PMHNP Psychopharmacology – Condensed Exam Guide
with Q&A Format – Nurse Practitioner Board Prep
This document is a concise exam preparation guide for PMHNP students, organized
in a question-and-answer format. It covers major psychotropic medication classes
including SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs, antipsychotics (typical and atypical), mood
stabilizers, benzodiazepines, and stimulants. Key topics include mechanisms of
action, side effects, clinical indications, and pharmacologic comparisons, making it
ideal for board prep or exam revision.
1. what does norepinephrine control in the body?: mood, attention,
concentration, working memory, speed of information
2. too much norepinephrine can cause _________.: anxiety
3. what does serotonin control in the body?: brain and gut; mood, sleep,
appetite, temperature regulation, pain perception, BP, vomiting
4. what does dopamine control in the body?:: memory, motor skills, behavior,
learning, sleep, mood, focus, attention, immune health, motivation and reward
system
5. what does too much dopamine cause?: psychotic symptoms
6. what does GABA control in the body?: mood modulatory, restlessness
7. what does glutamate control in the body?: CNS; cognition, learning,
memory*(opposite of GABA)*
8. what does acetylcholine control in the body?: muscle contraction,
heartbeat, hormone stimulator; sleep, attention, memory
9. ADHD meds target which neurotransmitter?: dopamine
, 10. which medication groups causes anticholinergic effects?:
neurotransmitter responsible is acetylcholine TCAs, Benztropine,
Diphenhydramine
11. which medication group causes weight gain and diabetes?: atypical
antipsychotics
12. which medication groups cause extrapyramidal side effects (dystonia,
akathisia, tar dive dyskinesia, NMS)?: typical antipsychotics (more
commonly than); atypical antipsychotics
13. which medication causes agranulocytosis and which classification
group does it belong to?: Clozapine atypical antipsychotic
14. which medication group causes serotonin syndrome?: SSRIs
15. which medication groups cause orthostatic hypotension?:
antidepressants, MAOIs, TCAs
16. what are the typical antipsychotic medications?: Chlorpromazine
Haloperidol
17. what is the mechanism of action for typical antipsychotics?: antagonizes
(blocks) dopamine (D2) receptors
18. what side effects are associated with typical antipsychotics?:
extrapyramidal side effects, NMS
19. typical antipsychotics decrease _____________ (+, -, or both) symptoms:
positive
20. is there a risk for death associated with typical antipsychotics?: yes; risk
for death in geriatric patients with dementia
21. what are the atypical antipsychotic medications?: Clozapine Olanzapine
Risperidone
Aripiprazole
with Q&A Format – Nurse Practitioner Board Prep
This document is a concise exam preparation guide for PMHNP students, organized
in a question-and-answer format. It covers major psychotropic medication classes
including SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs, antipsychotics (typical and atypical), mood
stabilizers, benzodiazepines, and stimulants. Key topics include mechanisms of
action, side effects, clinical indications, and pharmacologic comparisons, making it
ideal for board prep or exam revision.
1. what does norepinephrine control in the body?: mood, attention,
concentration, working memory, speed of information
2. too much norepinephrine can cause _________.: anxiety
3. what does serotonin control in the body?: brain and gut; mood, sleep,
appetite, temperature regulation, pain perception, BP, vomiting
4. what does dopamine control in the body?:: memory, motor skills, behavior,
learning, sleep, mood, focus, attention, immune health, motivation and reward
system
5. what does too much dopamine cause?: psychotic symptoms
6. what does GABA control in the body?: mood modulatory, restlessness
7. what does glutamate control in the body?: CNS; cognition, learning,
memory*(opposite of GABA)*
8. what does acetylcholine control in the body?: muscle contraction,
heartbeat, hormone stimulator; sleep, attention, memory
9. ADHD meds target which neurotransmitter?: dopamine
, 10. which medication groups causes anticholinergic effects?:
neurotransmitter responsible is acetylcholine TCAs, Benztropine,
Diphenhydramine
11. which medication group causes weight gain and diabetes?: atypical
antipsychotics
12. which medication groups cause extrapyramidal side effects (dystonia,
akathisia, tar dive dyskinesia, NMS)?: typical antipsychotics (more
commonly than); atypical antipsychotics
13. which medication causes agranulocytosis and which classification
group does it belong to?: Clozapine atypical antipsychotic
14. which medication group causes serotonin syndrome?: SSRIs
15. which medication groups cause orthostatic hypotension?:
antidepressants, MAOIs, TCAs
16. what are the typical antipsychotic medications?: Chlorpromazine
Haloperidol
17. what is the mechanism of action for typical antipsychotics?: antagonizes
(blocks) dopamine (D2) receptors
18. what side effects are associated with typical antipsychotics?:
extrapyramidal side effects, NMS
19. typical antipsychotics decrease _____________ (+, -, or both) symptoms:
positive
20. is there a risk for death associated with typical antipsychotics?: yes; risk
for death in geriatric patients with dementia
21. what are the atypical antipsychotic medications?: Clozapine Olanzapine
Risperidone
Aripiprazole
