonism? - correct
answer>>>5HT2A antagonism. It is one of the characteristics
that make second-generation antipsychotics atypical.
How does lithium affect neurotransmitters - correct answer>>>•
Lithium inhibits excitatory neurotransmitters such as dopamine
and glutamate. This supports mood stabilization. • Lithium
supports mood stabilization through the inhibitory effects of two
excitatory neurotransmitters, glutamate and dopamine. •
Lithium promotes GABA-mediated medicated
neurotransmission in the brain. This is believed to be part of
the positive effects of lithium.
Which drug is the most potent for the D3 receptor? - correct
answer>>>Cariprazine (Vraylar) Vraylar acts as either an
agonist or antagonist, depending on the neurotransmitter level.
It has a higher affinity at dopamine D3 receptors and an affinity
at D2.
A patient with bipolar is currently presenting with mixed
features. The patient is noneuphoric and has psychomotor
agitation, impulsivity, irritability, racing thoughts, and
Recommend Medications for Mental Health
2026/2027 edition with verified answers
What is true regarding anxiety disorders? - correct
answer>>>Anxiety disorders have symptoms that overlap with
major depression, such as sleep disturbance, fatigue, poor
concentration, and psychomotor symptoms.
The arousal spectrum of sleep and wakefulness affects
neurotransmitters in the brain. Which neurotransmitters are
affected? - correct answer>>>Histamine (HA), dopamine (DA),
acetylcholine (ACh), serotonin (5HT), and norepinephrine (NE).
All five neurotransmitters are affected in the brain's sleep and
wakefulness spectrum.
What are the first-line treatment options for generalized anxiety
disorders (GAD)? - correct answer>>>Selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective serotonin-
norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Antihistamines are popular as over-the-counter sleep aids.
What is diphenhydramine's (Benadryl's) mechanism as a
hypnotic? - correct answer>>>Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is
a histamine 1 receptor antagonist used as a hypnotic and a
muscarinic 1 receptor antagonist with anticholinergic side
effects.
What are the most common withdrawal symptoms when
discontinuing benzodiazepines? - correct answer>>>Anxiety,
restlessness, and short-term insomnia. Short-term insomnia
can persist for days or weeks and be accompanied by anxiety
and restlessness. There are no severe withdrawals with a
planned taper.
The mother of a 13-year-old child reported that her daughter
was constantly worrying. These worries focused on grades and
performance in soccer. The daughter liked to be reassured that
she was doing well in both. She was often irritable, restless,
and unable to fall asleep at night. She also complained of
muscle tightness in her neck and back. The mother asked
about treatment for symptoms that had been ongoing for eight
months. What is the most appropriate diagnosis for a juvenile
,patient? - correct answer>>>Generalized anxiety disorder
(GAD)
Which type of psychotherapy has the highest level of evidence
in the treatment of anxiety disorders? - correct
answer>>>Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
What is the first recommended line of treatment for chronic
insomnia disorder? - correct answer>>>Cognitive behavioral
therapy (CBT)
How many sessions are involved in standard treatment for
cognitive behavioral therapy—insomnia (CBT-I)? - correct
answer>>>6-8 sessions (30-90 minutes in length)
Practice guidelines for adult chronic insomnia recommend
using an orexin receptor agonist before using the second drug
class, benzodiazepine receptor agonist. Which medication is
an orexin receptor antagonist? - correct answer>>>Suvorexant
(Belsomra). It is the first line of treatment and works as an
orexin receptor agonist.
A patient, age 45, has a history of bipolar disorder, generalized
anxiety disorder, and insomnia. The patient presents for an
initial evaluation and assessment and is prescribed lithium 900
mg daily, alprazolam (Xanax) 2 mg twice a day, zolpidem
(Ambien) 10 mg at bedtime, as needed, and hydroxyzine 50
mg twice a day. The patient reports having mood swings and
feeling down. Which medication should a psychiatric mental
health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) adjust for mood swings? -
correct answer>>>Lithium. Lithium is approved for bipolar
disorder, acute manic/mixed, and maintenance.
A patient experiencing persistent insomnia requests a higher
dose of alprazolam (Xanax). A psychiatric mental health nurse
practitioner (PMHNP) realizes the medication is only approved
for treating acute generalized anxiety disorder. The patient
reports that he has taken the same dose for five years.
Everyone on the treatment team, including the patient, agrees
to start a slow titration off Xanax. Because the patient has
been taking this medication for five years, by what percentage
should this PMHNP decrease the medication over the first two
weeks, knowing rebound anxiety is possible? - correct
answer>>>5% every two weeks. A 5% taper every week or two
, weeks is recommended when the patient has taken the
medication for an extended period.
True or False The half-life of zolpidem (Ambien) is 10-12
hours.True or False The half-life of zolpidem (Ambien) is 10-12
hours. - correct answer>>>False. The correct half-life of
zolpidem (Ambien) is 2.5-3.1 hours, not 10-12 hours.
A patient is taking zolpidem (Ambien), but it is the second line
of recommended treatment for insomnia. The patient
unsuccessfully tried melatonin, has improved their sleep and
hygiene, and attends weekly cognitive behavioral therapy for
insomnia (CBT-I therapy). A psychiatric mental health nurse
practitioner (PMHNP) plans to switch to the first line of
recommended treatment. Which medication should be
prescribed? - correct answer>>>Suvorexant (Belsomra).
Suvorexant is the first line of recommended treatment for
insomnia per clinical practice guidelines.
True or False The half-life of clonazepam is 20-50 hours. -
correct answer>>>True
Which mechanism balances dopamine signaling, 5-HT1A
partial agonism, and D2 partial agonism? - correct
answer>>>5HT2A antagonism. It is one of the characteristics
that make second-generation antipsychotics atypical.
How does lithium affect neurotransmitters - correct answer>>>•
Lithium inhibits excitatory neurotransmitters such as dopamine
and glutamate. This supports mood stabilization. • Lithium
supports mood stabilization through the inhibitory effects of two
excitatory neurotransmitters, glutamate and dopamine. •
Lithium promotes GABA-mediated medicated
neurotransmission in the brain. This is believed to be part of
the positive effects of lithium.
Which drug is the most potent for the D3 receptor? - correct
answer>>>Cariprazine (Vraylar) Vraylar acts as either an
agonist or antagonist, depending on the neurotransmitter level.
It has a higher affinity at dopamine D3 receptors and an affinity
at D2.
A patient with bipolar is currently presenting with mixed
features. The patient is noneuphoric and has psychomotor
agitation, impulsivity, irritability, racing thoughts, and
