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WILKES UNIVERSITY
NSG 552
EXAM 3
CERTIFICATION / COURSE EXAM
2026/2027
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
PLUS DETAILED RATIONALES
# ✓ i ■
91 CORRECT DETAILED LATEST
PRACTICE ANSWERS RATIONALES 2026/2027
QUESTIONS CONTENT
NURSING
,Wilkes University NSG 552 Exam 3 (pdf) |
2026/2027 | Psychopharmacology Q&A | Nursing
What is the mechanism of action of Naloxone?
A. Pure opioid antagonist that competes and displaces opioids at receptor sites
B. Partial opioid agonist at mu receptors
C. NMDA receptor antagonist
D. GABA-A receptor agonist
Correct Answer: A. Pure opioid antagonist that competes and displaces opioids at
receptor sites
Expert Rationale: Naloxone is a pure opioid antagonist with high affinity for mu, kappa,
and delta opioid receptors. It rapidly reverses opioid effects (respiratory depression,
sedation) by displacing opioids from receptor sites. It has no agonist activity and a short
half-life, often requiring repeat dosing or infusion. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist;
memantine and acamprosate are NMDA antagonists; benzodiazepines act on GABA-A.
What medications treat opioid disorder?
A. Methadone; Buprenorphine; Buprenorphine + Naloxone
B. Naloxone only
C. Disulfiram and acamprosate
D. Varenicline and bupropion
Correct Answer: A. Methadone; Buprenorphine; Buprenorphine + Naloxone
Expert Rationale: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is treated with methadone (full mu agonist,
clinic-dispensed), buprenorphine (partial mu agonist), or buprenorphine + naloxone
(Suboxone — naloxone deters injection misuse). Naltrexone is also used for OUD.
Disulfiram/acamprosate treat alcohol use disorder; varenicline/bupropion treat smoking
cessation.
,What medication for opioid use disorder is used with comorbid pain?
A. Buprenorphine + Naloxone
B. Methadone only
C. Naltrexone only
D. Disulfiram
Correct Answer: A. Buprenorphine + Naloxone
Expert Rationale: Buprenorphine (with or without naloxone) is effective for OUD with
comorbid pain because buprenorphine provides analgesia via mu receptor partial
agonism. Methadone also provides analgesia but has more cardiac (QT) and sedation
risks. Naltrexone blocks opioids and is not analgesic. Disulfiram is for alcohol use disorder.
Inappropriate use of what substance may be due to uncontrolled pain?
A. Opioids
B. Benzodiazepines
C. Stimulants
D. Alcohol
Correct Answer: A. Opioids
Expert Rationale: Uncontrolled pain is a common reason for inappropriate opioid use,
including escalation, seeking multiple providers, or non-prescribed use. Adequate pain
management is essential in treating patients with OUD and pain. Benzodiazepines,
stimulants, and alcohol are not primarily used for pain.
What are the Naltrexone delivery methods?
A. Tablet; Injectable; Implant
B. Tablet only
C. Inhalation only
D. Intravenous only
Correct Answer: A. Tablet; Injectable; Implant
, Expert Rationale: Naltrexone is available as an oral tablet (daily), a long-acting
injectable (Vivitrol, monthly), and an implant (limited to inpatient use, provides 3–6
months of coverage). It is an opioid antagonist used for OUD and alcohol use disorder.
What is one form of Naltrexone delivery method limited to inpatient use?
A. Implant
B. Tablet
C. Injectable
D. Nasal spray
Correct Answer: A. Implant
Expert Rationale: The naltrexone implant is limited to inpatient use due to the need for a
minor surgical procedure for placement and removal, and monitoring requirements.
Tablets and injectables can be used in outpatient settings. Nasal spray is a form of
naloxone, not naltrexone.
What is the mechanism of action of buprenorphine?
A. Mu receptor partial agonist for opioid withdrawal
B. Pure opioid antagonist
C. NMDA receptor antagonist
D. GABA-A agonist
Correct Answer: A. Mu receptor partial agonist for opioid withdrawal
Expert Rationale: Buprenorphine is a partial agonist at mu opioid receptors with high
affinity but low intrinsic activity. This produces a ceiling effect on respiratory depression,
making it safer than full agonists. It relieves withdrawal symptoms and cravings. It is not a
pure antagonist (naloxone/naltrexone) or NMDA/GABA agent.
