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2026 VERSION EXAMS With
Comprehensive Questions and Well
Elaborated Correct Answers GRADED
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,Which statement is true regarding bipolar disorder and pregnancy?
1. A
Clonazepam (Klonopin) does not carry an increased risk of major fetal malformations
2. B
Divalproex sodium (Depakote) is a safe alternative to lithium carbonate
3. C
Lithium (Lithane, Lithobid) is safe during the first and third trimesters
4. D
Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol, Equetro) is a safe alternative to lithium carbonate - correct
ans:Correct answer: Clonazepam (Klonopin) does not carry an increased risk of major fetal
malformations
Commonly used mood-stabilizing medications for bipolar disorder carry an increased risk of major fetal
malformations. However, clonazepam, lorazepam, and alprazolam are effective in the management of
acute manic episodes as an adjuvant to maintenance therapy in lieu of antipsychotics. As an adjuvant to
lithium or lamotrigine, clonazepam may result in increased time between cycles and fewer depressive
episodes.
During the first trimester, the use of lithium (Lithane, Lithobid) increases the risk of fetal cardiac
malformations to 7.7%. Lithium can be used in the second and third trimesters, but it must be stopped
peripartum due to the rapid fluid shifts during birth. Both carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol, Equetro)
and divalproex sodium (Depakote) increase the risk of neural tube defects.
Reference:
Sadock, Sadock, & Ruiz. Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry: Behavioral Sciences/Clinical
Psychiatry, 11th Edition. Pg 379, 951, 988.
In common psychiatric disorders, neurotransmitters are implicated in the complex pathophysiology of
certain disease processes. A decrease in dopamine will cause an exacerbation of which disorder?
1. A
Anxiety disorders
2. B
Anhedonia
3. C
Obsessive-compulsive disorders
4. D
,Psychosis - correct ans:Hide Explanation
Correct answer: Anhedonia
Patients suffering from anhedonia present with a decrease in dopamine activity.
Patients suffering from psychosis and schizophrenia present with an increase in dopamine activity.
Patients suffering from anxiety disorders present with a decrease in gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA.
Patients suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorders present with a decrease in serotonin activity.
Reference:
Johnson, K., Vanderhoef, D. (2016). Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner 4th edition. Pg 70.
What is the difference between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics?
1. A
Pharmacokinetics is the study of what the body does to drugs, and pharmacodynamics is the study of
what drugs do to the body
2. B
Pharmacokinetics is the study of drug receptors and enzymes, and pharmacodynamics is the study of
the mechanism of action of drugs
3. C
Pharmacokinetics is the study of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion; and
pharmacodynamics is the study of what the body does to drugs
4. D
Pharmacokinetics is the study of what drugs do and how they do it, and pharmacodynamics is the study
of target sites for drug actions - correct ans:Pharmacokinetics is the study of what the body does to
drugs, and pharmacodynamics is the study of what drugs do to the body
A 40-year-old man diagnosed with schizophrenia presents to your office with bradykinesia, drooling, and
a festinating gait. Which antipsychotic medication is least likely to cause these side effects?
1. A
Haloperidol (Haldol)
2. B
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
3. C
, Thioridazine (Mellaril)
4. D
Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) - correct ans:Correct answer: Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
These symptoms suggest antipsychotic-induced parkinsonism, which usually begins after several weeks
of treatment. Drug-induced parkinsonism is more common in typical or high-potency antipsychotics like
haloperidol, thioridazine, and chlorpromazine and is much less common in atypical or low-potency
antipsychotics like olanzapine.
Reference:
Sadock, Sadock, & Ruiz. Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry: Behavioral Sciences/Clinical
Psychiatry, 11th Edition. Pg 972.
Psychotropic antipsychotics such as Seroquel and Risperdal can cause blurry vision and cataracts.
1.
True
2.
False - correct ans:Hide Explanation
Correct answer: True
Psychotropic antipsychotics such as Seroquel and Risperdal can cause blurry vision and cataracts.
Patients are advised to have routine eye exams every six months while being treated with
antipsychotics.
Reference:
Johnson, K., Vanderhoef, D. (2016). Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, 4th edition. Pg 84.
A 31-year-old male diagnosed with depression undergoes an fMRI. His test reveals increased activity in
the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Which class of medication aids in pyramidal cell functioning in the
prefrontal cortex by preventing the excessive release of glutamate?
