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NSG 552- PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY ACTUAL 2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS, ALREADY GRADED A+
Q1. Which neurotransmitter is most directly targeted by selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A. Dopamine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Serotonin
D. GABA
Correct Answer: C. Serotonin
Rationale: SSRIs work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin into presynaptic neurons,
thereby increasing its availability in the synaptic cleft. This enhances serotonergic
neurotransmission and improves mood, which is why SSRIs are commonly prescribed
for depression and anxiety disorders.
Q2. Which antidepressant carries the highest risk of hypertensive crisis when
combined with tyramine-rich foods?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Phenelzine
C. Bupropion
D. Sertraline
Correct Answer: B. Phenelzine
Rationale: Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). MAOIs prevent the
breakdown of tyramine, and when combined with high-tyramine foods, dangerous
hypertensive crises can occur due to excessive catecholamine release.
Q3. Which of the following is considered a first-generation antipsychotic?
A. Risperidone
B. Olanzapine
C. Haloperidol
D. Aripiprazole
Correct Answer: C. Haloperidol
Rationale: Haloperidol is a typical (first-generation) antipsychotic that primarily blocks
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dopamine D2 receptors. It is effective for positive symptoms of schizophrenia but is
associated with extrapyramidal side effects (EPS).
Q4. A patient taking lithium should have which laboratory value monitored most
closely?
A. White blood cell count
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum creatinine
D. Thyroid function
Correct Answer: D. Thyroid function
Rationale: Lithium can impair thyroid function and cause hypothyroidism. In addition
to monitoring renal function and serum lithium levels, thyroid function tests are
essential during long-term therapy.
Q5. Which benzodiazepine has the shortest half-life and is often used for acute
anxiety or panic attacks?
A. Diazepam
B. Lorazepam
C. Alprazolam
D. Clonazepam
Correct Answer: C. Alprazolam
Rationale: Alprazolam has a relatively short onset and duration of action, making it
useful for acute anxiety relief. However, it carries a higher risk of dependence and
withdrawal symptoms compared to longer-acting agents.
Q6. Which antidepressant is most associated with the risk of seizures at higher
doses?
A. Bupropion
B. Sertraline
C. Citalopram
D. Paroxetine
Correct Answer: A. Bupropion
Rationale: Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold, especially at doses above 450
mg/day or in patients with eating disorders. Despite this risk, it is useful for smoking
cessation and depression with low energy.
Q7. Which antipsychotic has the highest risk of agranulocytosis and requires routine
blood monitoring?
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A. Risperidone
B. Clozapine
C. Quetiapine
D. Ziprasidone
Correct Answer: B. Clozapine
Rationale: Clozapine is reserved for treatment-resistant schizophrenia due to its
superior efficacy. However, it can cause agranulocytosis, requiring regular white blood
cell and absolute neutrophil count monitoring.
Q8. Which class of drugs works by enhancing the inhibitory effects of GABA in the
central nervous system?
A. SSRIs
B. Benzodiazepines
C. Stimulants
D. MAOIs
Correct Answer: B. Benzodiazepines
Rationale: Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor complex, increasing the
frequency of chloride channel opening. This enhances inhibitory neurotransmission,
producing anxiolytic, sedative, and anticonvulsant effects.
Q9. Which side effect is most strongly associated with first-generation
antipsychotics?
A. Weight gain
B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Agranulocytosis
Correct Answer: B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
Rationale: Typical antipsychotics like haloperidol strongly block dopamine D2
receptors, leading to EPS such as dystonia, akathisia, and Parkinsonism. Atypical
antipsychotics are more associated with metabolic side effects.
Q10. Which mood stabilizer is also used as an anticonvulsant and is effective in
treating bipolar disorder?
A. Valproic acid
B. Amitriptyline
C. Fluoxetine
D. Buspirone
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Correct Answer: A. Valproic acid
Rationale: Valproic acid is both an anticonvulsant and a mood stabilizer. It is often used
in patients with bipolar disorder who cannot tolerate lithium or who need rapid mood
stabilization.
Q11. Which antidepressant is contraindicated in patients with a history of eating
disorders?
A. Bupropion
B. Escitalopram
C. Sertraline
D. Venlafaxine
Correct Answer: A. Bupropion
Rationale: Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold and carries additional risks in
patients with anorexia or bulimia. Therefore, it should be avoided in individuals with
eating disorders.
Q12. Which atypical antipsychotic is associated with the greatest risk of metabolic
syndrome?
A. Risperidone
B. Ziprasidone
C. Aripiprazole
D. Olanzapine
Correct Answer: D. Olanzapine
Rationale: Olanzapine is effective but has a high risk of weight gain, hyperlipidemia,
and insulin resistance. It requires careful metabolic monitoring during treatment.
Q13. Which neurotransmitter system is most associated with the pathophysiology of
schizophrenia?
A. GABA
B. Dopamine
C. Serotonin
D. Glutamate
Correct Answer: B. Dopamine
Rationale: The dopamine hypothesis suggests that hyperactivity in dopaminergic
pathways contributes to schizophrenia symptoms, particularly positive symptoms such
as hallucinations and delusions.