WILKES UNIVERSITY
NSG 552
EXAM 3
CERTIFICATION / COURSE EXAM
2026/2027
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
PLUS DETAILED RATIONALES
# ✓ i ■
91 CORRECT DETAILED LATEST
PRACTICE ANSWERS RATIONALES 2026/2027
QUESTIONS CONTENT
NURSING
,Wilkes University NSG 552 Exam 3 (pdf) |
2026/2027 | Psychopharmacology Q&A | Nursing
What is the mechanism of action of Naloxone?
A. Pure opioid antagonist that competes and displaces opioids at receptor sites
B. Partial opioid agonist at mu receptors
C. NMDA receptor antagonist
D. GABA-A receptor agonist
Correct Answer: A. Pure opioid antagonist that competes and displaces opioids at
receptor sites
Expert Rationale: Naloxone is a pure opioid antagonist with high affinity for mu, kappa,
and delta opioid receptors. It rapidly reverses opioid effects (respiratory depression,
sedation) by displacing opioids from receptor sites. It has no agonist activity and a short
half-life, often requiring repeat dosing or infusion. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist;
memantine and acamprosate are NMDA antagonists; benzodiazepines act on GABA-A.
What medications treat opioid disorder?
A. Methadone; Buprenorphine; Buprenorphine + Naloxone
B. Naloxone only
C. Disulfiram and acamprosate
D. Varenicline and bupropion
Correct Answer: A. Methadone; Buprenorphine; Buprenorphine + Naloxone
Expert Rationale: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is treated with methadone (full mu agonist,
clinic-dispensed), buprenorphine (partial mu agonist), or buprenorphine + naloxone
(Suboxone — naloxone deters injection misuse). Naltrexone is also used for OUD.
Disulfiram/acamprosate treat alcohol use disorder; varenicline/bupropion treat smoking
cessation.
,What medication for opioid use disorder is used with comorbid pain?
A. Buprenorphine + Naloxone
B. Methadone only
C. Naltrexone only
D. Disulfiram
Correct Answer: A. Buprenorphine + Naloxone
Expert Rationale: Buprenorphine (with or without naloxone) is effective for OUD with
comorbid pain because buprenorphine provides analgesia via mu receptor partial
agonism. Methadone also provides analgesia but has more cardiac (QT) and sedation
risks. Naltrexone blocks opioids and is not analgesic. Disulfiram is for alcohol use disorder.
Inappropriate use of what substance may be due to uncontrolled pain?
A. Opioids
B. Benzodiazepines
C. Stimulants
D. Alcohol
Correct Answer: A. Opioids
Expert Rationale: Uncontrolled pain is a common reason for inappropriate opioid use,
including escalation, seeking multiple providers, or non-prescribed use. Adequate pain
management is essential in treating patients with OUD and pain. Benzodiazepines,
stimulants, and alcohol are not primarily used for pain.
What are the Naltrexone delivery methods?
A. Tablet; Injectable; Implant
B. Tablet only
C. Inhalation only
D. Intravenous only
Correct Answer: A. Tablet; Injectable; Implant
, Expert Rationale: Naltrexone is available as an oral tablet (daily), a long-acting
injectable (Vivitrol, monthly), and an implant (limited to inpatient use, provides 3–6
months of coverage). It is an opioid antagonist used for OUD and alcohol use disorder.
What is one form of Naltrexone delivery method limited to inpatient use?
A. Implant
B. Tablet
C. Injectable
D. Nasal spray
Correct Answer: A. Implant
Expert Rationale: The naltrexone implant is limited to inpatient use due to the need for a
minor surgical procedure for placement and removal, and monitoring requirements.
Tablets and injectables can be used in outpatient settings. Nasal spray is a form of
naloxone, not naltrexone.
What is the mechanism of action of buprenorphine?
A. Mu receptor partial agonist for opioid withdrawal
B. Pure opioid antagonist
C. NMDA receptor antagonist
D. GABA-A agonist
Correct Answer: A. Mu receptor partial agonist for opioid withdrawal
Expert Rationale: Buprenorphine is a partial agonist at mu opioid receptors with high
affinity but low intrinsic activity. This produces a ceiling effect on respiratory depression,
making it safer than full agonists. It relieves withdrawal symptoms and cravings. It is not a
pure antagonist (naloxone/naltrexone) or NMDA/GABA agent.
