COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ACCURATE
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ What 2 classes of medications delay gastric emptying? Answer:
H2 antagonists: Famotidine (Pepcid), PPIs: Omeprazole (Prilosec)
◉ What 2 classes of medications interfere with the absorption of
psychiatric medications and should be spaced apart by 2 hours?
Answer: (Not provided in the input)
◉ What are H2 antagonists? Answer: Famotidine (Pepcid)
◉ What are PPIs? Answer: Omeprazole (Prilosec)
◉ What is a common side effect of SSRIs in the older population?
Answer: Anxiety
◉ What is a paradoxical effect of benzodiazepines? Answer:
Increased anxiety (avoid in future)
,◉ What is apoptosis? Answer: Cell death/neuronal loss
◉ What is the greatest risk factor for bipolar disorder? Answer:
Genetics (very heritable)
◉ What is the first question you ask with a patient with suspected
bipolar disorder? Answer: Family history
◉ What should you consider in a 45-yo patient that presents with
manic symptoms? Answer: Medical condition
◉ At what age should you consider a patient with manic symptoms
to be medically induced? Answer: 45 and older
◉ What are 2 differences between mania and hypomania? Answer:
More severe; Increased duration (7 days vs. 4 days)
◉ A patient that presents with grandiosity or exaggerated self-
esteem is most likely to have? Answer: Mania or hypomania
◉ A patient who is manic, irritable mood, and uncooperative is most
likely to have what disorder? Answer: Bipolar disorder
,◉ What is a key symptom to consider in a patient you suspect of
mania or hypomania? Answer: Grandiosity or exaggerated self-
esteem
◉ What is a hallmark feature of borderline personality disorder?
Answer: Self-harming behavior (recurrent)
◉ What therapy in borderline personality disorder has been shown
to decrease suicidal ideation? Answer: Dialectical Behavior Therapy
(DBT)
◉ Who developed Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)? Answer:
Marsha Linehan
◉ In DBT, what activity is required for diagnosis of borderline
disorder? Answer: Journaling/diary
◉ A patient with borderline personality disorder with symptoms of
depressed mood and lability should be prescribed? Answer: Valproic
acid
◉ When should valproic acid be prescribed in a patient with
borderline personality disorder? Answer: Depressed mood + lability
, ◉ A hospitalized patient with a reaction to a stressful event is most
likely to have what diagnosis? Answer: Adjustment Disorder
◉ A child with a history of juvenile detention (e.g., fire setting,
forced sex) is most likely to have what diagnosis? Answer: Conduct
Disorder
◉ Is a child with ODD or Conduct Disorder more likely to need
medication? Answer: Conduct Disorder
◉ If a child develops tics after beginning a stimulant, should he be
diagnosed with Tourette's? Answer: No (tics caused by a substance
is an exclusionary diagnosis)
◉ Are motor tics permanent? Answer: Not always
◉ What 3 neurotransmitters are involved with Tourette's? Answer:
Dopamine, Norepinephrine, Serotonin
◉ What is factitious disorder imposed on another? Answer:
Munchausen syndrome by proxy, caretakers make up or produce
physical illnesses in the individual receiving care.