NURS 752 Exam 3 – Clinical Psychopharmacology
Practice Questions & Answers
This comprehensive practice exam for NURS 752 – Clinical Psychopharmacology at
Liberty University includes 130 high-yield multiple choice, true/false, and case-based
questions with detailed answers and rationales. Designed for PMHNP and advanced
nursing students preparing for exams or board certification. Topics include
antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics, stimulants, lifespan
considerations, and psychopharmacological clinical reasoning.
1. Which antidepressant is least likely to cause sexual dysfunction?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Sertraline
C. Bupropion
D. Paroxetine
Answer: C
Explanation: Bupropion is a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI) and
has minimal sexual side effects compared to SSRIs.
2. Which mood stabilizer is most associated with thyroid abnormalities?
A. Lithium
B. Lamotrigine
C. Valproate
D. Carbamazepine
Answer: A
Explanation: Lithium is known to cause hypothyroidism and requires regular TSH
monitoring.
3. Risperidone is more likely to cause which side effect?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
C. Weight loss
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B
Explanation: At higher doses, risperidone can cause EPS due to D2 receptor antagonism.
,4. Benzodiazepines act primarily on which neurotransmitter?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. GABA
D. Norepinephrine
Answer: C
Explanation: Benzodiazepines enhance the effect of GABA at GABA-A receptors.
5. A 68-year-old with depression is started on nortriptyline. What is the primary
concern?
A. Hepatic toxicity
B. Cardiotoxicity
C. Visual disturbances
D. Diarrhea
Answer: B
Explanation: TCAs can lead to cardiotoxic effects, especially in elderly patients.
6. Which medication is a dopamine partial agonist?
A. Olanzapine
B. Risperidone
C. Aripiprazole
D. Quetiapine
Answer: C
Explanation: Aripiprazole is a dopamine D2 partial agonist used in schizophrenia and
bipolar disorder.
7. Which antipsychotic has the highest risk of agranulocytosis?
A. Clozapine
B. Olanzapine
C. Ziprasidone
D. Lurasidone
Answer: A
Explanation: Clozapine requires regular ANC monitoring due to agranulocytosis risk.
8. Which SSRI has the longest half-life?
A. Paroxetine
,B. Escitalopram
C. Sertraline
D. Fluoxetine
Answer: D
Explanation: Fluoxetine has a long half-life and active metabolite (norfluoxetine),
making it ideal for tapering.
9. Which is a sign of lithium toxicity?
A. Euphoria
B. Fine hand tremor
C. Seizures
D. Constipation
Answer: C
Explanation: Severe toxicity includes seizures and neurologic impairment; serum levels
must be monitored.
10. Valproate is contraindicated in which population?
A. Elderly
B. Pregnant women
C. Adolescents
D. Obese patients
Answer: B
Explanation: Valproate is teratogenic and should be avoided in pregnancy.
11. Which SSRI is approved for pediatric depression?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Paroxetine
C. Sertraline
D. Fluvoxamine
Answer: A
Explanation: Fluoxetine is the only SSRI FDA-approved for use in pediatric depression.
12. Which antidepressant requires dietary restrictions?
A. Venlafaxine
B. Phenelzine
C. Bupropion
D. Mirtazapine
, Answer: B
Explanation: Phenelzine is an MAOI and must not be taken with tyramine-rich foods.
13. First-line treatment for acute mania is:
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lithium
C. Bupropion
D. Buspirone
Answer: B
Explanation: Lithium is a first-line agent for acute mania.
14. Neurotransmitter most involved in schizophrenia pathophysiology?
A. Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. Acetylcholine
D. Norepinephrine
Answer: B
Explanation: Dopamine dysregulation is central to schizophrenia, especially excess in
mesolimbic pathway.
15. Which antipsychotic causes hyperprolactinemia?
A. Clozapine
B. Risperidone
C. Aripiprazole
D. Olanzapine
Answer: B
Explanation: Risperidone strongly antagonizes dopamine in the tuberoinfundibular
pathway.
16. Safest mood stabilizer in pregnancy?
A. Valproic acid
B. Lithium
C. Lamotrigine
D. Carbamazepine
Answer: C
Explanation: Lamotrigine is preferred in pregnancy due to its lower teratogenic risk.
