NSG 322 Exam 1 Drugs - (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Antidepressant
Pharmacology | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers)
Subject: Pharmacology / Antidepressant Medications
Source: NSG 322 Exam 1 – Drug Review
Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
1: What is the FDA black box warning for all antidepressants?
Correct Answer: All antidepressants increase suicide risk for children and adolescents. Requires close
monitoring.
1. Risk highest during first 1-2 months of treatment and dose changes.
2. Monitor weekly for first month.
3. Benefits outweigh risks for most patients.
2: What is the action of SSRIs?
Correct Answer: Blocks re-uptake of serotonin = increased availability of serotonin.
1. Selectively inhibits serotonin transporter (SERT).
2. Increases synaptic serotonin levels.
3. Therapeutic effect takes 2-4 weeks.
3: What are the uses for SSRIs with depression?
Correct Answer: Treats depression with anxiety features or psychomotor agitation. Anxiety disorders -
OCD, panic disorder.
1. First-line for depression and most anxiety disorders.
2. Effective for OCD at higher doses.
3. Also used for PTSD, social anxiety, panic disorder.
4: What is the first line of treatment in depression?
Correct Answer: SSRIs.
1. Best safety profile in overdose.
2. Fewer anticholinergic side effects than TCAs.
3. Better tolerated than older antidepressants.
, 5: What are common adverse reactions of SSRIs?
Correct Answer: Those that enhance synaptic serotonin: Agitation, anxiety, sleep disturbance, tremor,
sexual dysfunction (anorgasmia), tension headache. Autonomic reactions: Dry mouth, sweating, weight
change, mild nausea, loose bowel movements.
1. Sexual dysfunction common (delayed ejaculation, anorgasmia).
2. GI symptoms often transient.
3. Weight gain more common with long-term use.
6: What is the main toxic effect of SSRIs?
Correct Answer: Serotonin Syndrome.
1. Caused by excess serotonin in CNS.
2. Can be life-threatening.
3. Requires immediate discontinuation of serotonergic agents.
7: What is serotonin syndrome?
Correct Answer: Overreaction of central serotonin receptors caused either by too high a dose or
interaction with other drugs.
1. Often caused by combining SSRIs with MAOIs.
2. Also with St. John's Wort, triptans, linezolid.
3. Spectrum of severity from mild to fatal.
8: What are symptoms of Serotonin syndrome?
Correct Answer: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, sweating, fever, tachycardia, elevated BP, altered mental
state, myoclonus, increased motor activity, hostility, irritability, mood change.
1. Autonomic instability: hyperthermia, tachycardia, labile BP.
2. Neuromuscular: clonus, hyperreflexia, rigidity.
3. Cognitive: confusion, agitation, delirium.
9: What are clinical manifestations of Serotonin syndrome?
Correct Answer: Hyperpyrexia (extremely high fever), CV shock, Death.
1. Medical emergency.
2. Mortality rate up to 10% if severe.
3. Treatment: supportive care, benzodiazepines, cyproheptadine.
10: What to not take to prevent serotonin syndrome?
Correct Answer: MAOIs. Discontinue SSRIs 2-5 weeks before starting MAOI.
1. Washout period depends on SSRI half-life.
2. Fluoxetine requires longest washout (5 weeks).
3. Shortest washout for sertraline (2 weeks).
Pharmacology | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers)
Subject: Pharmacology / Antidepressant Medications
Source: NSG 322 Exam 1 – Drug Review
Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
1: What is the FDA black box warning for all antidepressants?
Correct Answer: All antidepressants increase suicide risk for children and adolescents. Requires close
monitoring.
1. Risk highest during first 1-2 months of treatment and dose changes.
2. Monitor weekly for first month.
3. Benefits outweigh risks for most patients.
2: What is the action of SSRIs?
Correct Answer: Blocks re-uptake of serotonin = increased availability of serotonin.
1. Selectively inhibits serotonin transporter (SERT).
2. Increases synaptic serotonin levels.
3. Therapeutic effect takes 2-4 weeks.
3: What are the uses for SSRIs with depression?
Correct Answer: Treats depression with anxiety features or psychomotor agitation. Anxiety disorders -
OCD, panic disorder.
1. First-line for depression and most anxiety disorders.
2. Effective for OCD at higher doses.
3. Also used for PTSD, social anxiety, panic disorder.
4: What is the first line of treatment in depression?
Correct Answer: SSRIs.
1. Best safety profile in overdose.
2. Fewer anticholinergic side effects than TCAs.
3. Better tolerated than older antidepressants.
, 5: What are common adverse reactions of SSRIs?
Correct Answer: Those that enhance synaptic serotonin: Agitation, anxiety, sleep disturbance, tremor,
sexual dysfunction (anorgasmia), tension headache. Autonomic reactions: Dry mouth, sweating, weight
change, mild nausea, loose bowel movements.
1. Sexual dysfunction common (delayed ejaculation, anorgasmia).
2. GI symptoms often transient.
3. Weight gain more common with long-term use.
6: What is the main toxic effect of SSRIs?
Correct Answer: Serotonin Syndrome.
1. Caused by excess serotonin in CNS.
2. Can be life-threatening.
3. Requires immediate discontinuation of serotonergic agents.
7: What is serotonin syndrome?
Correct Answer: Overreaction of central serotonin receptors caused either by too high a dose or
interaction with other drugs.
1. Often caused by combining SSRIs with MAOIs.
2. Also with St. John's Wort, triptans, linezolid.
3. Spectrum of severity from mild to fatal.
8: What are symptoms of Serotonin syndrome?
Correct Answer: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, sweating, fever, tachycardia, elevated BP, altered mental
state, myoclonus, increased motor activity, hostility, irritability, mood change.
1. Autonomic instability: hyperthermia, tachycardia, labile BP.
2. Neuromuscular: clonus, hyperreflexia, rigidity.
3. Cognitive: confusion, agitation, delirium.
9: What are clinical manifestations of Serotonin syndrome?
Correct Answer: Hyperpyrexia (extremely high fever), CV shock, Death.
1. Medical emergency.
2. Mortality rate up to 10% if severe.
3. Treatment: supportive care, benzodiazepines, cyproheptadine.
10: What to not take to prevent serotonin syndrome?
Correct Answer: MAOIs. Discontinue SSRIs 2-5 weeks before starting MAOI.
1. Washout period depends on SSRI half-life.
2. Fluoxetine requires longest washout (5 weeks).
3. Shortest washout for sertraline (2 weeks).
