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Exam 2: NSG552 / NSG 552 (Latest 2025 / 2026):
Psychopharmacology | Grade A | Questions and
Answers (Verified Elaborations) 100% Correct –
Wilkes
Question:
What is agoraphobia and how can it be treated?
Answer:
intense fear of being in public pleases where escape or obtaining help may be difficult Treat with CBT and SSRI
Question:
What treatment is used for generalized anxiety disorder
Answer:
First line - SSRI Second line - Buspar (anxiolytic), SNRI Can consider short term course of benzos or augmentation with buspirone (Buspar) SSRI - escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil), SNRI - duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor)
Question:
What is used to treat panic attacks?
Answer:
initially use benzos short term
Question:
What is used to treat panic disorder?
Answer:
First line- SSRI, SRNA Second line- TCAs, though limited use Adjunct - benzo with caution, short-term until SSRIs reach therapeutic efficacy Alprazolam (Xanax) is FDA approved SSRI - Fluoxetine (Prozac), Paxil (paroxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), SNRI - Effexor (venlafaxine) TCA - clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Tofranil)
Question:
What is social phobia and how is it treated?
Answer:
fear of scrutiny by others or fear of acting in humiliating or embarrassing way CBT First line - SSRI or SNRI Benzos can be used as scheduled or PRN Beta blockers such as atenolol (50-100 mg) and propranolol (20-40 mg) 1 hour before performance or public speaking
Question:
What is used to great specific phobias?
Answer:
CBT with exposure
Question:
What effects does GABA lead to?
Answer:
Potentiate effects of GABA (GABA is inhibitory and lead to drowsiness, cognitive impairments, dampening of fear and anxiety, impaired balance, motor control, muscle tone, and coordination, and anterograde amnesia
Question:
Who is at greater risk of fall risk and hip fracture on benzodiazepines?
Answer:
Elderly patients
Question:
What is the mechanism of action for benzodiazepines?
Answer:
enhance activity of GABA at GABA-A receptors
Question:
Why are benzodiazepines not always the best choice of medicatioon
Answer:
potential for abuse and addition may become physically dependent may build tolerance
Question:
What can be used to treat akathisia?
Answer:
Benzodiazepines can be used to treat the uncontrollable urge to move and fidgeting movements
Question:
How is choice of BDZ decised?
Answer:
time of onset, duration of action, and method of metabolism OTL = metabolized outside the liver (lorazepam, oxazepam, temazepam)
Question:
What are side effects of BDZ?
Answer:
anticholinergic (dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, increased HR), unusual behavior4s, hallucinations, daytime drowsiness, amnesia
Question:
What is a known limitation of benzo
Answer:
Question:
Characteristics of Buspirone (Buspar)
Answer:
slower onset of action than benzos (takes several weeks) Augmentation with other agents such as SSRI Low potential for abuse/addiction Dosed 2-3 times per day NO PRN
Question:
What endocrine medical conditions mimic or worsen anxiety
Answer:
hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, Addison's disease, menopause pheochromocytoma
Question:
What cardiovascular medical conditions mimic or worsen anxiety
Answer:
acute coronary syndrome, arrhythmia, CHF, Hypertension, hypotension, mitral valve prolapse
Question:
What neurological medical conditions mimic or worsen anxiety
Answer:
epilepsy, cardiovascular disease, Meniere's disease, migraines, encephalitis, early dementia
Question:
What metabolic medical conditions mimic or worsen anxiety
Answer:
porphyria, diabetes
Question:
What pulmonary medical conditions mimic or worsen anxiety
Answer:
asthma, COPD, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia
Question:
What is PTSD
Answer:
the development of multiple symptoms after exposure to one or more traumatic events
Question:
What is the hippocampus?
Answer:
complex brain structure embedded deep in the temporal lobe that plays a major role in learning and memory
Question:
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
Answer:
Multiple personality disorder in which more than one distinct personality state results from a fragmented sense of self
Question:
Who usually develops DID?
Answer:
victims of significant and chronic childhood trauma
Question:
What do patients with DID often cope with?
Answer:
PTSD
Question:
What is the standard treatment for DID
Answer:
Psychotherapy
Question:
What medication can be used for DID?
Answer:
SSRIs - target comorbid depressive and PTSD symptoms Prazosin - nightmares
Naltrexone (Vivitrol) - opioid agonist used to reduce self-injurious behaviors
Question:
Can electroconvulsive therapy be used with DID?
Answer:
ECT can be used in people with DID - they have depressive symptoms and ECT can be considered a viable option especially in combination with psychotherapy
Question:
What medications can be used for sleep onset?
Answer:
Eszopiclone (Lunesta) - non-benzo hypnotic Zaleplon (Sonata) - non-benzo hypnotic zolpidem (Ambien) - non-benzo hypnotic Triazolam (Halcion) - benzodiazepine and controlled substance Temazepam (Restoril) - benzodiazepine Ramelteon (Rozerem) - melatonin receptor agonist
Question:
What medications are used for sleep maintenance?
Answer:
Suvorexant (Belsomra) - Dual orexin receptor antagonist (DORA) Eszopiclone (Lunesta) - non-benzo hypnotic Zolpidem (Ambien) - non-benzo hypnotic Temazepam (Restoril) - benzodiazepine
Modafinil (Provigil)- first line pharmacologic treatment - CNS stimulant which promotes wakefullness
Question:
What is the drug of choice for cataplexy?
Answer:
Sodium oxalate - avoid use with alcohol or other CNS depressants TCA - imipramine (Tofranil), desipramine (Norpramin), clomipramine (Anafranil)
Question:
What are REM suppression drugs?
Answer:
SSNI - fluoxetine (Prozac), SNRI - duloxetine (Cymbalta), atomoxetine (Strattara), venlafaxine (Effexor)
Question:
Do non-benzo hypnotics affect REM sleep
Answer:
Non-benzo hypnotics DO NOT affect REM sleep
Question:
What is a problem found with OTC sedative/hypnotics?
Answer:
tolerance to sedating effects can develop rapidly
Question:
Describe Ramelteon (Rozerem)
Answer:
Selective melatonin (MT1 and MT2) agonist that is effective and safe sleep aid due to no tolerance or dependance It DOES NOT act on benzo receptors
Question:
What are non-pharmacological interventions for sleep apnea
Answer:
weight loss, avoidance of alcohol, CPAP, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
Question:
What are the characteristics of restless leg syndrome (RLS)?
Answer:
urge to move legs accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the legs relief with movement, aggravation with inactivity worse in the evening 1.5-2 times more likely in males
Question:
What are the risk factors for RLS?
Trazadone - serotonin receptor antagonist and reuptake inhibitor Remeron (mirtazapine) - TCA
