NSG 552 Psychopharmacology Exam 1 Modules 1–3 2026/2027 | 100+ Questions & Answers | Antipsychotics, Antidepressants, EPS, CYP450, Lithium & Mood Stabilizers

This NSG 552 Psychopharmacology Exam 1 Modules 1–3 2026/2027 is a comprehensive 34-page exam question-and-answer study resource with 100+ review questions, definitions, medication facts, adverse effects, monitoring requirements, and treatment concepts. The document covers foundational psychopharmacology and neurobiology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, CYP450 metabolism and drug interactions, neurotransmitters and dopamine pathways, first- and second-generation antipsychotics, extrapyramidal symptoms, schizophrenia pharmacotherapy, antidepressants, serotonin syndrome, bipolar disorder, lithium, anticonvulsant mood stabilizers, and medication toxicity. The cover identifies the resource as an expert-verified Exam 1 review covering Modules 1–3 for the 2026/2027 academic period. The opening modules establish core pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles. Students review absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, drug half-life, therapeutic index, tolerance, receptor binding and affinity, and the differences between agonists, partial agonists, antagonists and inverse agonists. The material gives particular attention to the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme system, explaining inhibition and induction as mechanisms of drug-drug interactions. It discusses how CYP450 inhibitors can decrease metabolism and raise serum drug concentrations, whereas inducers can accelerate hepatic metabolism and lower concentrations. Grapefruit juice is presented as an example of an inhibitor, and an escitalopram scenario illustrates the effect of CYP3A4 induction on drug levels. Neurobiology content reviews the amygdala, thalamus, hypothalamus and frontal lobe, alongside major neurotransmitters including serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, GABA and glutamate. The document organizes dopamine function into the mesolimbic, mesocortical, nigrostriatal and tuberoinfundibular pathways. These pathways are connected respectively with positive psychotic symptoms, negative symptoms, extrapyramidal motor effects and prolactin regulation. The study guide further reviews monoamines and catecholamines and introduces the monoamine theory of depression in relation to serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. A major section examines first-generation and second-generation antipsychotic medications. First-generation or typical agents include haloperidol, chlorpromazine, fluphenazine and perphenazine, while second-generation or atypical agents include aripiprazole, quetiapine, olanzapine, risperidone and clozapine. The questions compare D2 antagonism with combined dopamine-serotonin receptor activity and contrast the greater neurological adverse-effect burden associated with FGAs with the metabolic concerns emphasized for many SGAs. The document also discusses high- versus low-potency antipsychotics, H1-related sedation and weight gain, hyperprolactinemia, metabolic syndrome, QTc prolongation and long-acting injectable formulations. The exam gives extensive attention to extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), tardive dyskinesia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Learners review acute dystonia, akathisia, drug-induced Parkinsonian manifestations and tardive dyskinesia, including characteristic onset patterns and clinical presentations. The document identifies benztropine as its first-line answer for dystonia and propranolol for akathisia. Tardive dyskinesia content includes facial and oral movements, risk factors, the AIMS Scale, and VMAT2 inhibitors such as valbenazine and deutetrabenazine. NMS is presented as a potentially life-threatening reaction characterized by fever, muscle rigidity and altered mental status, with autonomic dysfunction also discussed. Clozapine pharmacology and antipsychotic monitoring receive focused coverage. The resource discusses clozapine in relation to agranulocytosis, sialorrhea, seizures, tardive dyskinesia and suicidal-risk reduction as framed in the document. It reviews ANC monitoring and identifies weight, BMI, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose/A1C and fasting lipid profile as baseline and ongoing parameters for patients receiving second-generation antipsychotics. Risperidone is highlighted in relation to prolactin elevation, while ziprasidone and aripiprazole are presented as comparatively weight-neutral options. The antidepressant pharmacology section compares SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, MAO inhibitors and atypical antidepressants. Specific medications include sertraline, fluoxetine, escitalopram, paroxetine, citalopram, duloxetine, venlafaxine, bupropion, trazodone, mirtazapine, imipramine, nortriptyline, clomipramine, amitriptyline, selegiline and phenelzine. Questions review mechanisms of action, medication selection, half-life, gastrointestinal effects, sexual dysfunction, sedation, weight effects, anticholinergic effects, cardiovascular toxicity and overdose concerns. Bupropion is discussed in relation to norepinephrine/dopamine activity and contraindications involving seizure and eating disorders, while trazodone is associated with priapism and mirtazapine with patients experiencing insomnia and weight loss. High-yield antidepressant safety material includes MAOI dietary restrictions, hypertensive crisis, antidepressant discontinuation syndrome and serotonin syndrome. The document reviews tyramine-containing foods such as aged cheese, cured meats and wine and gives a 14-day washout period when switching between most SSRIs and MAOIs, with a longer period presented for fluoxetine. The FINISH mnemonic summarizes antidepressant discontinuation symptoms: flu-like symptoms, insomnia, nausea, imbalance, sensory disturbances and hyperarousal. Serotonin syndrome is summarized through altered mental status, autonomic nervous system overactivity and neuromuscular hyperactivity. Pediatric material also reviews fluoxetine and escitalopram and the antidepressant black-box warning concerning increased suicidal thoughts or self-harm risk in children and adolescents. The final modules concentrate on bipolar disorder and mood-stabilizing pharmacotherapy. Lithium is identified in the document as the gold-standard treatment for bipolar I disorder and is reviewed alongside valproate, carbamazepine and lamotrigine, with additional discussion of topiramate and gabapentin. Lithium content covers therapeutic serum levels, baseline TSH, creatinine, BUN, pregnancy testing, CBC, CMP and age-related ECG considerations, along with early and later manifestations of toxicity. The study guide also associates lithium with anti-suicidal and neuroprotective properties and reviews its pregnancy-related association with Ebstein anomaly. Anticonvulsant material reviews valproate toxicity, hyperammonemia, hepatic effects, thrombocytopenia, neural-tube defects, carbamazepine auto-induction, agranulocytosis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and lamotrigine-related rash risk. Therapeutic levels are provided for carbamazepine and valproate, and the document outlines baseline laboratory monitoring for both medications. It also emphasizes the interaction between valproate and lamotrigine and the need for lower lamotrigine dosing as presented in the source. The final questions use SIGECAPS to review depressive symptoms and DIGFAST for bipolar/manic symptoms. Relevant students: NSG 552 students, Psychopharmacology students, PMHNP students, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner students, MSN students, DNP students, APRN students, graduate nursing students, advanced pharmacology students, psychiatric nursing students, mental health nursing students, nurse practitioner students, behavioral health students, psychopharmacology exam candidates, advanced practice psychiatric nursing students Source accuracy note: The uploaded document explicitly identifies the course as NSG 552 Psychopharmacology, the assessment as Exam 1, the covered material as Modules 1–3, and the academic period as 2026/2027. It does not identify a university, referenced textbook, peer-reviewed journal, DOI, or formal APA reference list. No unsupported university or academic citation has therefore been invented. 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