Question 1

All of the following antidepressants are suitable forms of therapy for a woman with postpartum depression who is breastfeeding,EXCEPT for:

Accepted Answer

A)  paroxetine. 
B)  fluoxetine. 
C)  sertraline. 
D)  fluvoxamine. 
A)  paroxetine. 
B)  fluoxetine. 
C)  sertraline. 
D)  fluvoxamine. B

Question 2

In terms of the proposed sites of action of antidepressant drugs,which of the following would be expected to produce a therapeutic benefit?

Accepted Answer

A)  The induction of monoamine oxidase activity 
B)  An increase in the synaptic levels of neurotransmitters serotonin and/or noradrenaline 
C)  A centrally acting $\beta_{2}$ agonist 
D)  Depletion of amine transmitter levels in the presynaptic nerve terminal 
A)  The induction of monoamine oxidase activity 
B)  An increase in the synaptic levels of neurotransmitters serotonin and/or noradrenaline 
C)  A centrally acting $\beta_{2}$ agonist 
D)  Depletion of amine transmitter levels in the presynaptic nerve terminal B

Question 3

The proposed action of tetracyclic antidepressant drugs is:

Accepted Answer

A)  block transmitter reuptake. 
B)  block the amine reuptake pump on the presynaptic terminal. 
C)  inhibit monoamine oxidase. 
D)  selectively block postsynaptic 5-HT2 receptors. 
A)  block transmitter reuptake. 
B)  block the amine reuptake pump on the presynaptic terminal. 
C)  inhibit monoamine oxidase. 
D)  selectively block postsynaptic 5-HT2 receptors. B

Question 4

The potentially fatal 'serotonin syndrome' is associated with SSRI therapy for depression.Which of the following signs or symptoms are not linked to serotonin syndrome?

Accepted Answer

A)  Weight gain 
B)  Hyperthermia 
C)  Sweating 
D)  Euphoria or drowsiness 
A)  Weight gain 
B)  Hyperthermia 
C)  Sweating 
D)  Euphoria or drowsiness

Question 5

Which of the following measures does NOT help to avoid the serotonin syndrome associated with the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?

Accepted Answer

A)  Co-administration of two SSRI preparations 
B)  Having a 'washout' period when switching drugs 
C)  Administering a therapeutic dose of a single SSRI agent 
D)  Tapering high doses of the SSRI agent 
A)  Co-administration of two SSRI preparations 
B)  Having a 'washout' period when switching drugs 
C)  Administering a therapeutic dose of a single SSRI agent 
D)  Tapering high doses of the SSRI agent

Question 6

An adverse effect profile of antimuscarinic and antiadrenergic activity and potentially lethal cardiac dysrhythmias is characteristic of which antidepressant drug group?

Accepted Answer

A)  Non-selective MAO inhibitors 
B)  Tricyclic antidepressants 
C)  Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors 
D)  Tetracyclic antidepressants 
A)  Non-selective MAO inhibitors 
B)  Tricyclic antidepressants 
C)  Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors 
D)  Tetracyclic antidepressants

Question 7

The psychological disorder characterised by persistent thoughts and repetitive,ritualistic behaviours is called:

Accepted Answer

A)  endogenous depression. 
B)  panic disorder. 
C)  mania. 
D)  obsessive-compulsive disorder. 
A)  endogenous depression. 
B)  panic disorder. 
C)  mania. 
D)  obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Question 8

Which one of the following statements about lithium carbonate is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  It has a high therapeutic index. 
B)  The body treats it like it is sodium. 
C)  It enhances the synaptic levels of noradrenaline. 
D)  It is used in the management of panic disorders. 
A)  It has a high therapeutic index. 
B)  The body treats it like it is sodium. 
C)  It enhances the synaptic levels of noradrenaline. 
D)  It is used in the management of panic disorders.

Question 9

Which of the following practices is NOT associated with rational prescribing of antidepressants?

Accepted Answer

A)  The use of a combination of antidepressant agents is the best way of treating depression. 
B)  When changing antidepressant agents, the patient should have a 'washout' period. 
C)  If one antidepressant does not work at therapeutic doses, the patient should be changed to another antidepressant. 
D)  Significant antidepressant benefit is not apparent immediately upon starting treatment. The prescriber should wait three to four weeks before assessing the benefit. 
A)  The use of a combination of antidepressant agents is the best way of treating depression. 
B)  When changing antidepressant agents, the patient should have a 'washout' period. 
C)  If one antidepressant does not work at therapeutic doses, the patient should be changed to another antidepressant. 
D)  Significant antidepressant benefit is not apparent immediately upon starting treatment. The prescriber should wait three to four weeks before assessing the benefit.

