NR 546 ADVANCED
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS |GRADE A+| JUST
RELEASED CHAMBERLAIN COLLEGE
OF NURSING
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 is associated with reward and
pleasure; hyperactivity in this pathway is linked to the positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
,2. Blockade of dopamine in which pathway is associated with Extrapyramidal Symptoms
(EPS)?
A. Mesocortical pathway
B. Nigrostriatal pathway
C. Mesolimbic pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The nigrostriatal pathway controls motor function.
Antipsychotic-induced D2 blockade here leads to EPS and tardive dyskinesia.
3. Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in the mechanism of action of
benzodiazepines?
A. Glutamate
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Serotonin
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Benzodiazepines act as positive allosteric modulators of the
GABA-A receptor, enhancing the inhibitory effects of GABA.
, 4. A patient taking Clozapine must have regular blood monitoring for which potentially fatal
side effect?
A. Hepatic failure
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Renal toxicity
D. Thrombocytopenia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a risk of severe neutropenia (agranulocytosis),
requiring regular Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) monitoring.
5. Which antidepressant is contraindicated in patients with a history of seizure disorders or
eating disorders?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Bupropion
C. Sertraline
D. Venlafaxine
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold and is specifically
contraindicated in patients with seizure disorders and those with bulimia or anorexia
nervosa.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS |GRADE A+| JUST
RELEASED CHAMBERLAIN COLLEGE
OF NURSING
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 is associated with reward and
pleasure; hyperactivity in this pathway is linked to the positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
,2. Blockade of dopamine in which pathway is associated with Extrapyramidal Symptoms
(EPS)?
A. Mesocortical pathway
B. Nigrostriatal pathway
C. Mesolimbic pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The nigrostriatal pathway controls motor function.
Antipsychotic-induced D2 blockade here leads to EPS and tardive dyskinesia.
3. Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in the mechanism of action of
benzodiazepines?
A. Glutamate
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Serotonin
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Benzodiazepines act as positive allosteric modulators of the
GABA-A receptor, enhancing the inhibitory effects of GABA.
, 4. A patient taking Clozapine must have regular blood monitoring for which potentially fatal
side effect?
A. Hepatic failure
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Renal toxicity
D. Thrombocytopenia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a risk of severe neutropenia (agranulocytosis),
requiring regular Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) monitoring.
5. Which antidepressant is contraindicated in patients with a history of seizure disorders or
eating disorders?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Bupropion
C. Sertraline
D. Venlafaxine
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold and is specifically
contraindicated in patients with seizure disorders and those with bulimia or anorexia
nervosa.
