NR567 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY FOR THE
AGACNP WEEK 5 2026 TEST PAPER SOLVED
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉ major depressive disorder (MDD)
one of the most common mental disorders
-Approximately 7.1% of adults in the U.S. had episode in last year,
prevalence highest (13.1%) among individuals aged 18-25
S/S
-depressed mood
-loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities
-irritability
-withdrawal
-problems with sleep, eating, energy, concentration, or self-worth
-severe depression: may experience thoughts of suicide or psychotic
symptoms.. Answer: Unipolar depression
◉ Chronic condition characterized by extreme fluctuations in mood,
energy, and ability to function
-Moods may be manic, hypomanic, or depressed and may include
mixed mood or psychotic features
,-many have only experienced only one manic episode in their
lifetime
-Mood fluctuations may be separated by periods of high stability or
may cycle rapidly
-diagnosed when a client has one or more episodes of mania or
hypomania with a history of one or more major depressive episodes
-high risk for suicide. Answer: Bipolar disorder (BD)
◉ characterized by a persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable
mood. Related symptoms may include inflated self-esteem,
increased goal-directed activity or energy, including grandiosity,
decreased need for sleep, excessive talkativeness, racing thoughts,
flight of ideas (FOI), distractibility, psychomotor agitation, and a
propensity to be involved in high-risk activities. Mania leads to
significant functional impairment and may include psychotic
features or necessitate hospitalization. Answer: mania
◉ requires at least one episode of mania for at least one week (or
any duration if hospitalization due to symptoms is required).
Answer: Bipolar Type I:
◉ diagnosis requires a current or past hypomanic episode and a
current or past major depressive episode. Symptoms last for at least
4 days but fewer than seven.
,-Hypomanic symptoms are not of sufficient duration or severity to
cause significant functional impairment, psychosis, or
hospitalization.
-Anger and irritability are common.
-Clients often enjoy the elevation of mood and are reluctant to report
these symptoms, making bipolar more difficult to diagnose if the
client presents in the depression phase.. Answer: Bipolar Type II:
◉ involves the chronic presentation of hypomanic and depressive
symptoms that do not meet the diagnostic criteria for a major
depressive or manic/hypomanic episode.. Answer: Cyclothymia:
◉ antidepressant therapy may precipitate a manic episode or induce
rapid-cycling bipolar depression
-may contribute to the increased incidence of death by suicide in
children and adults younger than 25. Answer: If bipolar depression
is mistaken for MDD:
◉ monotherapy
-Antidepressants should be combined with a mood stabilizer to
prevent the onset of a hypomanic or manic episode. Answer:
Antidepressants are used cautiously in clients with bipolar disorder
and never as ________________.
◉ Decreased positive affect:
, depressed mood
loss of joy
lack of interest
loss of energy
decreased alertness
decreased self-confidence
appetite changes. Answer: DA, NE Dysfunction causes what mood
related symptoms
◉ Increased negative affect:
depressed mood
guilt
fear/anxiety
hostility
irritability
loneliness
appetite changes. Answer: 5HT, NE Dysfunction causes what mood
related symptoms
◉ -depression occurs as a result of a deficiency of one or all three
monoamine transmitters
• serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine
AGACNP WEEK 5 2026 TEST PAPER SOLVED
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉ major depressive disorder (MDD)
one of the most common mental disorders
-Approximately 7.1% of adults in the U.S. had episode in last year,
prevalence highest (13.1%) among individuals aged 18-25
S/S
-depressed mood
-loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities
-irritability
-withdrawal
-problems with sleep, eating, energy, concentration, or self-worth
-severe depression: may experience thoughts of suicide or psychotic
symptoms.. Answer: Unipolar depression
◉ Chronic condition characterized by extreme fluctuations in mood,
energy, and ability to function
-Moods may be manic, hypomanic, or depressed and may include
mixed mood or psychotic features
,-many have only experienced only one manic episode in their
lifetime
-Mood fluctuations may be separated by periods of high stability or
may cycle rapidly
-diagnosed when a client has one or more episodes of mania or
hypomania with a history of one or more major depressive episodes
-high risk for suicide. Answer: Bipolar disorder (BD)
◉ characterized by a persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable
mood. Related symptoms may include inflated self-esteem,
increased goal-directed activity or energy, including grandiosity,
decreased need for sleep, excessive talkativeness, racing thoughts,
flight of ideas (FOI), distractibility, psychomotor agitation, and a
propensity to be involved in high-risk activities. Mania leads to
significant functional impairment and may include psychotic
features or necessitate hospitalization. Answer: mania
◉ requires at least one episode of mania for at least one week (or
any duration if hospitalization due to symptoms is required).
Answer: Bipolar Type I:
◉ diagnosis requires a current or past hypomanic episode and a
current or past major depressive episode. Symptoms last for at least
4 days but fewer than seven.
,-Hypomanic symptoms are not of sufficient duration or severity to
cause significant functional impairment, psychosis, or
hospitalization.
-Anger and irritability are common.
-Clients often enjoy the elevation of mood and are reluctant to report
these symptoms, making bipolar more difficult to diagnose if the
client presents in the depression phase.. Answer: Bipolar Type II:
◉ involves the chronic presentation of hypomanic and depressive
symptoms that do not meet the diagnostic criteria for a major
depressive or manic/hypomanic episode.. Answer: Cyclothymia:
◉ antidepressant therapy may precipitate a manic episode or induce
rapid-cycling bipolar depression
-may contribute to the increased incidence of death by suicide in
children and adults younger than 25. Answer: If bipolar depression
is mistaken for MDD:
◉ monotherapy
-Antidepressants should be combined with a mood stabilizer to
prevent the onset of a hypomanic or manic episode. Answer:
Antidepressants are used cautiously in clients with bipolar disorder
and never as ________________.
◉ Decreased positive affect:
, depressed mood
loss of joy
lack of interest
loss of energy
decreased alertness
decreased self-confidence
appetite changes. Answer: DA, NE Dysfunction causes what mood
related symptoms
◉ Increased negative affect:
depressed mood
guilt
fear/anxiety
hostility
irritability
loneliness
appetite changes. Answer: 5HT, NE Dysfunction causes what mood
related symptoms
◉ -depression occurs as a result of a deficiency of one or all three
monoamine transmitters
• serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine
