TB Stahls-Essential-
Psychopharmacology
Chapter 1: Neurotransmission and Pharmacodynamics
Which of the following neurotransmitters is primarily involved in mood regulation
and is targeted by many antidepressants?
a) Dopamine
b) Serotonin
c) Glutamate
d) Acetylcholine
Answer: b) Serotonin
,What is the primary mechanism of action for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs)?
a) Increasing dopamine release
b) Blocking serotonin reuptake
c) Inhibiting NMDA receptors
d) Enhancing GABAergic activity
Answer: b) Blocking serotonin reuptake
Chapter 2: Antidepressants
Which of the following is a common side effect of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)?
a) Hypertension
b) Dry mouth
c) Increased libido
d) Weight loss
Answer: b) Dry mouth
Which class of antidepressants is most associated with the risk of serotonin
syndrome?
a) MAOIs
b) TCAs
c) SSRIs
d) Atypical antidepressants
Answer: a) MAOIs
Chapter 3: Antipsychotics
Atypical antipsychotics differ from typical antipsychotics in that they:
a) Block dopamine D2 receptors exclusively
b) Have lower risks of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
c) Only treat positive symptoms of schizophrenia
d) Are more likely to cause tardive dyskinesia
Answer: b) Have lower risks of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
,Clozapine is reserved for treatment-resistant schizophrenia due to its risk of:
a) Weight loss
b) Agranulocytosis
c) Serotonin syndrome
d) Increased dopamine release
Answer: b) Agranulocytosis
Chapter 4: Mood Stabilizers
Which of the following mood stabilizers requires regular blood level monitoring due
to toxicity risk?
a) Valproate
b) Lamotrigine
c) Lithium
d) Carbamazepine
Answer: c) Lithium
Lamotrigine is primarily effective in treating:
a) Bipolar mania
b) Bipolar depression
c) Psychotic symptoms
d) Panic disorder
Answer: b) Bipolar depression
Chapter 5: Anxiolytics and Sedative-Hypnotics
Which of the following is a primary mechanism of benzodiazepines?
a) Serotonin reuptake inhibition
b) GABA-A receptor potentiation
c) Dopamine blockade
d) NMDA receptor antagonism
Answer: b) GABA-A receptor potentiation
Which anxiolytic has a delayed onset and lacks sedative properties?
, a) Diazepam
b) Buspirone
c) Lorazepam
d) Alprazolam
Answer: b) BuspironeWhich neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by medications
used to treat Parkinson’s disease?
a) Serotonin
b) Dopamine
c) Norepinephrine
d) Acetylcholine
Answer: b) Dopamine
Which of the following is a major side effect of second-generation antipsychotics?
a) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
b) Increased risk of metabolic syndrome
c) Severe extrapyramidal symptoms
d) Serotonin syndrome
Answer: b) Increased risk of metabolic syndrome
A patient taking an MAOI should avoid foods high in:
a) Tyramine
b) Tryptophan
c) Glutamate
d) Dopamine
Answer: a) Tyramine
The primary mechanism of action of stimulants like methylphenidate is:
a) Blocking norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake
b) Increasing serotonin release
c) Inhibiting NMDA receptors
d) Enhancing GABAergic activity
Answer: a) Blocking norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake
Psychopharmacology
Chapter 1: Neurotransmission and Pharmacodynamics
Which of the following neurotransmitters is primarily involved in mood regulation
and is targeted by many antidepressants?
a) Dopamine
b) Serotonin
c) Glutamate
d) Acetylcholine
Answer: b) Serotonin
,What is the primary mechanism of action for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs)?
a) Increasing dopamine release
b) Blocking serotonin reuptake
c) Inhibiting NMDA receptors
d) Enhancing GABAergic activity
Answer: b) Blocking serotonin reuptake
Chapter 2: Antidepressants
Which of the following is a common side effect of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)?
a) Hypertension
b) Dry mouth
c) Increased libido
d) Weight loss
Answer: b) Dry mouth
Which class of antidepressants is most associated with the risk of serotonin
syndrome?
a) MAOIs
b) TCAs
c) SSRIs
d) Atypical antidepressants
Answer: a) MAOIs
Chapter 3: Antipsychotics
Atypical antipsychotics differ from typical antipsychotics in that they:
a) Block dopamine D2 receptors exclusively
b) Have lower risks of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
c) Only treat positive symptoms of schizophrenia
d) Are more likely to cause tardive dyskinesia
Answer: b) Have lower risks of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
,Clozapine is reserved for treatment-resistant schizophrenia due to its risk of:
a) Weight loss
b) Agranulocytosis
c) Serotonin syndrome
d) Increased dopamine release
Answer: b) Agranulocytosis
Chapter 4: Mood Stabilizers
Which of the following mood stabilizers requires regular blood level monitoring due
to toxicity risk?
a) Valproate
b) Lamotrigine
c) Lithium
d) Carbamazepine
Answer: c) Lithium
Lamotrigine is primarily effective in treating:
a) Bipolar mania
b) Bipolar depression
c) Psychotic symptoms
d) Panic disorder
Answer: b) Bipolar depression
Chapter 5: Anxiolytics and Sedative-Hypnotics
Which of the following is a primary mechanism of benzodiazepines?
a) Serotonin reuptake inhibition
b) GABA-A receptor potentiation
c) Dopamine blockade
d) NMDA receptor antagonism
Answer: b) GABA-A receptor potentiation
Which anxiolytic has a delayed onset and lacks sedative properties?
, a) Diazepam
b) Buspirone
c) Lorazepam
d) Alprazolam
Answer: b) BuspironeWhich neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by medications
used to treat Parkinson’s disease?
a) Serotonin
b) Dopamine
c) Norepinephrine
d) Acetylcholine
Answer: b) Dopamine
Which of the following is a major side effect of second-generation antipsychotics?
a) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
b) Increased risk of metabolic syndrome
c) Severe extrapyramidal symptoms
d) Serotonin syndrome
Answer: b) Increased risk of metabolic syndrome
A patient taking an MAOI should avoid foods high in:
a) Tyramine
b) Tryptophan
c) Glutamate
d) Dopamine
Answer: a) Tyramine
The primary mechanism of action of stimulants like methylphenidate is:
a) Blocking norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake
b) Increasing serotonin release
c) Inhibiting NMDA receptors
d) Enhancing GABAergic activity
Answer: a) Blocking norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake