NSG 552 Exam 1: Psychopharmacology Study Guide |Wilkes
University
1. Which cytochrome P450 enzyme is responsible for the metabolism of
approximately 50% of all clinically used drugs?
A. CYP2D6
B. CYP3A4
C. CYP1A2
D. CYP2C19
Answer: B
Rationale: CYP3A4 is the most abundant CYP enzyme in the liver and is involved in the
metabolism of about 50% of marketed drugs.
2. A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a response that is less than that
of a full agonist is known as a:
A. Inverse agonist
B. Partial agonist
C. Antagonist
D. Allosteric modulator
Answer: B
Rationale: Partial agonists bind to receptors but only have partial efficacy compared to a
full agonist, even at maximal occupancy.
,3. Hyperprolactinemia associated with antipsychotic use is caused by dopamine
blockade in which pathway?
A. Tuberoinfundibular
B. Nigrostriatal
C. Mesocortical
D. Mesolimbic
Answer: A
Rationale: The tuberoinfundibular pathway regulates prolactin secretion; dopamine
inhibition here leads to increased prolactin levels.
4. Which neurotransmitter is primarily synthesized in the Locus Coeruleus?
A. Serotonin
B. Norepinephrine
C. Dopamine
D. GABA
Answer: B
Rationale: The Locus Coeruleus is the primary site in the brainstem for norepinephrine
production.
5. What is the primary mechanism of action for Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A. Increasing serotonin synthesis
B. Blocking 5-HT2A receptors
C. Inhibiting the SERT transporter
D. Activating MAO enzymes
Answer: C
Rationale: SSRIs work by inhibiting the serotonin transporter (SERT), which increases the
concentration of serotonin in the synaptic cleft.
, 6. Which of the following is a hallmark symptom of Serotonin Syndrome?
A. Lead-pipe muscle rigidity
B. Hypothermia
C. Hyperreflexia and myoclonus
D. Bradycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: Serotonin Syndrome is characterized by neuromuscular excitability such as
hyperreflexia, tremors, and myoclonus.
7. Which mood stabilizer is most closely associated with a risk of Stevens-
Johnson Syndrome (SJS)?
A. Lithium
B. Valproate
C. Lamotrigine
D. Gabapentin
Answer: C
Rationale: Lamotrigine carries a black box warning for severe, life-threatening rashes
including SJS, requiring a slow titration.
8. Which neurotransmitter is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the
central nervous system?
A. Glutamate
B. Acetylcholine
C. GABA
D. Histamine
Answer: C
Rationale: GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter,
while glutamate is the primary excitatory one.
University
1. Which cytochrome P450 enzyme is responsible for the metabolism of
approximately 50% of all clinically used drugs?
A. CYP2D6
B. CYP3A4
C. CYP1A2
D. CYP2C19
Answer: B
Rationale: CYP3A4 is the most abundant CYP enzyme in the liver and is involved in the
metabolism of about 50% of marketed drugs.
2. A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a response that is less than that
of a full agonist is known as a:
A. Inverse agonist
B. Partial agonist
C. Antagonist
D. Allosteric modulator
Answer: B
Rationale: Partial agonists bind to receptors but only have partial efficacy compared to a
full agonist, even at maximal occupancy.
,3. Hyperprolactinemia associated with antipsychotic use is caused by dopamine
blockade in which pathway?
A. Tuberoinfundibular
B. Nigrostriatal
C. Mesocortical
D. Mesolimbic
Answer: A
Rationale: The tuberoinfundibular pathway regulates prolactin secretion; dopamine
inhibition here leads to increased prolactin levels.
4. Which neurotransmitter is primarily synthesized in the Locus Coeruleus?
A. Serotonin
B. Norepinephrine
C. Dopamine
D. GABA
Answer: B
Rationale: The Locus Coeruleus is the primary site in the brainstem for norepinephrine
production.
5. What is the primary mechanism of action for Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A. Increasing serotonin synthesis
B. Blocking 5-HT2A receptors
C. Inhibiting the SERT transporter
D. Activating MAO enzymes
Answer: C
Rationale: SSRIs work by inhibiting the serotonin transporter (SERT), which increases the
concentration of serotonin in the synaptic cleft.
, 6. Which of the following is a hallmark symptom of Serotonin Syndrome?
A. Lead-pipe muscle rigidity
B. Hypothermia
C. Hyperreflexia and myoclonus
D. Bradycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: Serotonin Syndrome is characterized by neuromuscular excitability such as
hyperreflexia, tremors, and myoclonus.
7. Which mood stabilizer is most closely associated with a risk of Stevens-
Johnson Syndrome (SJS)?
A. Lithium
B. Valproate
C. Lamotrigine
D. Gabapentin
Answer: C
Rationale: Lamotrigine carries a black box warning for severe, life-threatening rashes
including SJS, requiring a slow titration.
8. Which neurotransmitter is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the
central nervous system?
A. Glutamate
B. Acetylcholine
C. GABA
D. Histamine
Answer: C
Rationale: GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter,
while glutamate is the primary excitatory one.
