Q.1 Which class of drugs is primarily used to treat major depressive disorder?
SSRIs
Benzodiazepines
Antipsychotics
Mood Stabilizers
Explanation - Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) increase serotonin levels in the brain, helping alleviate depressive symptoms.
Correct answer is: SSRIs
Q.2 Which antipsychotic is considered first-line treatment for schizophrenia due to lower risk of extrapyramidal side effects?
Haloperidol
Risperidone
Clozapine
Chlorpromazine
Explanation - Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic with lower risk of movement disorders compared to typical antipsychotics like Haloperidol.
Correct answer is: Risperidone
Q.3 Which side effect is most commonly associated with tricyclic antidepressants?
Weight loss
Anticholinergic effects
Insomnia
Diarrhea
Explanation - Tricyclic antidepressants often cause dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, and blurred vision due to anticholinergic effects.
Correct answer is: Anticholinergic effects
Q.4 Lithium is primarily used to treat which psychiatric condition?
Depression
Bipolar disorder
Schizophrenia
Anxiety disorder
Explanation - Lithium is a mood stabilizer effective in both acute mania and maintenance therapy for bipolar disorder.
Correct answer is: Bipolar disorder
Q.5 Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by benzodiazepines?
Serotonin
Dopamine
GABA
Norepinephrine
Explanation - Benzodiazepines enhance the effect of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, producing sedative and anxiolytic effects.
Correct answer is: GABA
Q.6 Which lab test is essential for patients on long-term lithium therapy?
Liver function test
Renal function test
CBC
Blood glucose
Explanation - Lithium is excreted by the kidneys; renal function tests are essential to prevent toxicity.
Correct answer is: Renal function test
Q.7 Which of the following is a common side effect of SSRIs?
Tardive dyskinesia
Sexual dysfunction
Hyperprolactinemia
Hypotension
Explanation - SSRIs can cause decreased libido, delayed ejaculation, or anorgasmia in some patients.
Correct answer is: Sexual dysfunction
Q.8 Clozapine requires regular monitoring of which lab parameter?
Creatinine
WBC count
Liver enzymes
Blood glucose
Explanation - Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis; weekly WBC monitoring is required initially.
Correct answer is: WBC count
Q.9 Which antidepressant is also useful in treating neuropathic pain?
Fluoxetine
Amitriptyline
Sertraline
Citalopram
Explanation - Amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, has analgesic properties useful in neuropathic pain.
Correct answer is: Amitriptyline
Q.10 Which of the following drugs can lead to serotonin syndrome if combined with SSRIs?
Lithium
MAOIs
Benzodiazepines
Valproate
Explanation - Combining SSRIs with MAOIs can cause excessive serotonergic activity leading to serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Correct answer is: MAOIs
Q.11 Which antipsychotic is known for a high risk of metabolic syndrome?
Haloperidol
Clozapine
Risperidone
Fluphenazine
Explanation - Clozapine is associated with weight gain, diabetes, and lipid abnormalities, contributing to metabolic syndrome.
Correct answer is: Clozapine
Q.12 Which mood stabilizer is associated with teratogenicity, especially neural tube defects?
Lithium
Valproate
Carbamazepine
Lamotrigine
Explanation - Valproate use during pregnancy increases the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus.
Correct answer is: Valproate
Q.13 Which of the following is a common adverse effect of antipsychotics that block dopamine D2 receptors?
Sedation
Extrapyramidal symptoms
Weight loss
Hypoglycemia
Explanation - D2 receptor blockade in the nigrostriatal pathway can lead to movement disorders like tremors, rigidity, and akathisia.
Correct answer is: Extrapyramidal symptoms
Q.14 Which benzodiazepine is preferred in elderly patients due to shorter half-life?
Diazepam
Lorazepam
Chlordiazepoxide
Clonazepam
Explanation - Lorazepam has an intermediate half-life and less risk of accumulation in elderly patients.
Correct answer is: Lorazepam
Q.15 Which of the following SSRIs is considered the least likely to cause drug-drug interactions?
Fluoxetine
Paroxetine
Sertraline
Citalopram
Explanation - Citalopram has minimal CYP450 interactions, making it safer in polypharmacy.
Correct answer is: Citalopram
Q.16 Which medication is first-line for acute mania in bipolar disorder?
Haloperidol
Lithium
Fluoxetine
Sertraline
Explanation - Lithium effectively treats acute mania and prevents recurrence in bipolar disorder.
Correct answer is: Lithium
Q.17 Which lab value should be monitored in patients on valproate therapy?
Platelet count
Hemoglobin
Potassium
Sodium
Explanation - Valproate can cause thrombocytopenia and hepatotoxicity; platelet count and liver function must be monitored.
Correct answer is: Platelet count
Q.18 Which atypical antipsychotic has the lowest risk of extrapyramidal symptoms?
Risperidone
Olanzapine
Clozapine
Haloperidol
Explanation - Clozapine has minimal D2 receptor blockade in the nigrostriatal pathway, lowering the risk of EPS.
Correct answer is: Clozapine
Q.19 Which class of drugs is commonly used for generalized anxiety disorder?
SSRIs
Mood stabilizers
Typical antipsychotics
Stimulants
Explanation - SSRIs are first-line pharmacological treatment for generalized anxiety disorder due to their efficacy and safety profile.
Correct answer is: SSRIs
Q.20 Which adverse effect is most concerning with long-term benzodiazepine use?
Dependence and withdrawal
Tardive dyskinesia
Serotonin syndrome
Hypertension
Explanation - Long-term benzodiazepine use can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms upon abrupt discontinuation.
Correct answer is: Dependence and withdrawal
Q.21 Which antipsychotic is most effective in treatment-resistant schizophrenia?
Risperidone
Clozapine
Olanzapine
Quetiapine
Explanation - Clozapine is reserved for patients who do not respond to standard antipsychotic therapy.
Correct answer is: Clozapine
Q.22 Which medication class is used to manage acute agitation in psychiatric emergencies?
Benzodiazepines
SSRIs
Tricyclic antidepressants
Mood stabilizers
Explanation - Benzodiazepines provide rapid sedation and anxiolysis in acute agitation.
Correct answer is: Benzodiazepines
Q.23 Which adverse effect requires immediate discontinuation of clozapine?
Mild sedation
Agranulocytosis
Weight gain
Constipation
Explanation - Agranulocytosis is life-threatening; clozapine must be stopped immediately if WBC count drops significantly.
Correct answer is: Agranulocytosis
Q.24 Which medication is used as an adjunct to antidepressants in treatment-resistant depression?
Aripiprazole
Haloperidol
Diazepam
Valproate
Explanation - Aripiprazole, an atypical antipsychotic, can augment antidepressant therapy in resistant cases.
Correct answer is: Aripiprazole
Q.25 Which antipsychotic has a higher risk of prolonging QT interval?
Haloperidol
Clozapine
Olanzapine
Quetiapine
Explanation - High doses of Haloperidol can cause QT prolongation, which may lead to fatal arrhythmias.
Correct answer is: Haloperidol