NSG 526 FINAL EXAM PREP 2026/2027
QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026/2027 UPDATE. GRADED A+
1. Which dopamine pathway is primarily responsible for the positive symptoms of
schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions?
A. Mesocortical pathway
B. Mesolimbic pathway
C. Nigrostriatal pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The mesolimbic pathway is associated with reward and
pleasure, and overactivity in this pathway is linked to the positive symptoms of
schizophrenia.
2. A patient taking Haloperidol presents with high fever, muscle rigidity, and autonomic
instability. Which life-threatening condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
B. Serotonin Syndrome
C. Anticholinergic Toxicity
,D. Tardive Dyskinesia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: NMS is a rare but fatal reaction to antipsychotics characterized
by ‘lead pipe’ rigidity, hyperpyrexia, and unstable vital signs.
3. Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in the mechanism of action of
Benzodiazepines?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Glutamate
D. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effect of GABA, an
inhibitory neurotransmitter, at the GABA-A receptor.
4. A patient is prescribed Clozapine (Clozaril). Which laboratory value is the most critical for
the nurse to monitor regularly?
A. Serum Glucose
B. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
C. Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
D. Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a black box warning for agranulocytosis;
therefore, regular monitoring of the ANC is required by the REMS program.
5. Which antidepressant class requires a strict low-tyramine diet to prevent a hypertensive
crisis?
A. SSRIs
B. SNRIs
C. TCAs
D. MAOIs
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) prevent the breakdown
of tyramine; high levels of tyramine can lead to massive norepinephrine release and
hypertensive crisis.
6. In the brain, which structure is considered the ‘emotional center’ and is heavily involved in
the fear response?
A. Hippocampus
B. Thalamus
C. Amygdala
D. Basal Ganglia
QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026/2027 UPDATE. GRADED A+
1. Which dopamine pathway is primarily responsible for the positive symptoms of
schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions?
A. Mesocortical pathway
B. Mesolimbic pathway
C. Nigrostriatal pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The mesolimbic pathway is associated with reward and
pleasure, and overactivity in this pathway is linked to the positive symptoms of
schizophrenia.
2. A patient taking Haloperidol presents with high fever, muscle rigidity, and autonomic
instability. Which life-threatening condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
B. Serotonin Syndrome
C. Anticholinergic Toxicity
,D. Tardive Dyskinesia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: NMS is a rare but fatal reaction to antipsychotics characterized
by ‘lead pipe’ rigidity, hyperpyrexia, and unstable vital signs.
3. Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in the mechanism of action of
Benzodiazepines?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Glutamate
D. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effect of GABA, an
inhibitory neurotransmitter, at the GABA-A receptor.
4. A patient is prescribed Clozapine (Clozaril). Which laboratory value is the most critical for
the nurse to monitor regularly?
A. Serum Glucose
B. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
C. Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
D. Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a black box warning for agranulocytosis;
therefore, regular monitoring of the ANC is required by the REMS program.
5. Which antidepressant class requires a strict low-tyramine diet to prevent a hypertensive
crisis?
A. SSRIs
B. SNRIs
C. TCAs
D. MAOIs
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) prevent the breakdown
of tyramine; high levels of tyramine can lead to massive norepinephrine release and
hypertensive crisis.
6. In the brain, which structure is considered the ‘emotional center’ and is heavily involved in
the fear response?
A. Hippocampus
B. Thalamus
C. Amygdala
D. Basal Ganglia
