NR546 FINAL EXAM 2026! The Complete 75-Question Actual Exam Vault with Verified Answers, Rationales, and Prescribing Pearls | NR546 Advanced Psychopharmacology for the PMHNP | Includes Midterm and Final Examplify Online Proctored Questions with C

Q1: MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) affect which neurotransmitters? A. Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine B. Serotonin, GABA, Glutamate C. Acetylcholine, Dopamine, Norepinephrine D. Dopamine, GABA, Acetylcholine Answer: A. Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine Rationale: Monoamine oxidase inhibitors block the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which metabolizes monoamine neurotransmitters. By inhibiting this enzyme, MAOIs increase the availability of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the synaptic cleft, thereby elevating mood . ________________________________________ Q2: Which of the following is an excitatory neurotransmitter? A. GABA B. Serotonin C. Glutamate D. Dopamine Answer: C. Glutamate Rationale: Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. Serotonin and dopamine are modulatory monoamines that can have either excitatory or inhibitory effects depending on the receptor subtype and location . ________________________________________ Q3: Which dopamine pathway is associated with positive symptoms of schizophrenia? A. Mesocortical pathway B. Nigrostriatal pathway C. Tuberoinfundibular pathway D. Mesolimbic pathway Answer: D. Mesolimbic pathway Rationale: The mesolimbic dopamine pathway projects from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the nucleus accumbens. Hyperactivity in this pathway is associated with positive symptoms of schizophrenia, including hallucinations and delusions . ________________________________________ Q4: Which dopamine pathway is associated with negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia? A. Mesocortical pathway B. Mesolimbic pathway C. Nigrostriatal pathway D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway Answer: A. Mesocortical pathway Rationale: The mesocortical pathway projects from the VTA to the prefrontal cortex. Hypoactivity in this pathway is associated with negative symptoms (avolition, flat affect, social withdrawal) and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia . ________________________________________ Q5: The nigrostriatal pathway is associated with which clinical symptoms when blocked by antipsychotics? A. Positive symptoms improvement B. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) C. Prolactin elevation D. Cognitive improvement Answer: B. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) Rationale: The nigrostriatal pathway, located in the basal ganglia, is responsible for motor control and voluntary movement. D2 receptor blockade by antipsychotics in this pathway can cause extrapyramidal symptoms including parkinsonism, dystonia, and tardive dyskinesia . ________________________________________ Q6: Which dopamine pathway is associated with hyperprolactinemia? A. Mesolimbic pathway B. Mesocortical pathway C. Nigrostriatal pathway D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway Answer: D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway Rationale: The tuberoinfundibular pathway projects from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland. Dopamine normally inhibits prolactin release. When D2 receptors in this pathway are blocked by antipsychotics, prolactin levels rise, leading to galactorrhea and gynecomastia . ________________________________________ Q7: Which brain structure is most associated with long-term memory? A. Amygdala B. Hippocampus C. Thalamus D. Basal ganglia Answer: B. Hippocampus Rationale: The hippocampus plays a critical role in the consolidation of information from short-term to long-term memory. It is also involved in spatial memory and navigation . ________________________________________ Q8: Which brain region is associated with impulsivity? A. Dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) B. Hippocampus C. Wernicke's area D. Cerebellum Answer: A. Dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) Rationale: The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex is associated with impulsivity and plays a role in cognitive control and error detection. Dysfunction in this area contributes to impulsive behaviors in various psychiatric conditions . ________________________________________ Q9: Wernicke's area is associated with which function? A. Speech production B. Speech comprehension C. Visual processing D. Motor coordination Answer: B. Speech comprehension Rationale: Wernicke's area, located in the superior temporal gyrus, is responsible for language comprehension. Damage to this area results in receptive aphasia, where individuals can produce speech but cannot understand language . ________________________________________ Q10: The limbic system is associated with which functions? A. Motor control and coordination B. Emotion and learning C. Speech and language D. Visual processing Answer: B. Emotion and learning Rationale: The li