Page 1 of 37
NSG 552 EXAM 1 – 2026 WILKES
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY COMPLETE (110) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
NSG
Prepare for the NSG 552 Exam 1 – Wilkes Psychopharmacology with this
comprehensive practice resource designed to strengthen your psychiatric medication
knowledge and exam readiness. It features exam-style questions covering
foundational psychopharmacology concepts, medication classifications,
mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, adverse effects, drug interactions, and
principles of safe medication management. Use it to reinforce essential concepts,
assess your understanding, and build confidence before test day. An excellent study
aid for Wilkes University nursing students preparing for the NSG 552
Psychopharmacology Exam 1.
MULTILE CHOICE.
DOMAIN 1: NEUROBIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (Questions 1–15)
Question 1: The geometric formula for the area of a triangle is:
A. (1/2)bh
B. πr²
C. 2πr
D. l × w
Correct answer: A. (1/2)bh
Rationale: The area of a triangle is calculated using (1/2) × base × height.
Question 2: Which neurotransmitter is the primary excitatory
neurotransmitter in the central nervous system?
A. GABA
B. Glutamate
C. Dopamine
D. Serotonin
, Page 2 of 37
Correct answer: B. Glutamate
Rationale: Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS,
involved in learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity. GABA is the primary
inhibitory neurotransmitter. Dopamine and serotonin are neuromodulators
with more specific roles in reward, mood, and cognition .
Question 3: Which neurotransmitter is the primary inhibitory
neurotransmitter in the central nervous system?
A. GABA
B. Glutamate
C. Dopamine
D. Norepinephrine
Correct answer: A. GABA
Rationale: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the primary inhibitory
neurotransmitter in the CNS, reducing neuronal excitability. Many anxiolytics
and sedatives (e.g., benzodiazepines, barbiturates) enhance GABA activity .
Question 4: The dopamine pathway that is primarily associated with reward,
pleasure, and reinforcement is the:
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Mesocortical pathway
C. Nigrostriatal pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Correct answer: A. Mesolimbic pathway
Rationale: The mesolimbic pathway (ventral tegmental area to nucleus
accumbens) mediates reward, pleasure, and reinforcement. Drugs of abuse
increase dopamine in this pathway .
Question 5: Which dopamine pathway is primarily associated with motor
control and is most affected by antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal
symptoms?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Mesocortical pathway
C. Nigrostriatal pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
, Page 3 of 37
Correct answer: C. Nigrostriatal pathway
Rationale: The nigrostriatal pathway (substantia nigra to striatum) is involved
in motor control. Blockade of dopamine D₂ receptors in this pathway by
antipsychotics causes extrapyramidal symptoms such as dystonia,
parkinsonism, and tardive dyskinesia.
Question 6: Prolactin elevation caused by antipsychotic medications is
primarily due to blockade of dopamine receptors in which pathway?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Mesocortical pathway
C. Nigrostriatal pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Correct answer: D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Rationale: The tuberoinfundibular pathway (hypothalamus to pituitary)
regulates prolactin secretion. Dopamine normally inhibits prolactin release.
Antipsychotic blockade of D₂ receptors in this pathway leads to
hyperprolactinemia, causing galactorrhea, gynecomastia, and sexual
dysfunction .
Question 7: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is composed primarily of:
A. Loose capillary walls that allow all substances to pass freely
B. Tight junctions between capillary endothelial cells, astrocytes, and efflux
transporters like P-glycoprotein
C. Neuronal cell bodies
D. Myelin sheaths
Correct answer: B. Tight junctions between capillary endothelial cells,
astrocytes, and efflux transporters like P-glycoprotein
Rationale: The BBB consists of endothelial cells with tight junctions,
surrounded by astrocytic end-feet, and contains efflux pumps (e.g., P-
glycoprotein) that actively transport substances out of the brain. This limits
CNS entry of many drugs .
Question 8: P-glycoprotein (P-gp) functions in the blood-brain barrier to:
A. Actively transport drugs into the brain
B. Actively efflux drugs out of the brain, limiting CNS penetration
, Page 4 of 37
C. Metabolize drugs within the brain
D. Produce cerebrospinal fluid
Correct answer: B. Actively efflux drugs out of the brain, limiting CNS
penetration
Rationale: P-gp is an ATP-dependent efflux transporter that pumps
substances (including many drugs) out of the brain and back into the blood.
Some drugs inhibit P-gp, increasing brain concentrations .
Question 9: The basic structural and functional unit of the nervous system is
the:
A. Astrocyte
B. Oligodendrocyte
C. Neuron
D. Microglia
Correct answer: C. Neuron
Rationale: The neuron is the basic structural and functional unit of the
nervous system, responsible for transmitting electrical and chemical signals.
Glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia) provide support,
insulation, and protection.
Question 10: Which glial cell is responsible for forming myelin in the central
nervous system?
A. Astrocyte
B. Oligodendrocyte
C. Schwann cell
D. Microglia
Correct answer: B. Oligodendrocyte
Rationale: Oligodendrocytes form myelin sheaths around axons in the CNS.
Schwann cells form myelin in the peripheral nervous system.
Question 11: The synapse is the junction between two neurons. Which of the
following is the correct sequence of synaptic transmission?
