MSN 672 Psychopathopharmacology Final Exam at Nothern Kentucky University
Access The Exact Questions for MSN 672 Psychopathopharmacology Final Exam at Nothern Kentucky University
💯 100% Pass Rate guaranteed
🗓️ Unlock for 1 Month
Rated 4.8/5 from over 1000+ reviews
- Unlimited Exact Practice Test Questions
- Trusted By 200 Million Students and Professors
What’s Included:
- Unlock Actual Exam Questions and Answers for MSN 672 Psychopathopharmacology Final Exam at Nothern Kentucky University on monthly basis
- Well-structured questions covering all topics, accompanied by organized images.
- Learn from mistakes with detailed answer explanations.
- Easy To understand explanations for all students.
Free MSN 672 Psychopathopharmacology Final Exam at Nothern Kentucky University Questions
The PMHNP has a 25-year-old female patient that presents to the clinic for Bipolar II Disorder. The patient informs the PMHNP that she has taken Lamotrigine in the past and it was effective for her symptoms. The PMHNP decides to prescribe Lamotrigine for the patient. During your patient teaching, what are the most important characteristics of Lamotrigine (listed below) to emphasize to the patient?
-
Call your doctor immediately if a skin rash occurs
-
Call your doctor immediately if thoughts of suicide occur
-
Oral Contraceptives increase blood levels of Lamotrigine
-
All of the above
Explanation
A. Call your doctor immediately if a skin rash occurs
Lamotrigine is known for its potential to cause serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), which can be fatal. The presence of a skin rash should be treated as a medical emergency, and the patient must immediately contact their healthcare provider if one appears. This is the most important aspect to emphasize when using Lamotrigine.
Correct Answer: A. Call your doctor immediately if a skin rash occurs
The PMHNP has a patient with refractory depression and decides to prescribe the "California Rocket fuel" for this patient. Besides worsening suicidality, what else would the PMHNP monitor for the patient with this regimen? (Select all that apply)
-
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
-
Serotonin syndrome
-
Hypersalivation
-
All of the above
Explanation
The "California Rocket Fuel" refers to a combination of tranylcypromine (an MAOI) and mirtazapine. This combination can lead to several important side effects that the PMHNP needs to monitor closely:
B. Serotonin syndrome
The combination of an MAOI (tranylcypromine) and mirtazapine, a medication with serotonergic properties, increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. This potentially life-threatening condition arises from excessive serotonin accumulation in the brain and can cause hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, autonomic dysregulation, and mental status changes. Monitoring for symptoms of serotonin syndrome is critical, especially with this combination.
Correct Answer: B. Serotonin syndrome
Lithium levels are checked at steady state. How many days after lithium is initiated should a level be checked? Please select the best answer.
-
1-3
-
3-4
-
5-7
-
2-4
Explanation
Lithium reaches steady state after approximately 5-7 days of consistent dosing. After this time, the lithium blood level is typically checked to ensure it is within the therapeutic range. Checking the levels too early (e.g., at 1-3 days) would not give an accurate reflection of the steady state. Therefore, the correct answer is 5-7 days after initiation of therapy.
Correct Answer: C. 5-7
Which of the following has the secondary property of positive allosteric modulation at nicotinic receptors?
-
Donepezil
-
Rivastigmine
-
Galantamine
-
Memantine
Explanation
Galantamine is a cholinesterase inhibitor used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In addition to inhibiting acetylcholinesterase to increase acetylcholine levels, galantamine also has the secondary property of positive allosteric modulation at nicotinic receptors. This means it enhances the activity of nicotinic receptors by modifying the receptor's response to acetylcholine. This dual action, through both cholinesterase inhibition and nicotinic receptor modulation, helps improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients.
Correct Answer: C. Galantamine
Prior to prescribing a stimulant, which topic is most important for the provider to discuss with the patient?
-
Cardiac History
-
Eating Patterns
-
Weight
-
Family History of ADHD
Explanation
Cardiac history is the most important factor to discuss before prescribing stimulants, such as those used to treat ADHD (e.g., methylphenidate and amphetamine-based medications). Stimulants can increase heart rate and blood pressure, and there is a risk of cardiovascular events (such as arrhythmias) in patients with underlying heart conditions. Therefore, it is critical to assess whether the patient has any cardiac history, such as hypertension, arrhythmias, or heart disease, prior to prescribing stimulants.
