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NR 546 Midterm Exam Advanced Pharmacology
Psychopharmacology PMHNP 2026/2027 Actual Exam Review
with Verified Answers and Detailed Rationales NGN Grade A+
1. Which of the following data is most accurate in determining a treatment plan for a
patient who presents with depression?
A. The patient's family history of depression
B. The patient states that they are experiencing feelings of sadness, insomnia, and lack
of appetite
C. The patient's previous response to antidepressants
D. The patient's genetic testing results
Correct Answer: The patient states that they are experiencing feelings of sadness,
insomnia, and lack of appetite
Rationale: Patient symptoms are the priority data used to determine a treatment plan
for mental health disorders.
2. Informed consent requires that clients:
A. Must accept all recommended treatments
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B. Have the right to receive enough information to make decisions about their
treatment and must be informed about potential risks associated with medications
C. Cannot refuse treatment under any circumstances
D. Must sign a waiver before any treatment
Correct Answer: Have the right to receive enough information to make decisions
about their treatment and must be informed about potential risks associated with
medications
Rationale: Informed consent ensures clients receive adequate information to make
voluntary treatment decisions and have the right to refuse treatment.
3. Which lobe is responsible for movement and intelligence and can result in
personality changes if damaged?
A. Parietal lobe
B. Temporal lobe
C. Frontal lobe
D. Occipital lobe
Correct Answer: Frontal lobe
Rationale: The frontal lobe controls movement, intelligence, abstract thinking,
personality, behavior, and emotional control.
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4. The PMHNP wants to prescribe olanzapine for a client with depression. However,
the client currently takes amiodarone for chronic atrial fibrillation. What does the
PMHNP need to do to establish efficacy of this medication?
A. Increase the dosage of olanzapine
B. Decrease the dosage of olanzapine
C. Add a second antipsychotic
D. Discontinue amiodarone
Correct Answer: Decrease the dosage of olanzapine
Rationale: Amiodarone is a CYP450 inhibitor, which slows olanzapine metabolism,
leading to higher drug levels and risk of toxicity.
5. What neurotransmitter is responsible for a patient's diagnosis of Parkinson's
disease?
A. Serotonin
B. Norepinephrine
C. Dopamine
D. GABA
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Correct Answer: Dopamine
Rationale: Dopamine affects balance and coordination; low levels are found in
Parkinson's disease.
6. A surgical patient is post-op after a hernia repair. The patient is given opioids in the
OR and now has a shallow respiratory rate, pinpoint pupils, and is unresponsive to
verbal stimulation. The PMHNP prescribed naloxone to reverse the effects of the
opioids. Where does Naloxone fall on the agonist spectrum?
A. Agonist
B. Partial agonist
C. Inverse agonist
D. Antagonist
Correct Answer: Antagonist
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that blocks opioid receptors to reverse
respiratory depression.
7. Medications for schizophrenia target which main neurotransmitter?
A. Serotonin
B. Norepinephrine
NR 546 Midterm Exam Advanced Pharmacology
Psychopharmacology PMHNP 2026/2027 Actual Exam Review
with Verified Answers and Detailed Rationales NGN Grade A+
1. Which of the following data is most accurate in determining a treatment plan for a
patient who presents with depression?
A. The patient's family history of depression
B. The patient states that they are experiencing feelings of sadness, insomnia, and lack
of appetite
C. The patient's previous response to antidepressants
D. The patient's genetic testing results
Correct Answer: The patient states that they are experiencing feelings of sadness,
insomnia, and lack of appetite
Rationale: Patient symptoms are the priority data used to determine a treatment plan
for mental health disorders.
2. Informed consent requires that clients:
A. Must accept all recommended treatments
,2|Page
B. Have the right to receive enough information to make decisions about their
treatment and must be informed about potential risks associated with medications
C. Cannot refuse treatment under any circumstances
D. Must sign a waiver before any treatment
Correct Answer: Have the right to receive enough information to make decisions
about their treatment and must be informed about potential risks associated with
medications
Rationale: Informed consent ensures clients receive adequate information to make
voluntary treatment decisions and have the right to refuse treatment.
3. Which lobe is responsible for movement and intelligence and can result in
personality changes if damaged?
A. Parietal lobe
B. Temporal lobe
C. Frontal lobe
D. Occipital lobe
Correct Answer: Frontal lobe
Rationale: The frontal lobe controls movement, intelligence, abstract thinking,
personality, behavior, and emotional control.
,3|Page
4. The PMHNP wants to prescribe olanzapine for a client with depression. However,
the client currently takes amiodarone for chronic atrial fibrillation. What does the
PMHNP need to do to establish efficacy of this medication?
A. Increase the dosage of olanzapine
B. Decrease the dosage of olanzapine
C. Add a second antipsychotic
D. Discontinue amiodarone
Correct Answer: Decrease the dosage of olanzapine
Rationale: Amiodarone is a CYP450 inhibitor, which slows olanzapine metabolism,
leading to higher drug levels and risk of toxicity.
5. What neurotransmitter is responsible for a patient's diagnosis of Parkinson's
disease?
A. Serotonin
B. Norepinephrine
C. Dopamine
D. GABA
, 4|Page
Correct Answer: Dopamine
Rationale: Dopamine affects balance and coordination; low levels are found in
Parkinson's disease.
6. A surgical patient is post-op after a hernia repair. The patient is given opioids in the
OR and now has a shallow respiratory rate, pinpoint pupils, and is unresponsive to
verbal stimulation. The PMHNP prescribed naloxone to reverse the effects of the
opioids. Where does Naloxone fall on the agonist spectrum?
A. Agonist
B. Partial agonist
C. Inverse agonist
D. Antagonist
Correct Answer: Antagonist
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that blocks opioid receptors to reverse
respiratory depression.
7. Medications for schizophrenia target which main neurotransmitter?
A. Serotonin
B. Norepinephrine
