PHARMACOLOGY I FINAL EXAM WITH
100% CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
The health care provider is considering topiramate therapy for a
patient reporting chronic daily headaches that have failed to be
successfully managed on valproic acid and divalproex. What
assessment data require caution when prescribing the drug to
this patient?
a. The patient has been diagnosed with fatty liver disease.
b. The patient has a history of eczema.
c. The patient has a history of congestive heart failure.
d. The patient is being treated for atrial fibrillation. correct
answers >> a. The patient has been diagnosed with fatty liver
disease.
When prescribing for a new patient with anxiety and depression,
the most important consideration is:
a. Advanced Practice Nurses should always refer patients with
these disorders to a mental health provider.
b. Always take depressive drugs at bedtime.
c. Always assess your patient for history of hypomania and mania.
d. SSRI's are not a drug of choice for mixed anxiety and
depression disorders. correct answers >> c. Always assess
your patient for history of hypomania and mania.
,Prior to starting antidepressants, patients should have laboratory
testing to rule out:
a. Diabetes Mellitus.
b. Anemia.
c. Low estrogen levels.
d. Hypothyroidism. correct answers >> d. Hypothyroidism.
An advanced practice nurse is considering second-line therapy for
a patient who is diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder
(GAD). What is the recommended treatment option?
a. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
b. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
c. Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
d. Azapirones (Buspirone). correct answers >> d. Azapirones
(Buspirone).
Which prescription is most appropriate for a 10-year-old child
being treated for depression?
a. Fluoxetine.
b. Venlafaxine.
c. Paroxetine.
d. Escitalopram. correct answers >> a. Fluoxetine.
A patient with severe depression has been hospitalized and the
advance practice nurse has ordered amitriptyline. What common
adverse effect will the advanced practice nurse monitor and
assess the patient for? (Select all that apply).
a. Stroke.
,b. Fever.
c. Myocardial infarction.
d. Gynecomastia.
e. Dry mouth. correct answers >> a. Stroke.
c. Myocardial infarction.
e. Dry mouth.
A practitioner is explaining to a patient has his antidepressant
acts to alleviate his symptoms of depression. Antidepressants act
by:
a. Turning off associated receptors.
b. Increasing MAO enzymes.
c. Decreasing norepinephrine in the system.
d. Inhibiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitter. correct
answers >> d. Inhibiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitter.
Why is it important to rule out bipolar disorder in a patient
prescribed duloxetine?
a. Treating both conditions with drug therapy at the same time is
likely to result in life-threatening drug interactions.
b. Depression is more severe in bipolar disorder, ever when
treating with antidepressants.
c. Bipolar disorder is usually mild in patients with depression, and
it is not important to rule it out.
d. Antidepressant therapy without a mood stabilizer can lead to a
manic switch and worsen bipolar symptoms. correct answers
>> d. Antidepressant therapy without a mood stabilizer can lead
to a manic switch and worsen bipolar symptoms.
, A patient has been diagnosed with restless leg syndrome (RLS)
and is being considered for medication therapy. What medication
should the healthcare provider consider as a first-line therapy for
this patient?
a. Fluoxetine.
b. Pramipexole.
c. Ferrous iron.
d. Carbidopa-levodopa. correct answers >> b. Pramipexole.
Which is the recommended order of treatment in antidepressant
therapy?
a. Atypical antidepressant or TCA, SSRI, atypical antidepressant,
or TCA.
b. SSRI, atypical antidepressant then TCA.
c. TCA, SSRI, atypical antidepressant, or TCA.
d. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), tricyclic
antidepressant (TCA), atypical antidepressant, or TCA correct
answers >> b. SSRI, atypical antidepressant then TCA.
A patient diagnosed with Alzheimer disease (AD) was started in
cholinesterase inhibitor 3 months ago. Which assessment datum
best indicates that the goals of medication therapy are being
met?
a. Caregiver shares that patient appears quite content to "sit in
front of the television most of the day."
b. Patient has demonstrated a minimal decline in short-term
memory while long-term memory remains stable.