NSG 552- PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY ACTUAL 2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS, ALREADY GRADED A+
Q1. Which neurotransmitter is most directly targeted by selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A. Dopamine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Serotonin
D. GABA
Correct Answer: C. Serotonin
Rationale: SSRIs work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin into presynaptic neurons,
thereby increasing its availability in the synaptic cleft. This enhances serotonergic
neurotransmission and improves mood, which is why SSRIs are commonly prescribed
for depression and anxiety disorders.
Q2. Which antidepressant carries the highest risk of hypertensive crisis when
combined with tyramine-rich foods?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Phenelzine
C. Bupropion
D. Sertraline
Correct Answer: B. Phenelzine
Rationale: Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). MAOIs prevent the
breakdown of tyramine, and when combined with high-tyramine foods, dangerous
hypertensive crises can occur due to excessive catecholamine release.
Q3. Which of the following is considered a first-generation antipsychotic?
A. Risperidone
B. Olanzapine
C. Haloperidol
D. Aripiprazole
Correct Answer: C. Haloperidol
Rationale: Haloperidol is a typical (first-generation) antipsychotic that primarily blocks
,2|Page
dopamine D2 receptors. It is effective for positive symptoms of schizophrenia but is
associated with extrapyramidal side effects (EPS).
Q4. A patient taking lithium should have which laboratory value monitored most
closely?
A. White blood cell count
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum creatinine
D. Thyroid function
Correct Answer: D. Thyroid function
Rationale: Lithium can impair thyroid function and cause hypothyroidism. In addition
to monitoring renal function and serum lithium levels, thyroid function tests are
essential during long-term therapy.
Q5. Which benzodiazepine has the shortest half-life and is often used for acute
anxiety or panic attacks?
A. Diazepam
B. Lorazepam
C. Alprazolam
D. Clonazepam
Correct Answer: C. Alprazolam
Rationale: Alprazolam has a relatively short onset and duration of action, making it
useful for acute anxiety relief. However, it carries a higher risk of dependence and
withdrawal symptoms compared to longer-acting agents.
Q6. Which antidepressant is most associated with the risk of seizures at higher
doses?
A. Bupropion
B. Sertraline
C. Citalopram
D. Paroxetine
Correct Answer: A. Bupropion
Rationale: Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold, especially at doses above 450
mg/day or in patients with eating disorders. Despite this risk, it is useful for smoking
cessation and depression with low energy.
Q7. Which antipsychotic has the highest risk of agranulocytosis and requires routine
blood monitoring?
,3|Page
A. Risperidone
B. Clozapine
C. Quetiapine
D. Ziprasidone
Correct Answer: B. Clozapine
Rationale: Clozapine is reserved for treatment-resistant schizophrenia due to its
superior efficacy. However, it can cause agranulocytosis, requiring regular white blood
cell and absolute neutrophil count monitoring.
Q8. Which class of drugs works by enhancing the inhibitory effects of GABA in the
central nervous system?
A. SSRIs
B. Benzodiazepines
C. Stimulants
D. MAOIs
Correct Answer: B. Benzodiazepines
Rationale: Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor complex, increasing the
frequency of chloride channel opening. This enhances inhibitory neurotransmission,
producing anxiolytic, sedative, and anticonvulsant effects.
Q9. Which side effect is most strongly associated with first-generation
antipsychotics?
A. Weight gain
B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Agranulocytosis
Correct Answer: B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
Rationale: Typical antipsychotics like haloperidol strongly block dopamine D2
receptors, leading to EPS such as dystonia, akathisia, and Parkinsonism. Atypical
antipsychotics are more associated with metabolic side effects.
Q10. Which mood stabilizer is also used as an anticonvulsant and is effective in
treating bipolar disorder?
A. Valproic acid
B. Amitriptyline
C. Fluoxetine
D. Buspirone
, 4|Page
Correct Answer: A. Valproic acid
Rationale: Valproic acid is both an anticonvulsant and a mood stabilizer. It is often used
in patients with bipolar disorder who cannot tolerate lithium or who need rapid mood
stabilization.
Q11. Which antidepressant is contraindicated in patients with a history of eating
disorders?
A. Bupropion
B. Escitalopram
C. Sertraline
D. Venlafaxine
Correct Answer: A. Bupropion
Rationale: Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold and carries additional risks in
patients with anorexia or bulimia. Therefore, it should be avoided in individuals with
eating disorders.
Q12. Which atypical antipsychotic is associated with the greatest risk of metabolic
syndrome?
A. Risperidone
B. Ziprasidone
C. Aripiprazole
D. Olanzapine
Correct Answer: D. Olanzapine
Rationale: Olanzapine is effective but has a high risk of weight gain, hyperlipidemia,
and insulin resistance. It requires careful metabolic monitoring during treatment.
Q13. Which neurotransmitter system is most associated with the pathophysiology of
schizophrenia?
A. GABA
B. Dopamine
C. Serotonin
D. Glutamate
Correct Answer: B. Dopamine
Rationale: The dopamine hypothesis suggests that hyperactivity in dopaminergic
pathways contributes to schizophrenia symptoms, particularly positive symptoms such
as hallucinations and delusions.
