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USMLE STEP2 Exam
Step2 (Page 19 )

Updated On: 30-Jan-2026
Page 19 of 149
PDF with 738 Questions

A 41-year-old woman has a long history of chronic paranoid schizophrenia. She experiences auditory and visual hallucinations and has had difficulty maintaining a job. According to the clinical vignette, select the pharmacotherapeutic agent which is most likely to be helpful to the patient.

  1. buspirone
  2. sertraline
  3. risperidone
  4. lithium carbonate
  5. acamprosate
  6. dextroamphetamine

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Lithium carbonate is an effective treatment for manic and depressive episodes due to bipolar I disorder, as well as for the prophylaxis of manic and depressive episodes in patients with bipolar I disorder. It can impede the release of thyroid hormone from the thyroid, and it can reduce the ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine; its use requires regular blood levels to ensure the avoidance of toxic blood levels that could cause tremor, dysarthria, ataxia, or death. Acamprosate (Campral) is gabanergic and decreases the craving for alcohol in patients with alcohol dependence. Sertraline (Zoloft) is a SSRI which is effective in the treatment of major
depressive disorder, as well as in the treatment of panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and PTSD. Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic that is effective in the treatment of psychotic conditions, including schizophrenia, and is associated with fewer serious longterm side effects, such as tardive dyskinesia, than traditional neuroleptics. Risperidone is a potent blocker of both 5-HT2 serotonin receptors and D2 dopamine receptors. Buspirone, a nonaddictive azapirone, acts as an agonist or partial agonist of 5-HT1 serotonin receptors, and is effective in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder.
Dextroamphetamine is a stimulant and is an effective treatment for ADHD.



A 45-year-old woman reports a 6-month history of free-floating anxiety, which makes her feel tense most of the time on most days. According to the clinical vignette, select the pharmacotherapeutic agent which is most likely to be helpful to the patient.

  1. buspirone
  2. sertraline
  3. risperidone
  4. lithium carbonate
  5. acamprosate
  6. dextroamphetamine

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Lithium carbonate is an effective treatment for manic and depressive episodes due to bipolar I disorder, as well as for the prophylaxis of manic and depressive episodes in patients with bipolar I disorder. It can impede the release of thyroid hormone from the thyroid, and it can reduce the ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine; its use requires regular blood levels to ensure the avoidance of toxic blood levels that could cause tremor, dysarthria, ataxia, or death. Acamprosate (Campral) is gabanergic and decreases the craving for alcohol in patients with alcohol dependence. Sertraline (Zoloft) is a SSRI which is effective in the treatment of major
depressive disorder, as well as in the treatment of panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and PTSD. Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic that is effective in the treatment of psychotic conditions, including schizophrenia, and is associated with fewer serious longterm side effects, such as tardive dyskinesia, than traditional neuroleptics. Risperidone is a potent blocker of both 5-HT2 serotonin receptors and D2 dopamine receptors. Buspirone, a nonaddictive azapirone, acts as an agonist or partial agonist of 5-HT1 serotonin receptors, and is effective in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder.
Dextroamphetamine is a stimulant and is an effective treatment for ADHD.



A7-year-old boy presents with his mother who reports he cannot pay attention and is having severe problems at school because of this and his hyperactivity. According to the clinical vignette, select the pharmacotherapeutic agent which is most likely to be helpful to the patient.

  1. buspirone
  2. sertraline
  3. risperidone
  4. lithium carbonate
  5. acamprosate
  6. dextroamphetamine

Answer(s): F

Explanation:

Lithium carbonate is an effective treatment for manic and depressive episodes due to bipolar I disorder, as well as for the prophylaxis of manic and depressive episodes in patients with bipolar I disorder. It can impede the release of thyroid hormone from the thyroid, and it can reduce the ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine; its use requires regular blood levels to ensure the avoidance of toxic blood levels that could cause tremor, dysarthria, ataxia, or death. Acamprosate (Campral) is gabanergic and decreases the craving for alcohol in patients with alcohol dependence. Sertraline (Zoloft) is a SSRI which is effective in the treatment of major
depressive disorder, as well as in the treatment of panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and PTSD. Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic that is effective in the treatment of psychotic conditions, including schizophrenia, and is associated with fewer serious longterm side effects, such as tardive dyskinesia, than traditional neuroleptics. Risperidone is a potent blocker of both 5-HT2 serotonin receptors and D2 dopamine receptors. Buspirone, a nonaddictive azapirone, acts as an agonist or partial agonist of 5-HT1 serotonin receptors, and is effective in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder.
Dextroamphetamine is a stimulant and is an effective treatment for ADHD.



Identify the following personality disorders with the symptoms listed below. Is quick to perceive a slight as an attack or assault on one's character

  1. antisocial
  2. avoidant
  3. borderline
  4. dependent
  5. histrionic
  6. narcissistic
  7. obsessive-compulsive
  8. paranoid
  9. schizoid
  10. schizotypal

Answer(s): H

Explanation:

Persons with personality disorders are rigidly bound to the use of patterns of defense and various traits that distinguish the disorders. All have problems with interpersonal relationships.



Identify the following personality disorders with the symptoms listed below. Preoccupied with feelings of superstitiousness; has a sixth sense; seems odd

  1. antisocial
  2. avoidant
  3. borderline
  4. dependent
  5. histrionic
  6. narcissistic
  7. obsessive-compulsive
  8. paranoid
  9. schizoid
  10. schizotypal

Answer(s): J

Explanation:

Persons with personality disorders are rigidly bound to the use of patterns of defense and various traits that distinguish the disorders. All have problems with interpersonal relationships



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