(WGU D345) NURS 6438 Psychopharmacology Comprehensive Final OA Guide | Verified Questions & Correct Answers, Complete Study Resource for Top Grades

WGU NURS 6438 Psychopharmacology
Comprehensive Final OA Guide | Verified Questions &
Correct Answers, Complete Study Resource for Top
Grades
WGU NURS 6438 — Psychopharmacology Comprehensive Final OA Guide
400 Verified Questions | Complete Study Resource


Question 1: Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in the pathophysiology of
depression?


A. Acetylcholine
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Serotonin
E. Glutamate


CORRECT ANSWER: D. Serotonin


RATIONALE: Serotonin (5 HT) deficiency is the most widely accepted
neurotransmitter imbalance associated with depression. Most antidepressants,
particularly SSRIs, target serotonin reuptake to increase its availability in the synaptic
cleft, thereby improving mood and reducing depressive symptoms.




Question 2: Which neurotransmitter is primarily responsible for the "reward pathway"
in the brain?


A. Serotonin
B. Norepinephrine
C. Dopamine
D. GABA
E. Acetylcholine

, CORRECT ANSWER: C. Dopamine


RATIONALE: Dopamine is the key neurotransmitter involved in the mesolimbic
reward pathway. It mediates pleasure, motivation, and reinforcement. Dysregulation of
dopamine is central to addiction, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease.




Question 3: GABA is classified as which type of neurotransmitter?


A. Excitatory
B. Modulatory
C. Inhibitory
D. Stimulatory
E. Cholinergic


CORRECT ANSWER: C. Inhibitory


RATIONALE: GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) is the primary inhibitory
neurotransmitter in the CNS. It reduces neuronal excitability by opening chloride
channels, which hyperpolarizes the neuron. Benzodiazepines and barbiturates enhance
GABA activity to produce anxiolytic and sedative effects.




Question 4: Which receptor type is primarily targeted by benzodiazepines?


A. NMDA receptor
B. Dopamine D2 receptor
C. GABA A receptor
D. Serotonin 5 HT1A receptor

,E. Muscarinic receptor


CORRECT ANSWER: C. GABA A receptor


RATIONALE: Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA A receptor at a site distinct
from GABA itself, enhancing the effect of GABA by increasing the frequency of chloride
ion channel opening. This leads to CNS depression, producing anxiolytic, sedative,
hypnotic, and anticonvulsant effects.




Question 5: Which neurotransmitter system is most associated with the extrapyramidal
side effects of antipsychotics?


A. Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. Norepinephrine
D. GABA
E. Glutamate


CORRECT ANSWER: B. Dopamine


RATIONALE: Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) occur when dopamine D2
receptors in the nigrostriatal pathway are blocked by antipsychotic medications. This
pathway controls motor movement, and its blockade leads to Parkinsonian symptoms,
akathisia, dystonia, and tardive dyskinesia.




Question 6: Which term describes a drug that binds to a receptor and produces a
maximal biological response?

, A. Partial agonist
B. Antagonist
C. Inverse agonist
D. Full agonist
E. Allosteric modulator


CORRECT ANSWER: D. Full agonist


RATIONALE: A full agonist binds to a receptor and produces the maximum
possible response that receptor can generate. In contrast, a partial agonist produces a
submaximal response even when all receptors are occupied. Antagonists block receptor
activity without activating it.




Question 7: Which process describes the movement of a drug from the bloodstream
into body tissues?


A. Absorption
B. Metabolism
C. Distribution
D. Excretion
E. Bioavailability


CORRECT ANSWER: C. Distribution


RATIONALE: Distribution refers to the reversible transfer of a drug from the
bloodstream to body tissues. Factors affecting distribution include protein binding, lipid
solubility, blood flow, and the blood brain barrier. Highly lipid soluble psychotropic
drugs cross the blood brain barrier easily.