NSG 542: Pyschopharmacology Exam
Questions With Answers 100% Verified
Name the major classes of psychopharmacologic drugs mentioned in the text. -
ANSWER Antidepressants, Anxiolytics, Lithium, Antipsychotics, Anticonvulsants,
Psychostimulants.
What are the indications for using antidepressants? - ANSWER Depression, Anxiety,
Chronic pain.
What is the mechanism of action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)? -
ANSWER Inhibition of serotonin reuptake.
What are the drugs of choice for mild depression? - ANSWER Selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
What is the mechanism of action of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
(SNRIs)? - ANSWER Inhibition of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake.
What is the mechanism of action of monoamine oxidase inhibitors? - ANSWER Inhibition
of monoamine oxidase enzyme.
What is the purpose of formulating appropriate anesthetic care plans that address
interactions between psychopharmacologic drugs and anesthetic agents? - ANSWER To
ensure safe and effective anesthesia administration.
What are Selective Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)? - ANSWER They are the most
widely prescribed antidepressants and are the drugs of choice for mild to moderate
depression.
What is the first-line treatment for panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorders? -
ANSWER SSRIs.
What is the mechanism of action of SSRIs? - ANSWER They block the reuptake of
serotonin.
How are SSRIs absorbed? - ANSWER They are well absorbed by the oral route.
What is the peak onset and duration of action of SSRIs? - ANSWER 1-4 weeks.
How long does it take for SSRIs to reach complete effectiveness? - ANSWER It may take
up to 2-4 weeks.
What are some common side effects of SSRIs? - ANSWER Insomnia, agitation,
headache, nausea, diarrhea, and sexual dysfunction.
,What is the black box warning associated with SSRIs? - ANSWER Increased suicidal
tendencies in children and adolescents.
What is a common side effect of SSRIs that occurs after initiation? - ANSWER
Hyponatremia.
What is the most commonly used SSRI? - ANSWER Fluoxetine.
What are some characteristics of fluoxetine? - ANSWER It can suppress appetite, treat
chronic pain, inhibit cytochrome P-450, increase plasma concentrations of drugs
cleared by the liver, and has a long elimination half-life of 3-6 days.
What are some characteristics of sertraline? - ANSWER It is more likely to cause GI side
effects.
What are some characteristics of paroxetine? - ANSWER It has a shorter elimination
half-time, increased incidence of sedation, and potentiates warfarin.
What are some characteristics of fluvoxamine? - ANSWER It is only approved for the
treatment of OCD and has a relatively higher incidence of GI side effects.
What are some characteristics of citalopram/escitalopram? - ANSWER They can cause
dose-dependent increases in QT interval.
What are the side effects associated with Citalopram/escitalopram? - ANSWER Dose
dependent increases in QT interval.
What are the side effects associated with Venlafaxine? - ANSWER Efficacy similar to
tricyclic antidepressants, no anticholinergic effects, postural hypotension.
What are the off-label uses of Duloxetine? - ANSWER Fibromyalgia, Diabetic neuropathy.
What are the structural similarities between Bupropion and amphetamines? - ANSWER
Bupropion is structurally related to amphetamines.
What is the potential risk associated with Bupropion? - ANSWER Potential risk for
seizures (0.4%).
What are the off-label uses of Milnacipran? - ANSWER Off-label use: chronic pain
management.
What are the side effects associated with Trazodone? - ANSWER Sedation, orthostatic
hypotension, priapism.
What are the side effects associated with Nefazodone? - ANSWER Decreased risk of
sedation, priapism, interferes with CP-450.
, What is Serotonin Syndrome? - ANSWER Rare, but life-threatening condition
characterized by increased serotonergic activity in the central and peripheral nervous
systems.
What are the causes of increased serotonin concentrations in the synaptic cleft in
Serotonin Syndrome? - ANSWER Decreased breakdown, increased release, increased
concentrations.
What are the symptoms of serotonin syndrome? - ANSWER Mental status changes,
autonomic instability, increased neuromuscular activity, hyperthermia.
What is the treatment for serotonin syndrome? - ANSWER Mild cases: supportive care.
Benzodiazepines for agitation and tremor. Cyproheptadine, an H1 receptor antagonist,
for anti-serotonergic and anticholinergic effects. Initial dose of 12mg, followed by 2mg
every 2 hours. Maximum dose of 32mg in one day. Maintenance dose of 8mg tid.
What is clonus strongly associated with? - ANSWER Serotonin syndrome.
What are some drugs implicated in serotonin syndrome? - ANSWER SSRIs, tricyclic
antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, lithium, methylene blue, psychostimulants, opioids,
antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin, fluconazole, ritonavir, erythromycin).
What are the criteria for diagnosing serotonin syndrome? - ANSWER Mental status
change, autonomic instability, ↑ neuromuscular activity, hyperthermia
What is the maximum dose of anticholinergic medication that can be given in one day? -
ANSWER 32 mg.
What is the maintenance dose of anticholinergic medication? - ANSWER 8 mg tid.
What is the mechanism of action of SSRIs? - ANSWER Serotonin reuptake inhibition.
