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Chamberlain College of Nursing
Final Exam Study Guide
Module 5: Treatment for Mood Disorders
Module 6: Treatments for Substance Use Disorders
Module 7: Treatments for ADHD & Sleep Disorders
Module 8: Treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and other
Dementias
Course: NR546/NR 546 Advanced
Pharmacology: Psychopharmacology
, Final Exam
Module 5: Treatment for Mood Disorders
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD):
• Review the monoamine hypothesis and its implications for prescribing, focusing on how this
theory informs the selection of antidepressants based on neurotransmitter targets and symptom
profiles
• SSRIs:
o Identify necessary screening prior to prescribing.
o Study age-related risks and which age group requires extra caution.
o Understand which SSRI has the least CYP interactions, best tolerance, and longest half-
life.
o Explore SSRIs associated with discontinuation syndrome, activation, or panic
exacerbation.
• Lithium Interactions:
o Know substances and medications that can affect lithium levels (cause increase or
decrease in lithium level).
• Serotonin Syndrome:
o Know symptoms and causes and what distinguishes serotonin syndrome from other
adverse effects.
• Pharmacological Adjuncts:
o Review medications used alongside SSRIs.
• Medication Comparisons:
o Differentiate between medications that exacerbate anxiety and those pharmacologically
similar to SSRIs and buspirone.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs):
• Understand half-life, interactions, benefits, and adverse effects.
Bipolar Disorder:
• Review the half-life, interactions, and adverse effects of mood stabilizers. Know how half-life
influences dosing frequency and patient adherence to treatment plans.
• Explore side effects unique to this medication class and specific treatments for common adverse
reactions.
General Medication Knowledge:
• What medication should be avoided in clients with an eating disorder? Why?
• Review the mechanism of action (MOA), adverse reactions, indications, starting doses, and
necessary lab tests.
• Which medication has a risk priapism?
• Understand neurotransmitter actions beyond 5HT (such as norepinephrine, dopamine and GABA)
and how these subtypes influence treatment outcomes in anxiety and depression.
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Final Exam Study Guide
Module 5: Treatment for Mood Disorders
Module 6: Treatments for Substance Use Disorders
Module 7: Treatments for ADHD & Sleep Disorders
Module 8: Treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and other
Dementias
Course: NR546/NR 546 Advanced
Pharmacology: Psychopharmacology
, Final Exam
Module 5: Treatment for Mood Disorders
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD):
• Review the monoamine hypothesis and its implications for prescribing, focusing on how this
theory informs the selection of antidepressants based on neurotransmitter targets and symptom
profiles
• SSRIs:
o Identify necessary screening prior to prescribing.
o Study age-related risks and which age group requires extra caution.
o Understand which SSRI has the least CYP interactions, best tolerance, and longest half-
life.
o Explore SSRIs associated with discontinuation syndrome, activation, or panic
exacerbation.
• Lithium Interactions:
o Know substances and medications that can affect lithium levels (cause increase or
decrease in lithium level).
• Serotonin Syndrome:
o Know symptoms and causes and what distinguishes serotonin syndrome from other
adverse effects.
• Pharmacological Adjuncts:
o Review medications used alongside SSRIs.
• Medication Comparisons:
o Differentiate between medications that exacerbate anxiety and those pharmacologically
similar to SSRIs and buspirone.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs):
• Understand half-life, interactions, benefits, and adverse effects.
Bipolar Disorder:
• Review the half-life, interactions, and adverse effects of mood stabilizers. Know how half-life
influences dosing frequency and patient adherence to treatment plans.
• Explore side effects unique to this medication class and specific treatments for common adverse
reactions.
General Medication Knowledge:
• What medication should be avoided in clients with an eating disorder? Why?
• Review the mechanism of action (MOA), adverse reactions, indications, starting doses, and
necessary lab tests.
• Which medication has a risk priapism?
• Understand neurotransmitter actions beyond 5HT (such as norepinephrine, dopamine and GABA)
and how these subtypes influence treatment outcomes in anxiety and depression.
