NR 546 EXAM 1: ADVANCED
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS (LATEST), (A+
GUARANTEE). JUST RELEASED
1. Which dopamine pathway is primarily responsible for the positive symptoms of
schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions?
A. Mesocortical pathway
B. Nigrostriatal pathway
C. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
D. Mesolimbic pathway
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The mesolimbic pathway involves the projection from the
ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens; overactivity in this pathway is associated
with positive psychotic symptoms.
2. A patient taking a first-generation antipsychotic develops tremors, muscle rigidity, and
bradykinesia. Blockade in which pathway causes these symptoms?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Mesocortical pathway
,C. Nigrostriatal pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The nigrostriatal pathway controls motor function; D2
antagonism here leads to extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and pseudoparkinsonism.
3. Which neurotransmitter is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous
system?
A. GABA
B. Serotonin
C. Glutamate
D. Glycine
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Glutamate is the master switch and primary excitatory
neurotransmitter, while GABA is the primary inhibitory one.
4. What is the mechanism of action for Benzodiazepines?
A. Glutamate NMDA antagonism
B. Dopamine D2 receptor blockade
C. Serotonin 5-HT1A partial agonism
, D. Positive allosteric modulation of GABA-A receptors
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Benzodiazepines bind to a specific site on the GABA-A receptor,
increasing the frequency of chloride channel opening in the presence of GABA.
5. A patient is prescribed an MAOI. Which dietary substance must they avoid to prevent a
hypertensive crisis?
A. Tryptophan
B. Phenylalanine
C. Tyramine
D. Gluten
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: MAOIs inhibit the breakdown of tyramine; high levels of
tyramine can cause the release of excessive norepinephrine, leading to hypertensive crisis.
6. Which CYP450 enzyme is most notably inhibited by Fluoxetine and Paroxetine, potentially
increasing levels of TCAs?
A. CYP3A4
B. CYP2D6
C. CYP1A2
D. CYP2C19
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS (LATEST), (A+
GUARANTEE). JUST RELEASED
1. Which dopamine pathway is primarily responsible for the positive symptoms of
schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions?
A. Mesocortical pathway
B. Nigrostriatal pathway
C. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
D. Mesolimbic pathway
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The mesolimbic pathway involves the projection from the
ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens; overactivity in this pathway is associated
with positive psychotic symptoms.
2. A patient taking a first-generation antipsychotic develops tremors, muscle rigidity, and
bradykinesia. Blockade in which pathway causes these symptoms?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Mesocortical pathway
,C. Nigrostriatal pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The nigrostriatal pathway controls motor function; D2
antagonism here leads to extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and pseudoparkinsonism.
3. Which neurotransmitter is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous
system?
A. GABA
B. Serotonin
C. Glutamate
D. Glycine
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Glutamate is the master switch and primary excitatory
neurotransmitter, while GABA is the primary inhibitory one.
4. What is the mechanism of action for Benzodiazepines?
A. Glutamate NMDA antagonism
B. Dopamine D2 receptor blockade
C. Serotonin 5-HT1A partial agonism
, D. Positive allosteric modulation of GABA-A receptors
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Benzodiazepines bind to a specific site on the GABA-A receptor,
increasing the frequency of chloride channel opening in the presence of GABA.
5. A patient is prescribed an MAOI. Which dietary substance must they avoid to prevent a
hypertensive crisis?
A. Tryptophan
B. Phenylalanine
C. Tyramine
D. Gluten
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: MAOIs inhibit the breakdown of tyramine; high levels of
tyramine can cause the release of excessive norepinephrine, leading to hypertensive crisis.
6. Which CYP450 enzyme is most notably inhibited by Fluoxetine and Paroxetine, potentially
increasing levels of TCAs?
A. CYP3A4
B. CYP2D6
C. CYP1A2
D. CYP2C19