Questions With Answers 100% Verified
Name the major classes of psychopharmacologic drugs mentioned in the text. -
ANSWER Antidepressants, Anxiolytics, Lithium, Antipsychotics, Anticonvulsants,
Psychostimulants.
What are the indications for using antidepressants? - ANSWER Depression, Anxiety,
Chronic pain.
What is the mechanism of action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)? -
ANSWER Inhibition of serotonin reuptake.
What are the drugs of choice for mild depression? - ANSWER Selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
What is the mechanism of action of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
(SNRIs)? - ANSWER Inhibition of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake.
What is the mechanism of action of monoamine oxidase inhibitors? - ANSWER Inhibition
of monoamine oxidase enzyme.
What is the purpose of formulating appropriate anesthetic care plans that address
interactions between psychopharmacologic drugs and anesthetic agents? - ANSWER To
ensure safe and effective anesthesia administration.
What are Selective Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)? - ANSWER They are the most
widely prescribed antidepressants and are the drugs of choice for mild to moderate
depression.
What is the first-line treatment for panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorders? -
ANSWER SSRIs.
What is the mechanism of action of SSRIs? - ANSWER They block the reuptake of
serotonin.
How are SSRIs absorbed? - ANSWER They are well absorbed by the oral route.
What is the peak onset and duration of action of SSRIs? - ANSWER 1-4 weeks.
How long does it take for SSRIs to reach complete effectiveness? - ANSWER It may take
up to 2-4 weeks.
What are some common side effects of SSRIs? - ANSWER Insomnia, agitation,
headache, nausea, diarrhea, and sexual dysfunction.
,What is the black box warning associated with SSRIs? - ANSWER Increased suicidal
tendencies in children and adolescents.
What is a common side effect of SSRIs that occurs after initiation? - ANSWER
Hyponatremia.
What is the most commonly used SSRI? - ANSWER Fluoxetine.
What are some characteristics of fluoxetine? - ANSWER It can suppress appetite, treat
chronic pain, inhibit cytochrome P-450, increase plasma concentrations of drugs
cleared by the liver, and has a long elimination half-life of 3-6 days.
What are some characteristics of sertraline? - ANSWER It is more likely to cause GI side
effects.
What are some characteristics of paroxetine? - ANSWER It has a shorter elimination
half-time, increased incidence of sedation, and potentiates warfarin.
What are some characteristics of fluvoxamine? - ANSWER It is only approved for the
treatment of OCD and has a relatively higher incidence of GI side effects.
What are some characteristics of citalopram/escitalopram? - ANSWER They can cause
dose-dependent increases in QT interval.
What are the side effects associated with Citalopram/escitalopram? - ANSWER Dose
dependent increases in QT interval.
What are the side effects associated with Venlafaxine? - ANSWER Efficacy similar to
tricyclic antidepressants, no anticholinergic effects, postural hypotension.
What are the off-label uses of Duloxetine? - ANSWER Fibromyalgia, Diabetic neuropathy.
What are the structural similarities between Bupropion and amphetamines? - ANSWER
Bupropion is structurally related to amphetamines.
What is the potential risk associated with Bupropion? - ANSWER Potential risk for
seizures (0.4%).
What are the off-label uses of Milnacipran? - ANSWER Off-label use: chronic pain
management.
What are the side effects associated with Trazodone? - ANSWER Sedation, orthostatic
hypotension, priapism.
What are the side effects associated with Nefazodone? - ANSWER Decreased risk of
sedation, priapism, interferes with CP-450.
, What is Serotonin Syndrome? - ANSWER Rare, but life-threatening condition
characterized by increased serotonergic activity in the central and peripheral nervous
systems.
What are the causes of increased serotonin concentrations in the synaptic cleft in
Serotonin Syndrome? - ANSWER Decreased breakdown, increased release, increased
concentrations.
What are the symptoms of serotonin syndrome? - ANSWER Mental status changes,
autonomic instability, increased neuromuscular activity, hyperthermia.
What is the treatment for serotonin syndrome? - ANSWER Mild cases: supportive care.
Benzodiazepines for agitation and tremor. Cyproheptadine, an H1 receptor antagonist,
for anti-serotonergic and anticholinergic effects. Initial dose of 12mg, followed by 2mg
every 2 hours. Maximum dose of 32mg in one day. Maintenance dose of 8mg tid.
What is clonus strongly associated with? - ANSWER Serotonin syndrome.
What are some drugs implicated in serotonin syndrome? - ANSWER SSRIs, tricyclic
antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, lithium, methylene blue, psychostimulants, opioids,
antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin, fluconazole, ritonavir, erythromycin).
What are the criteria for diagnosing serotonin syndrome? - ANSWER Mental status
change, autonomic instability, ↑ neuromuscular activity, hyperthermia
What is the maximum dose of anticholinergic medication that can be given in one day? -
ANSWER 32 mg.
What is the maintenance dose of anticholinergic medication? - ANSWER 8 mg tid.
What is the mechanism of action of SSRIs? - ANSWER Serotonin reuptake inhibition.