Practice Questions & Answers
This comprehensive practice exam for NURS 752 – Clinical Psychopharmacology at
Liberty University includes 130 high-yield multiple choice, true/false, and case-based
questions with detailed answers and rationales. Designed for PMHNP and advanced
nursing students preparing for exams or board certification. Topics include
antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics, stimulants, lifespan
considerations, and psychopharmacological clinical reasoning.
1. Which antidepressant is least likely to cause sexual dysfunction?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Sertraline
C. Bupropion
D. Paroxetine
Answer: C
Explanation: Bupropion is a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI) and
has minimal sexual side effects compared to SSRIs.
2. Which mood stabilizer is most associated with thyroid abnormalities?
A. Lithium
B. Lamotrigine
C. Valproate
D. Carbamazepine
Answer: A
Explanation: Lithium is known to cause hypothyroidism and requires regular TSH
monitoring.
3. Risperidone is more likely to cause which side effect?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
C. Weight loss
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B
Explanation: At higher doses, risperidone can cause EPS due to D2 receptor antagonism.
,4. Benzodiazepines act primarily on which neurotransmitter?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. GABA
D. Norepinephrine
Answer: C
Explanation: Benzodiazepines enhance the effect of GABA at GABA-A receptors.
5. A 68-year-old with depression is started on nortriptyline. What is the primary
concern?
A. Hepatic toxicity
B. Cardiotoxicity
C. Visual disturbances
D. Diarrhea
Answer: B
Explanation: TCAs can lead to cardiotoxic effects, especially in elderly patients.
6. Which medication is a dopamine partial agonist?
A. Olanzapine
B. Risperidone
C. Aripiprazole
D. Quetiapine
Answer: C
Explanation: Aripiprazole is a dopamine D2 partial agonist used in schizophrenia and
bipolar disorder.
7. Which antipsychotic has the highest risk of agranulocytosis?
A. Clozapine
B. Olanzapine
C. Ziprasidone
D. Lurasidone
Answer: A
Explanation: Clozapine requires regular ANC monitoring due to agranulocytosis risk.
8. Which SSRI has the longest half-life?
A. Paroxetine
,B. Escitalopram
C. Sertraline
D. Fluoxetine
Answer: D
Explanation: Fluoxetine has a long half-life and active metabolite (norfluoxetine),
making it ideal for tapering.
9. Which is a sign of lithium toxicity?
A. Euphoria
B. Fine hand tremor
C. Seizures
D. Constipation
Answer: C
Explanation: Severe toxicity includes seizures and neurologic impairment; serum levels
must be monitored.
10. Valproate is contraindicated in which population?
A. Elderly
B. Pregnant women
C. Adolescents
D. Obese patients
Answer: B
Explanation: Valproate is teratogenic and should be avoided in pregnancy.
11. Which SSRI is approved for pediatric depression?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Paroxetine
C. Sertraline
D. Fluvoxamine
Answer: A
Explanation: Fluoxetine is the only SSRI FDA-approved for use in pediatric depression.
12. Which antidepressant requires dietary restrictions?
A. Venlafaxine
B. Phenelzine
C. Bupropion
D. Mirtazapine
, Answer: B
Explanation: Phenelzine is an MAOI and must not be taken with tyramine-rich foods.
13. First-line treatment for acute mania is:
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lithium
C. Bupropion
D. Buspirone
Answer: B
Explanation: Lithium is a first-line agent for acute mania.
14. Neurotransmitter most involved in schizophrenia pathophysiology?
A. Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. Acetylcholine
D. Norepinephrine
Answer: B
Explanation: Dopamine dysregulation is central to schizophrenia, especially excess in
mesolimbic pathway.
15. Which antipsychotic causes hyperprolactinemia?
A. Clozapine
B. Risperidone
C. Aripiprazole
D. Olanzapine
Answer: B
Explanation: Risperidone strongly antagonizes dopamine in the tuberoinfundibular
pathway.
16. Safest mood stabilizer in pregnancy?
A. Valproic acid
B. Lithium
C. Lamotrigine
D. Carbamazepine
Answer: C
Explanation: Lamotrigine is preferred in pregnancy due to its lower teratogenic risk.
