NIGHTINGALE SCHOOL OF NURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES
Graduate Program | Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
NSG 552 — Psychopharmacology
Modules 1-3 | Exam 1 Study Guide | Academic Year 2026/2027 Comprehensive Question Bank + Core Concepts
Question 1
Common electrolyte imbalance associated with psychotropic medications (especially
SSRIs) is:
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Hyponatremia
RATIONALE: SSRIs, SNRIs cause SIADH → hyponatremia, especially in elderly.
Question 2
A CYP450 inducer does which of the following?
A. Increases rate of hepatic metabolism, decreasing serum levels of other drugs
B. Decreases metabolism, increasing toxicity
C. No effect on drug levels
D. Only affects induction of its own metabolism
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Increases rate of hepatic metabolism, decreasing serum levels of other
drugs
RATIONALE: Inducer speeds up metabolism, decreasing serum concentrations of co-administered
drugs that are substrates.
, Question 3
The main inhibitory neurotransmitter that induces calmness and relaxation is:
A. Glutamate
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Norepinephrine
CORRECT ANSWER: C. GABA
RATIONALE: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is primary inhibitory; benzodiazepines enhance
GABA-A.
Question 4
What is the study of how the body acts on the drug?
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacokinetics
C. Psychopharmacology
D. Pharmacogenomics
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Pharmacokinetics
RATIONALE: Pharmacokinetics describes what the body does to the drug: absorption, distribution,
metabolism, excretion.
, Question 5
FDA-approved medications for tardive dyskinesia include:
A. Clozapine and olanzapine
B. Ingrezza (valbenazine) and Austedo (deutetrabenazine)
C. Benztropine and trihexyphenidyl
D. Propranolol and lorazepam
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ingrezza (valbenazine) and Austedo (deutetrabenazine)
RATIONALE: VMAT2 inhibitors valbenazine and deutetrabenazine are FDA-approved for TD.
Question 6
Grapefruit juice is a known:
A. CYP450 inducer
B. CYP450 inhibitor
C. No effect on CYP450
D. Only affects intestinal absorption
CORRECT ANSWER: B. CYP450 inhibitor
RATIONALE: Grapefruit juice inhibits CYP3A4, increasing serum levels of medications metabolized
by this enzyme.
, Question 7
The screening tool for tardive dyskinesia performed before antipsychotic initiation and
every 3-6 months is:
A. PANSS
B. AIMS scale
C. HAM-D
D. YBOCS
CORRECT ANSWER: B. AIMS scale
RATIONALE: Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) monitors for TD.
Question 8
First-line treatment for acute dystonia is:
A. Propranolol
B. Cogentin (benztropine) or Benadryl
C. Clozapine
D. Lithium
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Cogentin (benztropine) or Benadryl
RATIONALE: Anticholinergics (benztropine) or diphenhydramine rapidly reverse acute dystonia.
Graduate Program | Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
NSG 552 — Psychopharmacology
Modules 1-3 | Exam 1 Study Guide | Academic Year 2026/2027 Comprehensive Question Bank + Core Concepts
Question 1
Common electrolyte imbalance associated with psychotropic medications (especially
SSRIs) is:
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Hyponatremia
RATIONALE: SSRIs, SNRIs cause SIADH → hyponatremia, especially in elderly.
Question 2
A CYP450 inducer does which of the following?
A. Increases rate of hepatic metabolism, decreasing serum levels of other drugs
B. Decreases metabolism, increasing toxicity
C. No effect on drug levels
D. Only affects induction of its own metabolism
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Increases rate of hepatic metabolism, decreasing serum levels of other
drugs
RATIONALE: Inducer speeds up metabolism, decreasing serum concentrations of co-administered
drugs that are substrates.
, Question 3
The main inhibitory neurotransmitter that induces calmness and relaxation is:
A. Glutamate
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Norepinephrine
CORRECT ANSWER: C. GABA
RATIONALE: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is primary inhibitory; benzodiazepines enhance
GABA-A.
Question 4
What is the study of how the body acts on the drug?
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacokinetics
C. Psychopharmacology
D. Pharmacogenomics
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Pharmacokinetics
RATIONALE: Pharmacokinetics describes what the body does to the drug: absorption, distribution,
metabolism, excretion.
, Question 5
FDA-approved medications for tardive dyskinesia include:
A. Clozapine and olanzapine
B. Ingrezza (valbenazine) and Austedo (deutetrabenazine)
C. Benztropine and trihexyphenidyl
D. Propranolol and lorazepam
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ingrezza (valbenazine) and Austedo (deutetrabenazine)
RATIONALE: VMAT2 inhibitors valbenazine and deutetrabenazine are FDA-approved for TD.
Question 6
Grapefruit juice is a known:
A. CYP450 inducer
B. CYP450 inhibitor
C. No effect on CYP450
D. Only affects intestinal absorption
CORRECT ANSWER: B. CYP450 inhibitor
RATIONALE: Grapefruit juice inhibits CYP3A4, increasing serum levels of medications metabolized
by this enzyme.
, Question 7
The screening tool for tardive dyskinesia performed before antipsychotic initiation and
every 3-6 months is:
A. PANSS
B. AIMS scale
C. HAM-D
D. YBOCS
CORRECT ANSWER: B. AIMS scale
RATIONALE: Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) monitors for TD.
Question 8
First-line treatment for acute dystonia is:
A. Propranolol
B. Cogentin (benztropine) or Benadryl
C. Clozapine
D. Lithium
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Cogentin (benztropine) or Benadryl
RATIONALE: Anticholinergics (benztropine) or diphenhydramine rapidly reverse acute dystonia.
