NR546 PSYCHOPHARM MIDTERM EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT SOLUTIONS
2026-2027
How does the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) affect the amygdala? ANSWER > inhibits and
activates the amygdala
Wernicke's area is associated with which of the following? ANSWER > speech
comprehension
The limbic system is associated with which of the following ANSWER > emotion and
learning
Which brain structure is most associated with long term memory? ANSWER >
hippocampus
When prescribing psychotropic medications, the PMHNP knows that these medications
work within which specific areas? ANSWER > mood
1
, Which of the following are involved in regulating neurotransmission via excitation-
secretion coupling? ANSWER > voltage-sensitive sodium channels and voltage-
sensitive calcium channels
What system influences the length of time for a drug to achieve efficacy? ANSWER >
signal transduction cascades
One of the signal transduction cascades, pass the message from a first receptor to a
second messenger. ANSWER > G protein linked systems
Human central nervous system communication at synapses is which of the following?
ANSWER > chemical
Which of the following is an excitatory neurotransmitter? ANSWER > glutamate
Which statement correctly pairs the pharmacodynamic effect with its definition?
ANSWER > antagonist effect - drug binds to receptor, but does not activate a response
A major current hypothesis for the cause of schizophrenia proposes that N-methyl-d-
aspartate (NMDA) receptors may be which of the following?
Correct! ANSWER > hypofunctional
Which medication is least associated with weight gain? ANSWER > aripiprazole
Which dopamine pathway is associated with positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
ANSWER > mesolimbic pathway
Which pathway is associated with negative symptoms? ANSWER > The mesocortical
pathway
Is part of the extrapyramidal nervous system and associated with extrapyramidal
symptoms (EPS) ANSWER > nigrostriatal pathway
This pathway is associated with hyperprolactinemia. ANSWER > The tuberoinfundibular
pathway
A 34-year old male recently began experiencing breast secretions while receiving
risperidone . Which dopamine pathway is associated with this side effect? ANSWER >
tuberoinfundibular pathway
A 44-year-old woman is initiated on an atypical antipsychotic for the treatment of
schizophrenia. Regarding affinity, atypical antipsychotics demonstrate which of the
following most often? ANSWER > Atypical antipsychotics have equal positive symptom
antipsychotic actions and low extrapyramidal symptoms.
2
QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT SOLUTIONS
2026-2027
How does the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) affect the amygdala? ANSWER > inhibits and
activates the amygdala
Wernicke's area is associated with which of the following? ANSWER > speech
comprehension
The limbic system is associated with which of the following ANSWER > emotion and
learning
Which brain structure is most associated with long term memory? ANSWER >
hippocampus
When prescribing psychotropic medications, the PMHNP knows that these medications
work within which specific areas? ANSWER > mood
1
, Which of the following are involved in regulating neurotransmission via excitation-
secretion coupling? ANSWER > voltage-sensitive sodium channels and voltage-
sensitive calcium channels
What system influences the length of time for a drug to achieve efficacy? ANSWER >
signal transduction cascades
One of the signal transduction cascades, pass the message from a first receptor to a
second messenger. ANSWER > G protein linked systems
Human central nervous system communication at synapses is which of the following?
ANSWER > chemical
Which of the following is an excitatory neurotransmitter? ANSWER > glutamate
Which statement correctly pairs the pharmacodynamic effect with its definition?
ANSWER > antagonist effect - drug binds to receptor, but does not activate a response
A major current hypothesis for the cause of schizophrenia proposes that N-methyl-d-
aspartate (NMDA) receptors may be which of the following?
Correct! ANSWER > hypofunctional
Which medication is least associated with weight gain? ANSWER > aripiprazole
Which dopamine pathway is associated with positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
ANSWER > mesolimbic pathway
Which pathway is associated with negative symptoms? ANSWER > The mesocortical
pathway
Is part of the extrapyramidal nervous system and associated with extrapyramidal
symptoms (EPS) ANSWER > nigrostriatal pathway
This pathway is associated with hyperprolactinemia. ANSWER > The tuberoinfundibular
pathway
A 34-year old male recently began experiencing breast secretions while receiving
risperidone . Which dopamine pathway is associated with this side effect? ANSWER >
tuberoinfundibular pathway
A 44-year-old woman is initiated on an atypical antipsychotic for the treatment of
schizophrenia. Regarding affinity, atypical antipsychotics demonstrate which of the
following most often? ANSWER > Atypical antipsychotics have equal positive symptom
antipsychotic actions and low extrapyramidal symptoms.
2