Question 10

The potential role of antiseizure drugs in the management of bipolar disorder is to:

Accepted Answer

A)  elevate the synaptic levels of noradrenaline and serotonin. 
B)  antagonise the effects of GABA. 
C)  substitute for sodium ion in neuronal processes. 
D)  stabilise the erratic firing in pathways associated with mood. 
A)  elevate the synaptic levels of noradrenaline and serotonin. 
B)  antagonise the effects of GABA. 
C)  substitute for sodium ion in neuronal processes. 
D)  stabilise the erratic firing in pathways associated with mood.

Exam 35: Antidepressants and Mood Stabilisers

All of the following antidepressants are suitable forms of therapy for a woman with postpartum depression who is breastfeeding,EXCEPT for:

In terms of the proposed sites of action of antidepressant drugs,which of the following would be expected to produce a therapeutic benefit?

The proposed action of tetracyclic antidepressant drugs is:

The potentially fatal 'serotonin syndrome' is associated with SSRI therapy for depression.Which of the following signs or symptoms are not linked to serotonin syndrome?

Which of the following measures does NOT help to avoid the serotonin syndrome associated with the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?

An adverse effect profile of antimuscarinic and antiadrenergic activity and potentially lethal cardiac dysrhythmias is characteristic of which antidepressant drug group?

The psychological disorder characterised by persistent thoughts and repetitive,ritualistic behaviours is called:

Which one of the following statements about lithium carbonate is true?

Which of the following practices is NOT associated with rational prescribing of antidepressants?

The potential role of antiseizure drugs in the management of bipolar disorder is to:

Sociocultural Aspects

Health Professionals and the Law

Ethical Issues

the Roles and Responsibilities of Health Professionals in Medicine Adherence, Education and Advocacy

the Roles and Responsibilities of Health Professionals in Medicine Management

Medicine Formulations, Storage and Routes of Administration

the Clinical Decision-making Process

Medicine Administration Strategies and Documentation

Medication Errors

Management of Common Adverse Drug Reactions

Risk Communication: Balancing the Benefits and Risks of Drug Treatment

Drug Nomenclature

Pharmacokinetics: Absorption and Distribution

Pharmacokinetics Metabolism and Excretion

Drug Interactions

Pharmacodynamics

Drug Development, Evaluation and Safety

Genetic Considerations in Pharmacology

Pharmacokinetic Factors That Modify Drug Action

Paediatric and Geriatric Pharmacology

Poisoning and Envenomation

the Management of Acute Clinical Overdose

Contemporary Drugs of Abuse

Drug Abuse in Sport

General Aspects of Neuropharmacology

Adrenergic Pharmacology

Cholinergic Pharmacology

An Introduction to Chemical Mediators

Histamine and Antihistamines

Prostaglandins and Serotonin

Nitric Oxide and the Endothelins

General concepts of Psychopharmacology

Antipsychotics

Anxiolytics and Hypnotics

Medicines Used in Neurodegenerative Disorders

Antiseizure Agents and Muscle Relaxants

Central Nervous System Stimulants

Opioid Analgesics

Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic and Non-opioid Analgesic Agents

Medicines Used to Treat Migraine

General Anaesthesia

Local Anesthesia

Medicines Used to Lower Blood Lipids

Antihypertensive Agents

Medicines Used to Promote Tissue Perfusion

Antithrombotic, Fibrinolytic and Haemostatic Agents

Diuretics and Other Renal Medicines

Topic: Medicines Used to Treat Heart Failure

Medicines Used to Treat Cardiac Dysrhythmia

Fluid and Potassium Imbalances

Antianaemic Agents

Medicines Used to Maintain Gas Exchange

Medicines for Upper Respiratory Tract Conditions

Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Medicines

Lower Castrointestinal Tract Medicines

Antiemetic Agents

Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition

Medicines and the Pituitary Gland

Medicines and the Thyroid

Medicines and the Pancreas

Medicines Affecting the Adrenal Cortex

Medicines and the Gonads

Medicines and Bone Metabolism

Hyperuricaemia and Gout

Obesity and Its Treatment

Introduction to Chemotherapy

Sulfonamides and Trimethoprim

Antibacterial Agents

Antituberculotic and Antileprotic Agents