https://www.stuvia.com/user/Performance
NRNP 6630 – PMHNP MIDTERM UPDATED!!! EXAMINATION –
QUESTIONS With Answers and Rationales
SECTION 1: NEUROBIOLOGY & PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
FOUNDATIONS (Questions)
1. The primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central
nervous system is:
A) GABA
B) Glutamate
C) Dopamine
D) Serotonin
Answer: B
Rationale: Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter;
GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter.
2. The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS is:
A) Glutamate
B) Dopamine
C) GABA
D) Norepinephrine
Answer: C
Rationale: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the primary
inhibitory neurotransmitter.
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3. Which neurotransmitter is most associated with the
pathophysiology of schizophrenia?
A) Serotonin
B) Dopamine
C) GABA
D) Glutamate
Answer: B
Rationale: The dopamine hypothesis links excess dopamine to
schizophrenia symptoms.
4. Which neurotransmitter is most associated with depression
according to the monoamine hypothesis?
A) Dopamine only
B) Serotonin and norepinephrine
C) GABA only
D) Glutamate only
Answer: B
Rationale: The monoamine hypothesis implicates deficiencies
in serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
5. Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in anxiety
disorders?
A) Dopamine
B) GABA deficiency and serotonin dysfunction
C) Glutamate excess only
D) Acetylcholine
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Answer: B
Rationale: Anxiety involves GABA deficiency and
serotonin/norepinephrine dysregulation.
6. The enzyme responsible for breaking down dopamine,
norepinephrine, and serotonin in the synaptic cleft is:
A) Acetylcholinesterase
B) Monoamine oxidase (MAO)
C) Tyrosine hydroxylase
D) Tryptophan hydroxylase
Answer: B
Rationale: MAO degrades monoamines.
7. SSRIs work primarily by:
A) Blocking serotonin reuptake
B) Blocking dopamine reuptake
C) Increasing GABA
D) Blocking norepinephrine reuptake only
Answer: A
Rationale: SSRIs selectively block serotonin reuptake.
8. The mechanism of action of benzodiazepines is:
A) Dopamine antagonism
B) GABA-A receptor positive allosteric modulation
C) Serotonin reuptake inhibition
D) Norepinephrine blockade
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Answer: B
Rationale: Benzodiazepines enhance GABA-A receptor function.
9. The first-line medication class for Generalized Anxiety
Disorder is:
A) Benzodiazepines
B) SSRIs/SNRIs
C) Antipsychotics
D) Stimulants
Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs and SNRIs are first-line due to efficacy and
safety.
10. The therapeutic effect of antidepressants typically occurs
after:
A) 1-2 days
B) 1 week
C) 2-4 weeks
D) 6 months
Answer: C
Rationale: Antidepressant effects are delayed 2-4 weeks,
though some improvement may be seen earlier.
11. "Serotonin syndrome" is most likely when an SSRI is
combined with:
A) A beta-blocker
B) An MAOI
NRNP 6630 – PMHNP MIDTERM UPDATED!!! EXAMINATION –
QUESTIONS With Answers and Rationales
SECTION 1: NEUROBIOLOGY & PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
FOUNDATIONS (Questions)
1. The primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central
nervous system is:
A) GABA
B) Glutamate
C) Dopamine
D) Serotonin
Answer: B
Rationale: Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter;
GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter.
2. The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS is:
A) Glutamate
B) Dopamine
C) GABA
D) Norepinephrine
Answer: C
Rationale: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the primary
inhibitory neurotransmitter.
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/Performance
3. Which neurotransmitter is most associated with the
pathophysiology of schizophrenia?
A) Serotonin
B) Dopamine
C) GABA
D) Glutamate
Answer: B
Rationale: The dopamine hypothesis links excess dopamine to
schizophrenia symptoms.
4. Which neurotransmitter is most associated with depression
according to the monoamine hypothesis?
A) Dopamine only
B) Serotonin and norepinephrine
C) GABA only
D) Glutamate only
Answer: B
Rationale: The monoamine hypothesis implicates deficiencies
in serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
5. Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in anxiety
disorders?
A) Dopamine
B) GABA deficiency and serotonin dysfunction
C) Glutamate excess only
D) Acetylcholine
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/Performance
Answer: B
Rationale: Anxiety involves GABA deficiency and
serotonin/norepinephrine dysregulation.
6. The enzyme responsible for breaking down dopamine,
norepinephrine, and serotonin in the synaptic cleft is:
A) Acetylcholinesterase
B) Monoamine oxidase (MAO)
C) Tyrosine hydroxylase
D) Tryptophan hydroxylase
Answer: B
Rationale: MAO degrades monoamines.
7. SSRIs work primarily by:
A) Blocking serotonin reuptake
B) Blocking dopamine reuptake
C) Increasing GABA
D) Blocking norepinephrine reuptake only
Answer: A
Rationale: SSRIs selectively block serotonin reuptake.
8. The mechanism of action of benzodiazepines is:
A) Dopamine antagonism
B) GABA-A receptor positive allosteric modulation
C) Serotonin reuptake inhibition
D) Norepinephrine blockade
, https://www.stuvia.com/user/Performance
Answer: B
Rationale: Benzodiazepines enhance GABA-A receptor function.
9. The first-line medication class for Generalized Anxiety
Disorder is:
A) Benzodiazepines
B) SSRIs/SNRIs
C) Antipsychotics
D) Stimulants
Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs and SNRIs are first-line due to efficacy and
safety.
10. The therapeutic effect of antidepressants typically occurs
after:
A) 1-2 days
B) 1 week
C) 2-4 weeks
D) 6 months
Answer: C
Rationale: Antidepressant effects are delayed 2-4 weeks,
though some improvement may be seen earlier.
11. "Serotonin syndrome" is most likely when an SSRI is
combined with:
A) A beta-blocker
B) An MAOI
