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NR 546 Final Exam Advanced Pharmacology
Psychopharmacology PMHNP 2026/2027 Actual Exam
Questions with Verified Answers and Detailed
Rationales NGN Grade A+
1. Which of the following are pharmacologic treatments for bipolar disorder? (Select
All That Apply)
A. Lithium
B. Anticonvulsants
C. Second-generation antipsychotics
D. SSRIs as monotherapy
Correct Answer: Lithium, Anticonvulsants, Second-generation antipsychotics
Rationale: First-line pharmacologic treatments for bipolar disorder include lithium,
anticonvulsants (valproate, lamotrigine, carbamazepine), and second-generation
antipsychotics. SSRIs are not used as monotherapy due to risk of precipitating mania.
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2. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common mental disorders.
Approximately what percentage of adults in the U.S. had an episode in the last year?
A. 3.5%
B. 7.1%
C. 10.5%
D. 15.2%
Correct Answer: 7.1%
Rationale: Approximately 7.1% of adults in the U.S. had a major depressive episode in
the last year, with the highest prevalence (13.1%) among individuals aged 18-25.
3. Symptoms of major depressive disorder include which of the following? (Select All
That Apply)
A. Depressed mood
B. Loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities
C. Irritability and withdrawal
D. Increased energy and alertness
Correct Answer: Depressed mood, Loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities,
Irritability and withdrawal
Rationale: MDD symptoms include depressed mood, anhedonia, irritability, withdrawal,
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sleep/eating disturbances, and concentration problems. Increased energy is not a
symptom of depression.
4. Bipolar disorder is diagnosed when a client has:
A. Only depressive episodes
B. One or more episodes of mania or hypomania with a history of one or more major
depressive episodes
C. Only manic episodes
D. Cyclothymia without major depressive episodes
Correct Answer: One or more episodes of mania or hypomania with a history of
one or more major depressive episodes
Rationale: Bipolar disorder is diagnosed when a client has one or more episodes of
mania or hypomania with a history of one or more major depressive episodes.
5. Mania is characterized by which of the following symptoms? (Select All That Apply)
A. Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
B. Decreased need for sleep
C. Excessive talkativeness
D. Depressed mood
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Correct Answer: Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, Decreased need for sleep,
Excessive talkativeness
Rationale: Mania symptoms include grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, pressured
speech, racing thoughts, distractibility, and involvement in high-risk activities.
6. Bipolar Type I requires at least one episode of mania for at least:
A. 4 days
B. 1 week (or any duration if hospitalization is required)
C. 2 weeks
D. 1 month
Correct Answer: 1 week (or any duration if hospitalization is required)
Rationale: Bipolar I requires at least one manic episode lasting at least one week, or any
duration if hospitalization is required due to symptom severity.
7. Bipolar Type II diagnosis requires a current or past hypomanic episode and a current
or past major depressive episode. Hypomanic symptoms last for at least:
A. 2 days
B. 4 days (but fewer than 7 days)
NR 546 Final Exam Advanced Pharmacology
Psychopharmacology PMHNP 2026/2027 Actual Exam
Questions with Verified Answers and Detailed
Rationales NGN Grade A+
1. Which of the following are pharmacologic treatments for bipolar disorder? (Select
All That Apply)
A. Lithium
B. Anticonvulsants
C. Second-generation antipsychotics
D. SSRIs as monotherapy
Correct Answer: Lithium, Anticonvulsants, Second-generation antipsychotics
Rationale: First-line pharmacologic treatments for bipolar disorder include lithium,
anticonvulsants (valproate, lamotrigine, carbamazepine), and second-generation
antipsychotics. SSRIs are not used as monotherapy due to risk of precipitating mania.
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2. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common mental disorders.
Approximately what percentage of adults in the U.S. had an episode in the last year?
A. 3.5%
B. 7.1%
C. 10.5%
D. 15.2%
Correct Answer: 7.1%
Rationale: Approximately 7.1% of adults in the U.S. had a major depressive episode in
the last year, with the highest prevalence (13.1%) among individuals aged 18-25.
3. Symptoms of major depressive disorder include which of the following? (Select All
That Apply)
A. Depressed mood
B. Loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities
C. Irritability and withdrawal
D. Increased energy and alertness
Correct Answer: Depressed mood, Loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities,
Irritability and withdrawal
Rationale: MDD symptoms include depressed mood, anhedonia, irritability, withdrawal,
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sleep/eating disturbances, and concentration problems. Increased energy is not a
symptom of depression.
4. Bipolar disorder is diagnosed when a client has:
A. Only depressive episodes
B. One or more episodes of mania or hypomania with a history of one or more major
depressive episodes
C. Only manic episodes
D. Cyclothymia without major depressive episodes
Correct Answer: One or more episodes of mania or hypomania with a history of
one or more major depressive episodes
Rationale: Bipolar disorder is diagnosed when a client has one or more episodes of
mania or hypomania with a history of one or more major depressive episodes.
5. Mania is characterized by which of the following symptoms? (Select All That Apply)
A. Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
B. Decreased need for sleep
C. Excessive talkativeness
D. Depressed mood
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Correct Answer: Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, Decreased need for sleep,
Excessive talkativeness
Rationale: Mania symptoms include grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, pressured
speech, racing thoughts, distractibility, and involvement in high-risk activities.
6. Bipolar Type I requires at least one episode of mania for at least:
A. 4 days
B. 1 week (or any duration if hospitalization is required)
C. 2 weeks
D. 1 month
Correct Answer: 1 week (or any duration if hospitalization is required)
Rationale: Bipolar I requires at least one manic episode lasting at least one week, or any
duration if hospitalization is required due to symptom severity.
7. Bipolar Type II diagnosis requires a current or past hypomanic episode and a current
or past major depressive episode. Hypomanic symptoms last for at least:
A. 2 days
B. 4 days (but fewer than 7 days)
