NR 546 Week 5 Antidepressant Medications Quiz 2026 |Chamberlain
1. Which mechanism of action is primarily responsible for the therapeutic effect
of SSRIs?
A. Inhibition of norepinephrine reuptake
B. Inhibition of serotonin reuptake through the SERT transporter
C. Antagonism of alpha-2 receptors
D. Irreversible inhibition of monoamine oxidase
Answer: B
Rationale: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) primarily work by blocking the
serotonin transporter (SERT), leading to increased serotonin levels in the synaptic cleft.
2. Which antidepressant is known for its exceptionally long half-life, requiring a
longer washout period?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Paroxetine
C. Sertraline
D. Escitalopram
Answer: A
Rationale: Fluoxetine has a very long half-life (several days) and its active metabolite,
norfluoxetine, can last for weeks, requiring a 5-week washout before starting an MAOI.
,3. Which medication is classified as an NDRI (Norepinephrine-Dopamine
Reuptake Inhibitor)?
A. Venlafaxine
B. Duloxetine
C. Bupropion
D. Mirtazapine
Answer: C
Rationale: Bupropion inhibits the reuptake of both norepinephrine and dopamine, making
it unique compared to SSRIs or SNRIs.
4. What is the specific FDA Black Box Warning associated with all antidepressant
medications?
A. Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults
B. Risk of hepatotoxicity in elderly patients
C. Increased risk of hypertensive crisis
D. Risk of sudden cardiac arrest
Answer: A
Rationale: The Black Box Warning alerts clinicians to the increased risk of suicidal ideation
and behavior in patients aged 24 and younger during the initial phases of treatment.
5. Venlafaxine (Effexor) acts primarily as an SSRI at low doses. At what dose
range does its norepinephrine reuptake inhibition typically begin?
A. Below 75 mg/day
B. Only at doses above 150 mg/day
C. Between 37.5 and 75 mg/day
D. It does not have norepinephrine activity
Answer: B
, Rationale: Venlafaxine is dose-dependent; at low doses it acts like an SSRI, and its SNRI
properties (norepinephrine inhibition) become clinically significant at doses of 150 mg or
higher.
6. Which SNRI is frequently utilized for the treatment of chronic pain conditions
like fibromyalgia and diabetic peripheral neuropathy?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Escitalopram
C. Sertraline
D. Duloxetine
Answer: D
Rationale: Duloxetine (Cymbalta) is FDA-approved for both depression and various
chronic pain syndromes due to its dual action on serotonin and norepinephrine.
7. Which side effect is a major concern with Bupropion, particularly at high
doses or in patients with eating disorders?
A. Weight gain
B. Sexual dysfunction
C. Seizures
D. Sedation
Answer: C
Rationale: Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold and is contraindicated in patients with
seizure disorders or a history of anorexia/bulimia due to increased seizure risk.
1. Which mechanism of action is primarily responsible for the therapeutic effect
of SSRIs?
A. Inhibition of norepinephrine reuptake
B. Inhibition of serotonin reuptake through the SERT transporter
C. Antagonism of alpha-2 receptors
D. Irreversible inhibition of monoamine oxidase
Answer: B
Rationale: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) primarily work by blocking the
serotonin transporter (SERT), leading to increased serotonin levels in the synaptic cleft.
2. Which antidepressant is known for its exceptionally long half-life, requiring a
longer washout period?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Paroxetine
C. Sertraline
D. Escitalopram
Answer: A
Rationale: Fluoxetine has a very long half-life (several days) and its active metabolite,
norfluoxetine, can last for weeks, requiring a 5-week washout before starting an MAOI.
,3. Which medication is classified as an NDRI (Norepinephrine-Dopamine
Reuptake Inhibitor)?
A. Venlafaxine
B. Duloxetine
C. Bupropion
D. Mirtazapine
Answer: C
Rationale: Bupropion inhibits the reuptake of both norepinephrine and dopamine, making
it unique compared to SSRIs or SNRIs.
4. What is the specific FDA Black Box Warning associated with all antidepressant
medications?
A. Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults
B. Risk of hepatotoxicity in elderly patients
C. Increased risk of hypertensive crisis
D. Risk of sudden cardiac arrest
Answer: A
Rationale: The Black Box Warning alerts clinicians to the increased risk of suicidal ideation
and behavior in patients aged 24 and younger during the initial phases of treatment.
5. Venlafaxine (Effexor) acts primarily as an SSRI at low doses. At what dose
range does its norepinephrine reuptake inhibition typically begin?
A. Below 75 mg/day
B. Only at doses above 150 mg/day
C. Between 37.5 and 75 mg/day
D. It does not have norepinephrine activity
Answer: B
, Rationale: Venlafaxine is dose-dependent; at low doses it acts like an SSRI, and its SNRI
properties (norepinephrine inhibition) become clinically significant at doses of 150 mg or
higher.
6. Which SNRI is frequently utilized for the treatment of chronic pain conditions
like fibromyalgia and diabetic peripheral neuropathy?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Escitalopram
C. Sertraline
D. Duloxetine
Answer: D
Rationale: Duloxetine (Cymbalta) is FDA-approved for both depression and various
chronic pain syndromes due to its dual action on serotonin and norepinephrine.
7. Which side effect is a major concern with Bupropion, particularly at high
doses or in patients with eating disorders?
A. Weight gain
B. Sexual dysfunction
C. Seizures
D. Sedation
Answer: C
Rationale: Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold and is contraindicated in patients with
seizure disorders or a history of anorexia/bulimia due to increased seizure risk.
