Barkley DRT PMHNP 2026–
2027|||questions and answers with
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Question 1
Which neurotransmitter is most closely associated with the regulation of mood,
appetite, and sleep, and is often targeted in the treatment of depression?
A. Dopamine
B. GABA
C. Serotonin
D. Acetylcholine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Serotonin plays a key role in mood regulation, appetite, and sleep. SSRIs
increase serotonin availability, alleviating depressive symptoms. Dopamine relates
more to reward and motivation, GABA to inhibition, and acetylcholine to cognition.
Question 2
Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most closely associated with the positive
symptoms of schizophrenia?
,A. Decreased serotonin
B. Increased dopamine
C. Decreased glutamate
D. Increased GABA
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperactivity of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway is linked to
hallucinations and delusions—core positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
Question 3
Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with positive symptoms of
schizophrenia?
A. Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Acetylcholine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperactivity of dopaminergic pathways (mesolimbic) is associated
with positive psychotic symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.
Question 4
A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing negative symptoms. Which
neurotransmitter system is most implicated in negative symptoms?
,A. Dopamine (mesolimbic hyperactivity)
B. Dopamine (mesocortical hypoactivity)
C. Serotonin (increased activity)
D. GABA (decreased activity)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Negative symptoms of schizophrenia (apathy, anhedonia, social
withdrawal) are associated with hypoactivity of dopamine in the mesocortical
pathway.
Question 5
Which of the following is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central
nervous system?
A. Glutamate
B. GABA
C. Dopamine
D. Norepinephrine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the primary inhibitory
neurotransmitter in the CNS. Glutamate (A) is the primary excitatory
neurotransmitter.
Question 6
, A patient with depression has low levels of serotonin and norepinephrine. Which
medication class would be most appropriate?
A. SSRI
B. SNRI
C. MAOI
D. Tricyclic antidepressant
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) target both
serotonin and norepinephrine, making them appropriate when both
neurotransmitters are implicated.
Question 7
Which of the following neurotransmitters is most associated with the "fight or
flight" response?
A. Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. Norepinephrine
D. Acetylcholine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Norepinephrine is a key neurotransmitter in the sympathetic nervous
system, mediating the "fight or flight" response. It is also implicated in anxiety and
arousal.
2027|||questions and answers with
rationales/graded A+/2026
update/100% correct /instant
download
Question 1
Which neurotransmitter is most closely associated with the regulation of mood,
appetite, and sleep, and is often targeted in the treatment of depression?
A. Dopamine
B. GABA
C. Serotonin
D. Acetylcholine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Serotonin plays a key role in mood regulation, appetite, and sleep. SSRIs
increase serotonin availability, alleviating depressive symptoms. Dopamine relates
more to reward and motivation, GABA to inhibition, and acetylcholine to cognition.
Question 2
Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most closely associated with the positive
symptoms of schizophrenia?
,A. Decreased serotonin
B. Increased dopamine
C. Decreased glutamate
D. Increased GABA
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperactivity of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway is linked to
hallucinations and delusions—core positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
Question 3
Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with positive symptoms of
schizophrenia?
A. Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Acetylcholine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperactivity of dopaminergic pathways (mesolimbic) is associated
with positive psychotic symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.
Question 4
A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing negative symptoms. Which
neurotransmitter system is most implicated in negative symptoms?
,A. Dopamine (mesolimbic hyperactivity)
B. Dopamine (mesocortical hypoactivity)
C. Serotonin (increased activity)
D. GABA (decreased activity)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Negative symptoms of schizophrenia (apathy, anhedonia, social
withdrawal) are associated with hypoactivity of dopamine in the mesocortical
pathway.
Question 5
Which of the following is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central
nervous system?
A. Glutamate
B. GABA
C. Dopamine
D. Norepinephrine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the primary inhibitory
neurotransmitter in the CNS. Glutamate (A) is the primary excitatory
neurotransmitter.
Question 6
, A patient with depression has low levels of serotonin and norepinephrine. Which
medication class would be most appropriate?
A. SSRI
B. SNRI
C. MAOI
D. Tricyclic antidepressant
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) target both
serotonin and norepinephrine, making them appropriate when both
neurotransmitters are implicated.
Question 7
Which of the following neurotransmitters is most associated with the "fight or
flight" response?
A. Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. Norepinephrine
D. Acetylcholine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Norepinephrine is a key neurotransmitter in the sympathetic nervous
system, mediating the "fight or flight" response. It is also implicated in anxiety and
arousal.
