NR 546 MIDTERM EXAM 3 - ADVANCED
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS (LATEST), (A+
GUARANTEE). JUST RELEASED
1. A patient taking Clozapine presents with a sudden onset of fever, sore throat, and malaise.
Which laboratory value is the most critical to assess immediately?
A. Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
B. Platelet count
C. Liver function tests
D. Serum Creatinine
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a Black Box Warning for agranulocytosis. A
sudden fever and sore throat are clinical signs of infection resulting from a severely low
white blood cell count, specifically the ANC.
2. Which dopaminergic pathway is primarily responsible for the development of
Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) when blocked by first-generation antipsychotics?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Nigrostriatal pathway
,C. Mesocortical pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Blockade of D2 receptors in the nigrostriatal pathway results in
motor side effects known as EPS, including dystonia, akathisia, and parkinsonism.
3. A patient diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder is prescribed Lithium. The patient reports severe
diarrhea, vomiting, and ataxia. What is the most likely cause?
A. Normal therapeutic side effects
B. Serotonin Syndrome
C. Lithium toxicity
D. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Gastrointestinal distress, ataxia, slurred speech, and tremors are
hallmark signs of Lithium toxicity, often occurring when levels exceed 1.5 mEq/L.
4. What is the mechanism of action of Buspirone in the treatment of Generalized Anxiety
Disorder?
A. GABA-A positive allosteric modulator
B. 5-HT1A partial agonist
C. Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
, D. NMDA receptor antagonist
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Buspirone acts as a partial agonist at the 5-HT1A receptor,
helping to regulate serotonin levels without the sedative or addictive properties of
benzodiazepines.
5. Which antidepressant is contraindicated in patients with a history of seizure disorders or
eating disorders due to an increased risk of seizures?
A. Bupropion
B. Sertraline
C. Fluoxetine
D. Duloxetine
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold, particularly in patients
with electrolyte imbalances or metabolic disturbances associated with eating disorders.
6. A patient on a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) consumes aged cheese and wine.
They present to the ER with a blood pressure of 210/120 mmHg. This condition is caused by
an excess of:
A. Dopamine
B. Tryptophan
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS (LATEST), (A+
GUARANTEE). JUST RELEASED
1. A patient taking Clozapine presents with a sudden onset of fever, sore throat, and malaise.
Which laboratory value is the most critical to assess immediately?
A. Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
B. Platelet count
C. Liver function tests
D. Serum Creatinine
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a Black Box Warning for agranulocytosis. A
sudden fever and sore throat are clinical signs of infection resulting from a severely low
white blood cell count, specifically the ANC.
2. Which dopaminergic pathway is primarily responsible for the development of
Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) when blocked by first-generation antipsychotics?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Nigrostriatal pathway
,C. Mesocortical pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Blockade of D2 receptors in the nigrostriatal pathway results in
motor side effects known as EPS, including dystonia, akathisia, and parkinsonism.
3. A patient diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder is prescribed Lithium. The patient reports severe
diarrhea, vomiting, and ataxia. What is the most likely cause?
A. Normal therapeutic side effects
B. Serotonin Syndrome
C. Lithium toxicity
D. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Gastrointestinal distress, ataxia, slurred speech, and tremors are
hallmark signs of Lithium toxicity, often occurring when levels exceed 1.5 mEq/L.
4. What is the mechanism of action of Buspirone in the treatment of Generalized Anxiety
Disorder?
A. GABA-A positive allosteric modulator
B. 5-HT1A partial agonist
C. Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
, D. NMDA receptor antagonist
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Buspirone acts as a partial agonist at the 5-HT1A receptor,
helping to regulate serotonin levels without the sedative or addictive properties of
benzodiazepines.
5. Which antidepressant is contraindicated in patients with a history of seizure disorders or
eating disorders due to an increased risk of seizures?
A. Bupropion
B. Sertraline
C. Fluoxetine
D. Duloxetine
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold, particularly in patients
with electrolyte imbalances or metabolic disturbances associated with eating disorders.
6. A patient on a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) consumes aged cheese and wine.
They present to the ER with a blood pressure of 210/120 mmHg. This condition is caused by
an excess of:
A. Dopamine
B. Tryptophan
