NR 546 MIDTERM EXAM 2: ADVANCED
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS (LATEST), (A+
GUARANTEE). JUST RELEASED
1. Which dopaminergic pathway is primarily associated with the positive symptoms of
schizophrenia such as hallucinations and delusions?
A. Mesocortical pathway
B. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
C. Nigrostriatal pathway
D. Mesolimbic pathway
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Overactivity in the mesolimbic pathway is linked to positive
symptoms of schizophrenia. The mesocortical pathway is linked to negative symptoms,
nigrostriatal to motor side effects, and tuberoinfundibular to prolactin secretion.
2. A patient taking Clozapine must have regular blood monitoring for which life-threatening
condition?
A. Thrombocytopenia
B. Severe Aplastic Anemia
,C. Severe Neutropenia (Agranulocytosis)
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a black box warning for severe neutropenia
(ANC < 500/µL), necessitating regular Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) monitoring.
3. Which of the following describes the mechanism of action of Buspirone?
A. GABA-A positive allosteric modulator
B. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
C. Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist
D. 5-HT1A partial agonist
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Buspirone is a 5-HT1A partial agonist used primarily for
Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It does not have the same addictive potential or sedative
profile as benzodiazepines.
4. What is the primary mechanism of action for second-generation (atypical) antipsychotics
that distinguishes them from first-generation antipsychotics?
A. Potent D2 receptor antagonism only
B. Inhibition of the Serotonin transporter
C. GABA receptor agonism
, D. 5-HT2A receptor antagonism coupled with D2 antagonism
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Atypical antipsychotics are characterized by their 5-HT2A
antagonism, which modulates dopamine release and helps reduce Extrapyramidal
Symptoms (EPS) compared to first-generation drugs.
5. A patient is prescribed an MAOI (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor). They must avoid foods
high in which substance to prevent a hypertensive crisis?
A. Tryptophan
B. Glutamine
C. Phenylalanine
D. Tyramine
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Tyramine in the diet can lead to a hypertensive crisis in patients
on MAOIs because MAO-A is inhibited, preventing the breakdown of tyramine, which then
acts as a sympathomimetic agent.
6. Lithium toxicity can be precipitated by which of the following medications?
A. NSAIDs like Ibuprofen
B. Acetaminophen
C. Aspirin
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS (LATEST), (A+
GUARANTEE). JUST RELEASED
1. Which dopaminergic pathway is primarily associated with the positive symptoms of
schizophrenia such as hallucinations and delusions?
A. Mesocortical pathway
B. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
C. Nigrostriatal pathway
D. Mesolimbic pathway
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Overactivity in the mesolimbic pathway is linked to positive
symptoms of schizophrenia. The mesocortical pathway is linked to negative symptoms,
nigrostriatal to motor side effects, and tuberoinfundibular to prolactin secretion.
2. A patient taking Clozapine must have regular blood monitoring for which life-threatening
condition?
A. Thrombocytopenia
B. Severe Aplastic Anemia
,C. Severe Neutropenia (Agranulocytosis)
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a black box warning for severe neutropenia
(ANC < 500/µL), necessitating regular Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) monitoring.
3. Which of the following describes the mechanism of action of Buspirone?
A. GABA-A positive allosteric modulator
B. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
C. Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist
D. 5-HT1A partial agonist
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Buspirone is a 5-HT1A partial agonist used primarily for
Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It does not have the same addictive potential or sedative
profile as benzodiazepines.
4. What is the primary mechanism of action for second-generation (atypical) antipsychotics
that distinguishes them from first-generation antipsychotics?
A. Potent D2 receptor antagonism only
B. Inhibition of the Serotonin transporter
C. GABA receptor agonism
, D. 5-HT2A receptor antagonism coupled with D2 antagonism
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Atypical antipsychotics are characterized by their 5-HT2A
antagonism, which modulates dopamine release and helps reduce Extrapyramidal
Symptoms (EPS) compared to first-generation drugs.
5. A patient is prescribed an MAOI (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor). They must avoid foods
high in which substance to prevent a hypertensive crisis?
A. Tryptophan
B. Glutamine
C. Phenylalanine
D. Tyramine
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Tyramine in the diet can lead to a hypertensive crisis in patients
on MAOIs because MAO-A is inhibited, preventing the breakdown of tyramine, which then
acts as a sympathomimetic agent.
6. Lithium toxicity can be precipitated by which of the following medications?
A. NSAIDs like Ibuprofen
B. Acetaminophen
C. Aspirin