Correct Answer: A. Cardiac History
Which antidepressant has a long half-life of 2 to 3 days and an active metabolite half-life of 2 weeks?
-
Escitalopram
-
Sertraline
-
Fluoxetine
-
Paroxetine
Explanation
Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) known for its long half-life. The half-life of fluoxetine itself is 2 to 3 days, but it has an active metabolite called norfluoxetine, which has a significantly longer half-life of 2 weeks. This extended half-life means that fluoxetine remains in the body for a prolonged period, even after discontinuation. This characteristic is important for drug accumulation and potential drug interactions, but it also means the medication can be beneficial for patients who may have trouble adhering to a strict daily regimen, as it maintains therapeutic levels longer than SSRIs with shorter half-lives.
Correct Answer: C. Fluoxetine
A 35-year-old cigarette smoker would like to quit but is nervous because she typically craves a cigarette approximately every 2 hrs. The craving and withdrawal are due to:
-
Desensitization of nicotinic receptors
-
Resensitization of nicotinic receptors
-
Desensitization of muscarinic receptors
-
Resensitization of muscarinic receptors
Explanation
When a person smokes regularly, nicotine binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and over time, these receptors become desensitized due to the constant stimulation by nicotine. However, when nicotine use is reduced or stopped (such as when trying to quit), the body attempts to resensitize the nicotinic receptors in response to the lack of nicotine. This resensitization causes increased cravings for nicotine as the receptors "become more sensitive" again, leading to the withdrawal symptoms like craving a cigarette. This process underlies the intense cravings and the difficulty in quitting smoking.
Correct Answer: B. Resensitization of nicotinic receptors
A patient with a history of opioid use disorder is requesting a prescription for buprenorphine, instead of the combination formulation with buprenorphine and naloxone. You analyze the patient's request, because as a PMHNP, you are aware that the combination formulation of buprenorphine and naloxone... (Select the best answer):
-
Is more effective for withdrawal symptoms
-
Is significantly cheaper
-
Produces a "high"
-
Prevents intravenous abuse
Explanation
The combination formulation of buprenorphine and naloxone is designed to reduce the potential for misuse, particularly intravenous abuse. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that has minimal effect when taken orally but will induce withdrawal symptoms if the medication is injected. This discourages individuals from attempting to misuse the medication intravenously.
Correct Answer: D. Prevents intravenous abuse
A 15-year-old patient with ADHD that has a rare mutation in the gene for the dopamine transporter (DAT), noted after testing. In deciding which treatment to initiate for this patient's ADHD, you know it will be important to avoid treatments that depend on normally functioning DAT. Which of the following drugs are transported into neurons via the dopamine transporter?
-
Atomoxetine
-
Amphetamine
-
Methylphenidate
-
Atomoxetine and Amphetamine
Explanation
Amphetamines, such as amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, work by increasing the release of dopamine and norepinephrine from presynaptic neurons and by inhibiting the reuptake of these neurotransmitters via the dopamine transporter (DAT). If the dopamine transporter is dysfunctional (as in the case of this patient's mutation), amphetamine-based drugs would be less effective.
Correct Answer: B. Amphetamine
A 75-year-old patient with Alzheimer's disease is currently being treated with donepezil. Donepezil increases acetylcholine by:
-
Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase
-
Inhibiting the choline transporter
-
A and B
-
Neither A nor B
Explanation
Donepezil is a cholinesterase inhibitor used to treat Alzheimer's disease. It works by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft. By inhibiting this enzyme, donepezil increases the levels of acetylcholine, thereby improving cholinergic neurotransmission, which is often deficient in Alzheimer's disease. This action helps to temporarily improve cognitive function or slow cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's. Donepezil does not inhibit the choline transporter, which is unrelated to its mechanism of action.
Correct Answer: A. Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase
How to Order
Select Your Exam
Click on your desired exam to open its dedicated page with resources like practice questions, flashcards, and study guides.Choose what to focus on, Your selected exam is saved for quick access Once you log in.
Subscribe
Hit the Subscribe button on the platform. With your subscription, you will enjoy unlimited access to all practice questions and resources for a full 1-month period. After the month has elapsed, you can choose to resubscribe to continue benefiting from our comprehensive exam preparation tools and resources.
Pay and unlock the practice Questions
Once your payment is processed, you’ll immediately unlock access to all practice questions tailored to your selected exam for 1 month .