1. A
Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs)
2. B
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
3. C
Serotonin antagonist/reuptake inhibitors
2026 VERSION EXAMS With
Comprehensive Questions and Well
Elaborated Correct Answers GRADED
A+
Professional Academic Assistance Services
Services Offered
Proctored Exam Assistance
Online Class Management (Full Course Support)
Exam Preparation & Study Materials
Assignments and Coursework Support
Essays and Research Papers
Discussion Posts and Replies
,Which statement is true regarding bipolar disorder and pregnancy?
1. A
Clonazepam (Klonopin) does not carry an increased risk of major fetal malformations
2. B
Divalproex sodium (Depakote) is a safe alternative to lithium carbonate
3. C
Lithium (Lithane, Lithobid) is safe during the first and third trimesters
4. D
Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol, Equetro) is a safe alternative to lithium carbonate - correct
ans:Correct answer: Clonazepam (Klonopin) does not carry an increased risk of major fetal
malformations
Commonly used mood-stabilizing medications for bipolar disorder carry an increased risk of major fetal
malformations. However, clonazepam, lorazepam, and alprazolam are effective in the management of
acute manic episodes as an adjuvant to maintenance therapy in lieu of antipsychotics. As an adjuvant to
lithium or lamotrigine, clonazepam may result in increased time between cycles and fewer depressive
episodes.
During the first trimester, the use of lithium (Lithane, Lithobid) increases the risk of fetal cardiac
malformations to 7.7%. Lithium can be used in the second and third trimesters, but it must be stopped
peripartum due to the rapid fluid shifts during birth. Both carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol, Equetro)
and divalproex sodium (Depakote) increase the risk of neural tube defects.
Reference:
Sadock, Sadock, & Ruiz. Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry: Behavioral Sciences/Clinical
Psychiatry, 11th Edition. Pg 379, 951, 988.
In common psychiatric disorders, neurotransmitters are implicated in the complex pathophysiology of
certain disease processes. A decrease in dopamine will cause an exacerbation of which disorder?
1. A
Anxiety disorders
2. B
Anhedonia
3. C
Obsessive-compulsive disorders
4. D
,Psychosis - correct ans:Hide Explanation
Correct answer: Anhedonia
Patients suffering from anhedonia present with a decrease in dopamine activity.
Patients suffering from psychosis and schizophrenia present with an increase in dopamine activity.
Patients suffering from anxiety disorders present with a decrease in gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA.
Patients suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorders present with a decrease in serotonin activity.
Reference:
Johnson, K., Vanderhoef, D. (2016). Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner 4th edition. Pg 70.
What is the difference between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics?
1. A
Pharmacokinetics is the study of what the body does to drugs, and pharmacodynamics is the study of
what drugs do to the body
2. B
Pharmacokinetics is the study of drug receptors and enzymes, and pharmacodynamics is the study of
the mechanism of action of drugs
3. C
Pharmacokinetics is the study of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion; and
pharmacodynamics is the study of what the body does to drugs
4. D
Pharmacokinetics is the study of what drugs do and how they do it, and pharmacodynamics is the study
of target sites for drug actions - correct ans:Pharmacokinetics is the study of what the body does to
drugs, and pharmacodynamics is the study of what drugs do to the body
A 40-year-old man diagnosed with schizophrenia presents to your office with bradykinesia, drooling, and
a festinating gait. Which antipsychotic medication is least likely to cause these side effects?
1. A
Haloperidol (Haldol)
2. B
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
3. C
, Thioridazine (Mellaril)
4. D
Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) - correct ans:Correct answer: Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
These symptoms suggest antipsychotic-induced parkinsonism, which usually begins after several weeks
of treatment. Drug-induced parkinsonism is more common in typical or high-potency antipsychotics like
haloperidol, thioridazine, and chlorpromazine and is much less common in atypical or low-potency
antipsychotics like olanzapine.
Reference:
Sadock, Sadock, & Ruiz. Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry: Behavioral Sciences/Clinical
Psychiatry, 11th Edition. Pg 972.
Psychotropic antipsychotics such as Seroquel and Risperdal can cause blurry vision and cataracts.
1.
True
2.
False - correct ans:Hide Explanation
Correct answer: True
Psychotropic antipsychotics such as Seroquel and Risperdal can cause blurry vision and cataracts.
Patients are advised to have routine eye exams every six months while being treated with
antipsychotics.
Reference:
Johnson, K., Vanderhoef, D. (2016). Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, 4th edition. Pg 84.
A 31-year-old male diagnosed with depression undergoes an fMRI. His test reveals increased activity in
the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Which class of medication aids in pyramidal cell functioning in the
prefrontal cortex by preventing the excessive release of glutamate?
1. A
Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs)
2. B
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
3. C
Serotonin antagonist/reuptake inhibitors