A. Reuptake → Release → Receptor binding → Degradation
B. Synthesis → Release → Receptor binding → Termination
NSG 552 EXAM 1 – 2026 WILKES
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY COMPLETE (110) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
NSG
Prepare for the NSG 552 Exam 1 – Wilkes Psychopharmacology with this
comprehensive practice resource designed to strengthen your psychiatric medication
knowledge and exam readiness. It features exam-style questions covering
foundational psychopharmacology concepts, medication classifications,
mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, adverse effects, drug interactions, and
principles of safe medication management. Use it to reinforce essential concepts,
assess your understanding, and build confidence before test day. An excellent study
aid for Wilkes University nursing students preparing for the NSG 552
Psychopharmacology Exam 1.
MULTILE CHOICE.
DOMAIN 1: NEUROBIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (Questions 1–15)
Question 1: The geometric formula for the area of a triangle is:
A. (1/2)bh
B. πr²
C. 2πr
D. l × w
Correct answer: A. (1/2)bh
Rationale: The area of a triangle is calculated using (1/2) × base × height.
Question 2: Which neurotransmitter is the primary excitatory
neurotransmitter in the central nervous system?
A. GABA
B. Glutamate
C. Dopamine
D. Serotonin
, Page 2 of 37
Correct answer: B. Glutamate
Rationale: Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS,
involved in learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity. GABA is the primary
inhibitory neurotransmitter. Dopamine and serotonin are neuromodulators
with more specific roles in reward, mood, and cognition .
Question 3: Which neurotransmitter is the primary inhibitory
neurotransmitter in the central nervous system?
A. GABA
B. Glutamate
C. Dopamine
D. Norepinephrine
Correct answer: A. GABA
Rationale: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the primary inhibitory
neurotransmitter in the CNS, reducing neuronal excitability. Many anxiolytics
and sedatives (e.g., benzodiazepines, barbiturates) enhance GABA activity .
Question 4: The dopamine pathway that is primarily associated with reward,
pleasure, and reinforcement is the:
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Mesocortical pathway
C. Nigrostriatal pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Correct answer: A. Mesolimbic pathway
Rationale: The mesolimbic pathway (ventral tegmental area to nucleus
accumbens) mediates reward, pleasure, and reinforcement. Drugs of abuse
increase dopamine in this pathway .
Question 5: Which dopamine pathway is primarily associated with motor
control and is most affected by antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal
symptoms?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Mesocortical pathway
C. Nigrostriatal pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
, Page 3 of 37
Correct answer: C. Nigrostriatal pathway
Rationale: The nigrostriatal pathway (substantia nigra to striatum) is involved
in motor control. Blockade of dopamine D₂ receptors in this pathway by
antipsychotics causes extrapyramidal symptoms such as dystonia,
parkinsonism, and tardive dyskinesia.
Question 6: Prolactin elevation caused by antipsychotic medications is
primarily due to blockade of dopamine receptors in which pathway?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Mesocortical pathway
C. Nigrostriatal pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Correct answer: D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Rationale: The tuberoinfundibular pathway (hypothalamus to pituitary)
regulates prolactin secretion. Dopamine normally inhibits prolactin release.
Antipsychotic blockade of D₂ receptors in this pathway leads to
hyperprolactinemia, causing galactorrhea, gynecomastia, and sexual
dysfunction .
Question 7: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is composed primarily of:
A. Loose capillary walls that allow all substances to pass freely
B. Tight junctions between capillary endothelial cells, astrocytes, and efflux
transporters like P-glycoprotein
C. Neuronal cell bodies
D. Myelin sheaths
Correct answer: B. Tight junctions between capillary endothelial cells,
astrocytes, and efflux transporters like P-glycoprotein
Rationale: The BBB consists of endothelial cells with tight junctions,
surrounded by astrocytic end-feet, and contains efflux pumps (e.g., P-
glycoprotein) that actively transport substances out of the brain. This limits
CNS entry of many drugs .
Question 8: P-glycoprotein (P-gp) functions in the blood-brain barrier to:
A. Actively transport drugs into the brain
B. Actively efflux drugs out of the brain, limiting CNS penetration
, Page 4 of 37
C. Metabolize drugs within the brain
D. Produce cerebrospinal fluid
Correct answer: B. Actively efflux drugs out of the brain, limiting CNS
penetration
Rationale: P-gp is an ATP-dependent efflux transporter that pumps
substances (including many drugs) out of the brain and back into the blood.
Some drugs inhibit P-gp, increasing brain concentrations .
Question 9: The basic structural and functional unit of the nervous system is
the:
A. Astrocyte
B. Oligodendrocyte
C. Neuron
D. Microglia
Correct answer: C. Neuron
Rationale: The neuron is the basic structural and functional unit of the
nervous system, responsible for transmitting electrical and chemical signals.
Glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia) provide support,
insulation, and protection.
Question 10: Which glial cell is responsible for forming myelin in the central
nervous system?
A. Astrocyte
B. Oligodendrocyte
C. Schwann cell
D. Microglia
Correct answer: B. Oligodendrocyte
Rationale: Oligodendrocytes form myelin sheaths around axons in the CNS.
Schwann cells form myelin in the peripheral nervous system.
Question 11: The synapse is the junction between two neurons. Which of the
following is the correct sequence of synaptic transmission?
A. Reuptake → Release → Receptor binding → Degradation
B. Synthesis → Release → Receptor binding → Termination
