NR546 – Advanced Pharmacology: Psychopharmacology for Psychiatric-Mental Health
Nurse Practitioner
Exam Study Guide – Midterm Exam
Exam Format: Non-Cumulative exam
Question Type: Multiple Choice
Number of Questions: 75
Number of Points: 150 points
Time Allotted: 90 Minutes
Testing Timeframe: The final exam will be available starting on Wednesday of Week 4 at
12:01 am MT until Saturday of Week 4 at 11:59 pm MT.
Exam Coverage
Week 1:
Content Areas:
1. Introduction to Psychopharmacology
2. Unique Prescribing Considerations
3. Symptom-Based Selection of Medications
4. Medication Adherence
5. Ethical/Legal Considerations
6. Neuroscientific Basis for Behavior
o Informed consent- Clients have the right to receive enough information to make
decisions about treatment. They must also be informed about potential risks
associated with medications. Clients have the right to refuse treatment and cannot
be forcibly medicated in non-emergencies. However, clients can be forcibly
medicated if they are violent toward themselves or others and when less
restrictive methods have failed.
o Compliance- A court order may be issued for a client to receive treatment against
their wishes if they are considered a danger to themselves or others. Examples
include clients with schizophrenia or sex offenders. Guardians can also provide
consent for clients who have limited cognitive capabilities or are incompetent to
, make decisions. Ultimately, PMHNPs are responsible for being knowledgeable
about their state laws and abiding by them.
o Off-label prescribing- Some clients may benefit from the unapproved use of a
drug for symptom management. For example, many selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs) are used to treat anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder but
are not Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved for use in this disorder. Off-
label prescribing potentially raises ethical and legal concerns; the PMHNP must
remain up to date with the latest recommendations for off-label prescribing.
7. Genetics and Epigenetics:
Genetics refers to the DNA inherited from a person’s parents. DNA contains genes that
provide instructions for how the body develops and functions. These genes influence
physical traits, disease risk, and how the body metabolizes medications. Genetic
differences between people can affect how likely someone is to develop certain
conditions and how they respond to treatments or drug doses.
Epigenetics refers to changes in how genes are turned on or off without altering the DNA
itself. Environmental and lifestyle factors such as stress, diet, toxins, trauma, and
conditions during pregnancy can influence gene expression. One common mechanism
involves chemical markers attaching to DNA, which can increase or decrease gene
activity.
Key Concepts to Study:
• Functional Neuroanatomy: covered in both the course Explore section and readings
o Brain anatomy and physiology.
o Link symptoms to affected brain areas (e.g., inability to copy a word or drawing
→ what part of the brain is affected).
Grey Matter: Consists of the cerebellum, cerebrum, brain stem, and butterfly shaped portion of
the spinal cord.
Contains neural cell bodies, axons, dendrites, and all nerve synapses
Working areas of the brain linked to learning.
Changes are linked to psychiatric diagnosis (schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s and MDD).
White Matter: Contains nerve fibers that connect neurons from different regions into functional
circuits “transit system.”
Breaks in these circuits affect behavior.
Damage to the myelin (coating on neuronal axons) impact sensory function, motor function, and
cognition.
Abnormalities associated with Autism and vascular dementia.
Part of Body
Function
Nurse Practitioner
Exam Study Guide – Midterm Exam
Exam Format: Non-Cumulative exam
Question Type: Multiple Choice
Number of Questions: 75
Number of Points: 150 points
Time Allotted: 90 Minutes
Testing Timeframe: The final exam will be available starting on Wednesday of Week 4 at
12:01 am MT until Saturday of Week 4 at 11:59 pm MT.
Exam Coverage
Week 1:
Content Areas:
1. Introduction to Psychopharmacology
2. Unique Prescribing Considerations
3. Symptom-Based Selection of Medications
4. Medication Adherence
5. Ethical/Legal Considerations
6. Neuroscientific Basis for Behavior
o Informed consent- Clients have the right to receive enough information to make
decisions about treatment. They must also be informed about potential risks
associated with medications. Clients have the right to refuse treatment and cannot
be forcibly medicated in non-emergencies. However, clients can be forcibly
medicated if they are violent toward themselves or others and when less
restrictive methods have failed.
o Compliance- A court order may be issued for a client to receive treatment against
their wishes if they are considered a danger to themselves or others. Examples
include clients with schizophrenia or sex offenders. Guardians can also provide
consent for clients who have limited cognitive capabilities or are incompetent to
, make decisions. Ultimately, PMHNPs are responsible for being knowledgeable
about their state laws and abiding by them.
o Off-label prescribing- Some clients may benefit from the unapproved use of a
drug for symptom management. For example, many selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs) are used to treat anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder but
are not Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved for use in this disorder. Off-
label prescribing potentially raises ethical and legal concerns; the PMHNP must
remain up to date with the latest recommendations for off-label prescribing.
7. Genetics and Epigenetics:
Genetics refers to the DNA inherited from a person’s parents. DNA contains genes that
provide instructions for how the body develops and functions. These genes influence
physical traits, disease risk, and how the body metabolizes medications. Genetic
differences between people can affect how likely someone is to develop certain
conditions and how they respond to treatments or drug doses.
Epigenetics refers to changes in how genes are turned on or off without altering the DNA
itself. Environmental and lifestyle factors such as stress, diet, toxins, trauma, and
conditions during pregnancy can influence gene expression. One common mechanism
involves chemical markers attaching to DNA, which can increase or decrease gene
activity.
Key Concepts to Study:
• Functional Neuroanatomy: covered in both the course Explore section and readings
o Brain anatomy and physiology.
o Link symptoms to affected brain areas (e.g., inability to copy a word or drawing
→ what part of the brain is affected).
Grey Matter: Consists of the cerebellum, cerebrum, brain stem, and butterfly shaped portion of
the spinal cord.
Contains neural cell bodies, axons, dendrites, and all nerve synapses
Working areas of the brain linked to learning.
Changes are linked to psychiatric diagnosis (schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s and MDD).
White Matter: Contains nerve fibers that connect neurons from different regions into functional
circuits “transit system.”
Breaks in these circuits affect behavior.
Damage to the myelin (coating on neuronal axons) impact sensory function, motor function, and
cognition.
Abnormalities associated with Autism and vascular dementia.
Part of Body
Function
