NSG 552 Exam 1 – Wilkes Psychopharmacology Study Guide 2026 UPDATE
1. Which neurotransmitter is considered the primary inhibitory transmitter in the mammalian
central nervous system?
A. Glutamate
B. GABA
C. Dopamine
D. Norepinephrine
Answer: B
Rationale: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter,
while Glutamate is the primary excitatory one.
2. What is the primary mechanism of action for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
(SSRIs)?
A. Antagonizing 5-HT2A receptors
B. Inhibiting the SERT protein
C. Stimulating GABA production
D. Blocking dopamine reuptake
Answer: B
,Rationale: SSRIs work by blocking the serotonin transporter (SERT), leading to increased
serotonin levels in the synaptic cleft.
3. Which Cytochrome P450 enzyme is responsible for metabolizing approximately 50% of all
clinically used drugs?
A. CYP2D6
B. CYP1A2
C. CYP3A4
D. CYP2C19
Answer: C
Rationale: CYP3A4 is the most prevalent enzyme in the liver and is responsible for the
metabolism of the majority of psychiatric and non-psychiatric medications.
4. A patient taking an MAOI must avoid foods high in tyramine to prevent which medical
emergency?
A. Serotonin Syndrome
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
D. Hypertensive Crisis
Answer: D
, Rationale: Tyramine acts as a catecholamine releasing agent; when MAO is inhibited,
tyramine can cause a massive release of norepinephrine, leading to a hypertensive crisis.
5. How many half-lives does it typically take for a drug to reach steady-state plasma
concentrations?
A. 1 to 2
B. 7 to 8
C. 10 to 12
D. 4 to 5
Answer: D
Rationale: Pharmacokinetically, it takes approximately 4 to 5 half-lives for a drug’s
elimination to equal its intake, achieving steady state.
6. Which dopamine pathway is primarily associated with the development of Extrapyramidal
Symptoms (EPS) when D2 receptors are blocked?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Nigrostriatal pathway
C. Mesocortical pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: B
1. Which neurotransmitter is considered the primary inhibitory transmitter in the mammalian
central nervous system?
A. Glutamate
B. GABA
C. Dopamine
D. Norepinephrine
Answer: B
Rationale: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter,
while Glutamate is the primary excitatory one.
2. What is the primary mechanism of action for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
(SSRIs)?
A. Antagonizing 5-HT2A receptors
B. Inhibiting the SERT protein
C. Stimulating GABA production
D. Blocking dopamine reuptake
Answer: B
,Rationale: SSRIs work by blocking the serotonin transporter (SERT), leading to increased
serotonin levels in the synaptic cleft.
3. Which Cytochrome P450 enzyme is responsible for metabolizing approximately 50% of all
clinically used drugs?
A. CYP2D6
B. CYP1A2
C. CYP3A4
D. CYP2C19
Answer: C
Rationale: CYP3A4 is the most prevalent enzyme in the liver and is responsible for the
metabolism of the majority of psychiatric and non-psychiatric medications.
4. A patient taking an MAOI must avoid foods high in tyramine to prevent which medical
emergency?
A. Serotonin Syndrome
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
D. Hypertensive Crisis
Answer: D
, Rationale: Tyramine acts as a catecholamine releasing agent; when MAO is inhibited,
tyramine can cause a massive release of norepinephrine, leading to a hypertensive crisis.
5. How many half-lives does it typically take for a drug to reach steady-state plasma
concentrations?
A. 1 to 2
B. 7 to 8
C. 10 to 12
D. 4 to 5
Answer: D
Rationale: Pharmacokinetically, it takes approximately 4 to 5 half-lives for a drug’s
elimination to equal its intake, achieving steady state.
6. Which dopamine pathway is primarily associated with the development of Extrapyramidal
Symptoms (EPS) when D2 receptors are blocked?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Nigrostriatal pathway
C. Mesocortical pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: B
