NSG 533 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY TEST 1
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES LATEST UPDATE
A 26-year-old patient with a first episode of depression has been treated
with duloxetine 60 mg twice daily for the past 4 months. The patient would
like to discontinue treatment. The patient should be told that they need at
least _____full months of antidepressant therapy after reaching full
remission.
A. 3
B. 6
C. 9
D. 12 - ANSWER>>B
Which of the side effects of trazodone for the treatment of depression is
most frequently observed? A. Hematuria
B. Delayed orgasm
C. Priapism
D. Orthostasis - ANSWER>>D
An antidepressant that may be dangerous in overdose is
A. Mirtazapine
,B. Amitriptyline
C. Fluoxetine
D. Escitalopram - ANSWER>>B
A 28-year-old man with a history of depression has been taking sertraline
200 mg daily for 12 weeks with no response. The patient has no other
complaints. The physician asks for your recommendation. The most
reasonable recommendation would be to:
A. Increase sertraline
B. Add fluoxetine
C. Switch to amitriptyline
D. Change to venlafaxine - ANSWER>>D
AS is an 18-year-old woman hospitalized for the fourth time for major
depressive disorder. On this occasion, AS was admitted for suicidal
ideation. Her other symptoms include loss of appetite, insomnia, decreased
energy, increased agitation, and anhedonia for the past 2 months. Although
she did well her first semester of college, AS "partied: a lot and broke up
with a new boyfriend. Two months ago, AS refused to go back to college
after the winter holidays. She does not have any other medical problems.
AS's mother and grandfather have a history of bipolar illness, and her
father has a history of substance abuse. AS's symptoms meet the criteria
for major depressive disorder based upon the fact that she has:
A. A history of mania
B. A history of substance abuse
Page 2 of 37
,C. Felt suicidal and had four target symptoms for more than 10 days
D. Had a loss of pleasure and four target symptoms for more than 2 weeks.
- ANSWER>>D
A 38-year-old male is diagnosed with major depressive disorder by his
general practitioner. His symptoms include depressed mood, insomnia,
decreased appetite, and poor concentration. He denies suicidal ideation.
The patient remembers that his mother and brother responded well to
venlafaxine in the past, and he would like to try the same medication.
Which of the following monitoring parameters would be the most important
to follow on this medication? A. Blood pressure
B. White blood cell count 7
C. Electrocardiogram
D. Potassium levels 8 - ANSWER>>A
Which of the following statements regarding panic disorder is true?
A. Panic attacks are expected and have an identifiable trigger
B. Panic attacks usually peak in intensity in about 1 hour.
C. Agoraphobia is always present.
D. It is more common in men.
E. Panic symptoms are self-limiting in duration. - ANSWER>>E
Which of the following substances/medications would not be expected to
contribute to panic anxiety?
A. Albuterol
Page 3 of 37
, B. Olanzapine
C. Cannabis
D. Phenylephrine
E. Caffeine - ANSWER>>B
Pregabalin is a preferred treatment for a patient with GAD and a history of
which of the following? A. Comorbid depression
B. Alcohol dependence
C. Did not tolerate SSRIs
D. Renal impairment
E. Nonadherence - ANSWER>>C
The following treatment would be preferred for a 12-year-old with SAD.
A. Alprazolam
B. Fluoxetine
C. Pregabalin
D. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
E. Individual supportive psychotherapy - ANSWER>>D
Which of the following statements is true regarding quetiapine in the
treatment of anxiety disorders?
A. Is effective for treatment of panic disorder
B. Is associated with weight gain, sedation, and fatigue
C. Is effective in doses above 300 mg/day
Page 4 of 37
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES LATEST UPDATE
A 26-year-old patient with a first episode of depression has been treated
with duloxetine 60 mg twice daily for the past 4 months. The patient would
like to discontinue treatment. The patient should be told that they need at
least _____full months of antidepressant therapy after reaching full
remission.
A. 3
B. 6
C. 9
D. 12 - ANSWER>>B
Which of the side effects of trazodone for the treatment of depression is
most frequently observed? A. Hematuria
B. Delayed orgasm
C. Priapism
D. Orthostasis - ANSWER>>D
An antidepressant that may be dangerous in overdose is
A. Mirtazapine
,B. Amitriptyline
C. Fluoxetine
D. Escitalopram - ANSWER>>B
A 28-year-old man with a history of depression has been taking sertraline
200 mg daily for 12 weeks with no response. The patient has no other
complaints. The physician asks for your recommendation. The most
reasonable recommendation would be to:
A. Increase sertraline
B. Add fluoxetine
C. Switch to amitriptyline
D. Change to venlafaxine - ANSWER>>D
AS is an 18-year-old woman hospitalized for the fourth time for major
depressive disorder. On this occasion, AS was admitted for suicidal
ideation. Her other symptoms include loss of appetite, insomnia, decreased
energy, increased agitation, and anhedonia for the past 2 months. Although
she did well her first semester of college, AS "partied: a lot and broke up
with a new boyfriend. Two months ago, AS refused to go back to college
after the winter holidays. She does not have any other medical problems.
AS's mother and grandfather have a history of bipolar illness, and her
father has a history of substance abuse. AS's symptoms meet the criteria
for major depressive disorder based upon the fact that she has:
A. A history of mania
B. A history of substance abuse
Page 2 of 37
,C. Felt suicidal and had four target symptoms for more than 10 days
D. Had a loss of pleasure and four target symptoms for more than 2 weeks.
- ANSWER>>D
A 38-year-old male is diagnosed with major depressive disorder by his
general practitioner. His symptoms include depressed mood, insomnia,
decreased appetite, and poor concentration. He denies suicidal ideation.
The patient remembers that his mother and brother responded well to
venlafaxine in the past, and he would like to try the same medication.
Which of the following monitoring parameters would be the most important
to follow on this medication? A. Blood pressure
B. White blood cell count 7
C. Electrocardiogram
D. Potassium levels 8 - ANSWER>>A
Which of the following statements regarding panic disorder is true?
A. Panic attacks are expected and have an identifiable trigger
B. Panic attacks usually peak in intensity in about 1 hour.
C. Agoraphobia is always present.
D. It is more common in men.
E. Panic symptoms are self-limiting in duration. - ANSWER>>E
Which of the following substances/medications would not be expected to
contribute to panic anxiety?
A. Albuterol
Page 3 of 37
, B. Olanzapine
C. Cannabis
D. Phenylephrine
E. Caffeine - ANSWER>>B
Pregabalin is a preferred treatment for a patient with GAD and a history of
which of the following? A. Comorbid depression
B. Alcohol dependence
C. Did not tolerate SSRIs
D. Renal impairment
E. Nonadherence - ANSWER>>C
The following treatment would be preferred for a 12-year-old with SAD.
A. Alprazolam
B. Fluoxetine
C. Pregabalin
D. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
E. Individual supportive psychotherapy - ANSWER>>D
Which of the following statements is true regarding quetiapine in the
treatment of anxiety disorders?
A. Is effective for treatment of panic disorder
B. Is associated with weight gain, sedation, and fatigue
C. Is effective in doses above 300 mg/day
Page 4 of 37
