1. The effectiveness of benzodiazepines in treating anxiety disorders suggests that which of the
following neurotransmitters plays a role in anxiety?
A.
... [Show More] Acetylcholine
B. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
C. Dopamine
D. Serotonin
ANS: B PTS: 1
2. The criteria for diagnosing generalized anxiety disorder in the American Psychiatric
Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (text revision)
state that excessive worry or apprehension must be present more days than not for at least:
A. 1 month
B. 3 months
C. 6 months
D. 12 months
ANS: C PTS: 1
3. A patient presents to the clinician after experiencing four episodes in the last month of sweating,
palpitations, chest pain, nausea, and shaking. Each episode lasted about 10 minutes. The patient
is now becoming very fearful of future events and has been reluctant to leave the house. The
clinician suspects panic disorder but wants to rule out any possible medical causes. Which of the
following medical conditions can mimic the symptoms of a panic attack?
A. Pheochromocytoma
B. Hyperthyroidism
C. Cardiac arrhythmias
D. All of the above
ANS: D PTS: 1
4. Which of the following is considered first-line treatment for panic disorders?
A. Benzodiazepines
B. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
C. Tricyclic antidepressants
D. Cognitive behavioral therapy
ANS: D PTS: 1
5. Which of the following symptoms is NOT part of the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD)?
A. Hypersomnolence
nursing
B. Blunted feelings
C. Loss of interest in significant activities
D. Intrusive recurrent recollections of the event
ANS: A PTS: 1
6. Which of the following neuroendocrine abnormalities is implicated in depression?
A. Decrease in adrenal size
B. Hypersecretion of cortisol
C. An exaggerated response of thyrotropin (TRH) to infusion of thyroid-releasing
hormone
D. Increased inhibitory response of glucocorticoids to dexamethasone
ANS: B PTS: 1
7. The clinician has chosen to prescribe an SSRI instead of a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) for a
patient fitting the diagnostic criteria for depression. Which of the following is NOT true
concerning SSRIs in comparison to tricyclic antidepressants?
A. SSRIs are more effective than TCAs.
B. SSRIs take less time to work than TCAs.
C. SSRIs have a more favorable side-effect profile than TCAs.
D. SSRIs are not lethal in overdose.
ANS: A PTS: 1
8. After discontinuing fluoxetine, how long must a person wait before starting a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor?
A. 2 weeks
B. 3 weeks
C. 4 weeks
D. 5 weeks
ANS: D PTS: 1
9. It is important to educate patients with depression and their family members about reporting
signs of increasing depression and suicidal thoughts. This is especially true during which time
period?
A. Prior to the antidepressant reaching therapeutic levels
B. As the mood lifts in response to antidepressant treatment
C. During dosage or medication adjustments
D. After the patient reveals suicidal thoughts or plans
ANS: B PTS: 1
10. A patient is experiencing extrapyramidal side effects from his antipsychotic medications. The
clinician would most likely take which of the following approaches to treating these side effects?
A. Give the patient a “drug holiday” until the symptoms resolve and then restart the
medication.
B. Switch the patient to a different antipsychotic.
C. Treat the patient with anticholinergics.
D. Treat the patient with anticonvulsants.
ANS: C PTS: 1 [Show Less]