NR 546 Advanced Psychopharmacology Final
Practice Exam | Questions and correct detailed
Answers | 2026 Updates | 100% correct
MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) affect which neurotransmitters?
A. Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine
B. Serotonin, GABA, Glutamate
C. Acetylcholine, Dopamine, Norepinephrine
D. Dopamine, GABA, Acetylcholine - ANSWER- -A. Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine
Which of the following is considered first line treatment for depression?
A. SSRI
B. FGA
C. SNRI
D. MAOI - ANSWER- -A. SSRI
When treating a patient for major depression disorder which medication would the PMHNP
consider first?
A. Depakote
B. Selegiline
C. Escitalopram
D. Isocarboxazid - ANSWER- -C. Escitalopram
,Which of the following medication should be considered for a patient diagnosed with major
depressive disorder who reports "always forgetting to take my pills"?
A. Mirtazapine
B. Fluvoxamine
C. Fluoxetine
D. Carbamazepine - ANSWER- -C. Fluoxetine
Which of the following medication has a black box warning of a life-threatening skin rash?
A. Lithium
B. Lamotrigine
C. Lurasidone
D. Lorazepam - ANSWER- -B. Lamotrigine
Which medication is considered the best tolerated SSRI?
A. Venlafaxine
B. Bupropion
C. Setraline
D. Escitalopram - ANSWER- -D. Escitalopram
During a 4 week follow up appointment, Rashida, who is prescribed Sertraline 25mg qAM
reports slight improvement in depression symptoms and tolerating medication well. Which of
the following should the PMHNP do?
, A. Increase Setraline dose
B. Switch to an SNRI
C. Switch to a different SSRI
D. Add Trazodone qHS for sleep. - ANSWER- -A. Increase Setraline dose
Which medication should be avoided for the 66 year patient diagnosed with major depressive
disorder and anxiety with a reported fall 3 months ago?
A. Citalopram
B. Setraline
C. Paroxetine
D. Aripiprazole - ANSWER- -C. Paroxetine
A patient reports upset stomach and diarrhea 3 days after taking new prescription of sertraline.
Which of the following is the most appropriate response from the PMHNP?
A. "Start doubling the dose of sertraline and your symptoms will begin to ease up".
B. "Most side effects subside after 4-5 days. Your body is getting adjusted to the increased
serotonin levels".
C. "Stop taking it immediately and go to the local emergency department".
D. "You must take Sertraline with food, otherwise you will continue to experience GI
symptoms". - ANSWER- -B. "Most side effects subside after 4-5 days. Your body is getting
adjusted to the increased serotonin levels".
During a 2 week follow up appointment, the patient reports no improvement in depressive
symptoms with escitalopram. Which of the following statement made by the PMHNP is correct?
A. "Let's discontinue escitalopram and start you on something stronger".
B. "It can take up to 6 weeks before you notice improvements of depressive symptoms".
Practice Exam | Questions and correct detailed
Answers | 2026 Updates | 100% correct
MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) affect which neurotransmitters?
A. Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine
B. Serotonin, GABA, Glutamate
C. Acetylcholine, Dopamine, Norepinephrine
D. Dopamine, GABA, Acetylcholine - ANSWER- -A. Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine
Which of the following is considered first line treatment for depression?
A. SSRI
B. FGA
C. SNRI
D. MAOI - ANSWER- -A. SSRI
When treating a patient for major depression disorder which medication would the PMHNP
consider first?
A. Depakote
B. Selegiline
C. Escitalopram
D. Isocarboxazid - ANSWER- -C. Escitalopram
,Which of the following medication should be considered for a patient diagnosed with major
depressive disorder who reports "always forgetting to take my pills"?
A. Mirtazapine
B. Fluvoxamine
C. Fluoxetine
D. Carbamazepine - ANSWER- -C. Fluoxetine
Which of the following medication has a black box warning of a life-threatening skin rash?
A. Lithium
B. Lamotrigine
C. Lurasidone
D. Lorazepam - ANSWER- -B. Lamotrigine
Which medication is considered the best tolerated SSRI?
A. Venlafaxine
B. Bupropion
C. Setraline
D. Escitalopram - ANSWER- -D. Escitalopram
During a 4 week follow up appointment, Rashida, who is prescribed Sertraline 25mg qAM
reports slight improvement in depression symptoms and tolerating medication well. Which of
the following should the PMHNP do?
, A. Increase Setraline dose
B. Switch to an SNRI
C. Switch to a different SSRI
D. Add Trazodone qHS for sleep. - ANSWER- -A. Increase Setraline dose
Which medication should be avoided for the 66 year patient diagnosed with major depressive
disorder and anxiety with a reported fall 3 months ago?
A. Citalopram
B. Setraline
C. Paroxetine
D. Aripiprazole - ANSWER- -C. Paroxetine
A patient reports upset stomach and diarrhea 3 days after taking new prescription of sertraline.
Which of the following is the most appropriate response from the PMHNP?
A. "Start doubling the dose of sertraline and your symptoms will begin to ease up".
B. "Most side effects subside after 4-5 days. Your body is getting adjusted to the increased
serotonin levels".
C. "Stop taking it immediately and go to the local emergency department".
D. "You must take Sertraline with food, otherwise you will continue to experience GI
symptoms". - ANSWER- -B. "Most side effects subside after 4-5 days. Your body is getting
adjusted to the increased serotonin levels".
During a 2 week follow up appointment, the patient reports no improvement in depressive
symptoms with escitalopram. Which of the following statement made by the PMHNP is correct?
A. "Let's discontinue escitalopram and start you on something stronger".
B. "It can take up to 6 weeks before you notice improvements of depressive symptoms".
