Psychiatric Drugs Exam Practice Questions with Answers

180 Questions and Answers

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Deepen your knowledge of mental health pharmacology with this expert-crafted resource: Psychiatric Drugs Exam Practice Questions with Answers. This practice test is designed to help nursing students, medical trainees, and healthcare professionals reinforce their understanding of psychotropic medications used in the treatment of mental health disorders.

This exam-style quiz offers realistic clinical scenarios, challenging your ability to choose appropriate medications, understand side effects, monitor therapeutic effects, and apply safe medication administration protocols. The questions align with standard testing formats seen in NCLEX, nursing pharmacology exams, and other healthcare certification assessments.

Key topics covered include:

  • Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs)

  • Antipsychotics (typical and atypical)

  • Anxiolytics and sedative-hypnotics

  • Mood stabilizers (e.g., lithium, valproic acid)

  • CNS stimulants for ADHD

  • Anticonvulsants used in psychiatric treatment

  • Mechanisms of action and therapeutic uses

  • Common adverse effects and black box warnings

  • Drug interactions and contraindications

  • Monitoring for toxicity and side effects (e.g., lithium toxicity, EPS)

  • Nursing considerations and patient education

Each question is followed by a detailed explanation to support active learning and critical thinking. This approach enhances both retention and application, helping learners connect textbook knowledge to clinical practice.

This practice exam emphasizes safety, evidence-based decision-making, and the holistic care needed when administering psychiatric medications. It is particularly valuable for students preparing for exams that test knowledge of psychopharmacology in patient-centered scenarios.

Whether you’re studying for a mental health course, preparing for the NCLEX, or reviewing for pharmacology certification, these Psychiatric Drugs Exam Practice Questions with Answers will sharpen your clinical judgment and improve your readiness for high-stakes testing environments.

By mastering these key pharmacological principles, you’ll be equipped to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care in mental health settings.

Sample Questions and Answers

Which of the following is a common side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?

a) Weight loss
b) Sexual dysfunction
c) Hypertension
d) Increased appetite

Answer: b) Sexual dysfunction

Which class of drugs is most commonly prescribed for the treatment of anxiety disorders?

a) Antipsychotics
b) Antidepressants
c) Benzodiazepines
d) Beta-blockers

Answer: c) Benzodiazepines

Which of the following is a typical adverse effect of lithium therapy in patients with bipolar disorder?

a) Hyperkalemia
b) Weight gain
c) Tremors
d) Respiratory depression

Answer: c) Tremors

Which medication is commonly prescribed for treatment-resistant depression?

a) Fluoxetine
b) Sertraline
c) Ketamine
d) Trazodone

Answer: c) Ketamine

Which of the following is NOT an indication for the use of antipsychotic medications?

a) Schizophrenia
b) Bipolar disorder
c) Major depressive disorder
d) Anxiety disorder

Answer: d) Anxiety disorder

What is the main action of benzodiazepines in treating anxiety?

a) Inhibit dopamine reuptake
b) Increase serotonin levels
c) Enhance GABA activity
d) Block norepinephrine receptors

Answer: c) Enhance GABA activity

Which of the following is a common side effect of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)?

a) Sedation
b) Insomnia
c) Tachycardia
d) Increased libido

Answer: a) Sedation

Which drug is used to treat major depressive disorder and is also effective in treating seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?

a) Duloxetine
b) Bupropion
c) Fluoxetine
d) Light therapy

Answer: c) Fluoxetine

What is the most common side effect of clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic?

a) Agranulocytosis
b) Hypotension
c) Hyperglycemia
d) Sedation

Answer: a) Agranulocytosis

Which of the following medications is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

a) Risperidone
b) Methylphenidate
c) Haloperidol
d) Fluoxetine

Answer: b) Methylphenidate

Which class of antidepressants is often the first-line treatment for major depressive disorder?

a) SSRIs
b) MAOIs
c) SNRIs
d) TCA

Answer: a) SSRIs

Which of the following is a potential serious side effect of taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)?

a) Hypertensive crisis
b) Weight loss
c) Insomnia
d) Increased libido

Answer: a) Hypertensive crisis

Which of the following is a common side effect of atypical antipsychotic medications like olanzapine?

a) Weight gain
b) Hyperkalemia
c) Insomnia
d) Tachycardia

Answer: a) Weight gain

Which psychiatric drug is commonly used to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms?

a) Lorazepam
b) Lithium
c) Sertraline
d) Trazodone

Answer: a) Lorazepam

Which of the following medications is used for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

a) Clomipramine
b) Diazepam
c) Haloperidol
d) Amitriptyline

Answer: a) Clomipramine

Which of the following is a common side effect of the drug diazepam?

a) Drowsiness
b) Euphoria
c) Weight loss
d) Increased appetite

Answer: a) Drowsiness

Which of the following drugs is most likely to be prescribed for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

a) Risperidone
b) Fluoxetine
c) Haloperidol
d) Bupropion

Answer: b) Fluoxetine

Which of the following is an example of an atypical antipsychotic medication?

a) Olanzapine
b) Haloperidol
c) Chlorpromazine
d) Fluphenazine

Answer: a) Olanzapine

What is the primary action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?

a) Block dopamine receptors
b) Inhibit serotonin reuptake
c) Enhance norepinephrine release
d) Increase GABA production

Answer: b) Inhibit serotonin reuptake

Which of the following medications is used to treat mania in patients with bipolar disorder?

a) Aripiprazole
b) Lithium
c) Fluoxetine
d) Trazodone

Answer: b) Lithium

Which of the following is a serious potential side effect of using antipsychotic medications long-term?

a) Tardive dyskinesia
b) Nausea
c) Insomnia
d) Increased sweating

Answer: a) Tardive dyskinesia

Which medication is often used as an adjunct to antidepressants in the treatment of depression?

a) Lithium
b) Lamotrigine
c) Bupropion
d) Clonazepam

Answer: c) Bupropion

Which of the following drugs is considered a mood stabilizer for the treatment of bipolar disorder?

a) Clozapine
b) Lithium
c) Fluoxetine
d) Quetiapine

Answer: b) Lithium

Which of the following psychiatric drugs can cause serotonin syndrome when combined with other serotonergic drugs?

a) Sertraline
b) Olanzapine
c) Clozapine
d) Risperidone

Answer: a) Sertraline

Which of the following is the primary use for the drug fluvoxamine?

a) Generalized anxiety disorder
b) Obsessive-compulsive disorder
c) Schizophrenia
d) Bipolar disorder

Answer: b) Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Which medication is commonly prescribed for panic disorder?

a) Paroxetine
b) Haloperidol
c) Lorazepam
d) Clomipramine

Answer: a) Paroxetine

Which class of medications is primarily used to treat psychosis?

a) Antidepressants
b) Antipsychotics
c) Anxiolytics
d) Stimulants

Answer: b) Antipsychotics

Which of the following is NOT a known side effect of SSRIs?

a) Insomnia
b) Weight gain
c) Sexual dysfunction
d) Drowsiness

Answer: b) Weight gain

Which of the following drugs is an example of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)?

a) Tranylcypromine
b) Sertraline
c) Mirtazapine
d) Olanzapine

Answer: a) Tranylcypromine

Which of the following medications is a first-line treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?

a) Lorazepam
b) Sertraline
c) Lithium
d) Chlorpromazine

Answer: b) Sertraline

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