NRNP 6675 GERIATRIC
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND
NEUROCOGNITIVE DISORDERS. EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS.
1. Which of the following is the hallmark clinical feature that distinguishes Delirium from
Dementia?
A. Fluctuating level of consciousness
B. Gradual onset over months
C. Intact orientation to person
D. Presence of aphasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset and a fluctuating
course of consciousness and attention, whereas Dementia is typically stable and
progressive.
2. A 75-year-old patient presents with visual hallucinations, parkinsonism, and extreme
sensitivity to antipsychotic medications. Which diagnosis is most likely?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
,B. Lewy Body Dementia
C. Vascular Dementia
D. Frontotemporal Dementia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Lewy Body Dementia is characterized by the triad of visual
hallucinations, spontaneous parkinsonism features, and fluctuating cognition.
3. Which medication is classified as an NMDA receptor antagonist used in the treatment of
moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease?
A. Donepezil
B. Galantamine
C. Memantine
D. Rivastigmine
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Memantine (Namenda) is an NMDA receptor antagonist; the
others listed are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.
4. According to the Beers Criteria, which class of medications should be avoided in older
adults due to high risk of falls and fractures?
A. Benzodiazepines
B. Beta-blockers
, C. Statins
D. Proton Pump Inhibitors
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Benzodiazepines increase the risk of cognitive impairment,
delirium, falls, and fractures in the elderly population.
5. What is the primary mechanism of action for Donepezil in treating cognitive symptoms?
A. Increasing Dopamine levels
B. Antagonizing Glutamate
C. Blocking Serotonin reuptake
D. Inhibiting Acetylcholinesterase
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Donepezil works by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase,
thereby increasing the availability of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft.
6. A ‘step-wise’ decline in cognitive function is most commonly associated with which type of
dementia?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Pick’s Disease
C. Vascular Dementia
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND
NEUROCOGNITIVE DISORDERS. EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS.
1. Which of the following is the hallmark clinical feature that distinguishes Delirium from
Dementia?
A. Fluctuating level of consciousness
B. Gradual onset over months
C. Intact orientation to person
D. Presence of aphasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset and a fluctuating
course of consciousness and attention, whereas Dementia is typically stable and
progressive.
2. A 75-year-old patient presents with visual hallucinations, parkinsonism, and extreme
sensitivity to antipsychotic medications. Which diagnosis is most likely?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
,B. Lewy Body Dementia
C. Vascular Dementia
D. Frontotemporal Dementia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Lewy Body Dementia is characterized by the triad of visual
hallucinations, spontaneous parkinsonism features, and fluctuating cognition.
3. Which medication is classified as an NMDA receptor antagonist used in the treatment of
moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease?
A. Donepezil
B. Galantamine
C. Memantine
D. Rivastigmine
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Memantine (Namenda) is an NMDA receptor antagonist; the
others listed are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.
4. According to the Beers Criteria, which class of medications should be avoided in older
adults due to high risk of falls and fractures?
A. Benzodiazepines
B. Beta-blockers
, C. Statins
D. Proton Pump Inhibitors
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Benzodiazepines increase the risk of cognitive impairment,
delirium, falls, and fractures in the elderly population.
5. What is the primary mechanism of action for Donepezil in treating cognitive symptoms?
A. Increasing Dopamine levels
B. Antagonizing Glutamate
C. Blocking Serotonin reuptake
D. Inhibiting Acetylcholinesterase
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Donepezil works by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase,
thereby increasing the availability of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft.
6. A ‘step-wise’ decline in cognitive function is most commonly associated with which type of
dementia?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Pick’s Disease
C. Vascular Dementia
