NSG 552 Exam 3 | Psychopharmacology | Wilkes University | 109
Questions & Answers | Latest 2026/2027 | 100% Verified Complete
Exam 3 Study Guide – Actual Questions with Bold Answers &
Italic Explanations
Overview
This NSG 552 Exam 3 study guide contains 109 actual questions and verified answers for
Wilkes University's Psychopharmacology course, updated for 2025/2026. Covers alcohol
use disorder (disulfiram, naltrexone, acamprosate, CIWA protocol), opioid use disorder
(methadone, buprenorphine/Suboxone, naltrexone, naloxone), stimulants (cocaine,
methamphetamine management), nicotine cessation (varenicline, bupropion, NRT), ADHD
pharmacotherapy (methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, non-stimulants), autism spectrum
disorder (risperidone, aripiprazole), geriatric psychopharmacology (anticholinergic
avoidance, Beers criteria), delirium management (haloperidol), and dementia subtypes
(Alzheimer's: donepezil, memantine; Lewy body: rivastigmine, antipsychotic sensitivity;
frontotemporal: SSRIs). Each question includes correct answer in bold with italic
explanation. Pass your exam.
SECTION 1: SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS – ALCOHOL (Questions 1–25)
1. A 55-year-old male with alcohol use disorder is prescribed disulfiram (Antabuse).
What is the mechanism of action of this medication?
,A) Opioid receptor antagonist
B) Inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase
C) GABA-A receptor agonist
D) NMDA receptor antagonist
Answer: B
Disulfiram inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase, causing accumulation of acetaldehyde when
alcohol is consumed, leading to flushing, nausea, vomiting, and hypotension. This aversive
reaction deters alcohol use.
2. A patient on disulfiram reports drinking alcohol two days after stopping the
medication. What is the most appropriate response?
A) Reassure that no reaction will occur
B) Monitor for reaction; disulfiram can remain active for up to 14 days
C) Administer IV fluids immediately
D) Prescribe naltrexone instead
Answer: B
*Disulfiram's aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibition can persist for 7-14 days after the last
dose. Patients must be warned to avoid alcohol during this period to prevent a disulfiram-
ethanol reaction.*
3. A 45-year-old male with alcohol use disorder is prescribed naltrexone. Which
statement best describes the mechanism of action of naltrexone?
A) Mu-opioid receptor antagonist
B) Partial mu-opioid receptor agonist
,C) GABA-A receptor positive modulator
D) Serotonin reuptake inhibitor
Answer: A
Naltrexone is a competitive antagonist at mu-opioid receptors, reducing the rewarding
effects of alcohol and decreasing cravings. It is also used for opioid use disorder.
4. A patient starting naltrexone for alcohol use disorder asks how the medication
works. Which response is most accurate?
A) "It causes nausea if you drink alcohol"
B) "It reduces cravings and the pleasurable effects of alcohol"
C) "It replaces alcohol with a safer substance"
D) "It blocks the metabolism of alcohol"
Answer: B
Naltrexone reduces alcohol cravings and blunts the euphoric effects of alcohol by blocking
opioid receptors involved in the brain's reward pathway.
5. A 50-year-old female with alcohol use disorder is prescribed acamprosate
(Campral). What is the mechanism of action of this medication?
A) Mu-opioid receptor antagonist
B) NMDA receptor antagonist and GABA-A receptor agonist
C) Aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor
D) Dopamine reuptake inhibitor
Answer: B
Acamprosate modulates glutamate and GABA neurotransmission by antagonizing NMDA
receptors and positively modulating GABA-A receptors, reducing protracted withdrawal
symptoms and cravings.
, 6. A patient with alcohol use disorder has been abstinent for 14 days and continues
to experience insomnia, anxiety, and dysphoria. Which medication is most
appropriate for these protracted withdrawal symptoms?
A) Disulfiram
B) Naltrexone
C) Acamprosate
D) Lorazepam
Answer: C
Acamprosate is most effective in patients who are already abstinent and targets protracted
withdrawal symptoms (insomnia, anxiety, dysphoria) by restoring GABA-glutamate balance.
7. A 60-year-old male with alcohol use disorder and liver cirrhosis is being treated for
alcohol dependence. Which medication should be avoided due to hepatotoxicity
risk?
A) Naltrexone (oral)
B) Disulfiram
C) Acamprosate
D) Naltrexone (IM)
Answer: B
Disulfiram is contraindicated in patients with severe liver disease or cirrhosis due to risk of
hepatotoxicity. Naltrexone requires monitoring of liver function but may be used with
caution.
Questions & Answers | Latest 2026/2027 | 100% Verified Complete
Exam 3 Study Guide – Actual Questions with Bold Answers &
Italic Explanations
Overview
This NSG 552 Exam 3 study guide contains 109 actual questions and verified answers for
Wilkes University's Psychopharmacology course, updated for 2025/2026. Covers alcohol
use disorder (disulfiram, naltrexone, acamprosate, CIWA protocol), opioid use disorder
(methadone, buprenorphine/Suboxone, naltrexone, naloxone), stimulants (cocaine,
methamphetamine management), nicotine cessation (varenicline, bupropion, NRT), ADHD
pharmacotherapy (methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, non-stimulants), autism spectrum
disorder (risperidone, aripiprazole), geriatric psychopharmacology (anticholinergic
avoidance, Beers criteria), delirium management (haloperidol), and dementia subtypes
(Alzheimer's: donepezil, memantine; Lewy body: rivastigmine, antipsychotic sensitivity;
frontotemporal: SSRIs). Each question includes correct answer in bold with italic
explanation. Pass your exam.
SECTION 1: SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS – ALCOHOL (Questions 1–25)
1. A 55-year-old male with alcohol use disorder is prescribed disulfiram (Antabuse).
What is the mechanism of action of this medication?
,A) Opioid receptor antagonist
B) Inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase
C) GABA-A receptor agonist
D) NMDA receptor antagonist
Answer: B
Disulfiram inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase, causing accumulation of acetaldehyde when
alcohol is consumed, leading to flushing, nausea, vomiting, and hypotension. This aversive
reaction deters alcohol use.
2. A patient on disulfiram reports drinking alcohol two days after stopping the
medication. What is the most appropriate response?
A) Reassure that no reaction will occur
B) Monitor for reaction; disulfiram can remain active for up to 14 days
C) Administer IV fluids immediately
D) Prescribe naltrexone instead
Answer: B
*Disulfiram's aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibition can persist for 7-14 days after the last
dose. Patients must be warned to avoid alcohol during this period to prevent a disulfiram-
ethanol reaction.*
3. A 45-year-old male with alcohol use disorder is prescribed naltrexone. Which
statement best describes the mechanism of action of naltrexone?
A) Mu-opioid receptor antagonist
B) Partial mu-opioid receptor agonist
,C) GABA-A receptor positive modulator
D) Serotonin reuptake inhibitor
Answer: A
Naltrexone is a competitive antagonist at mu-opioid receptors, reducing the rewarding
effects of alcohol and decreasing cravings. It is also used for opioid use disorder.
4. A patient starting naltrexone for alcohol use disorder asks how the medication
works. Which response is most accurate?
A) "It causes nausea if you drink alcohol"
B) "It reduces cravings and the pleasurable effects of alcohol"
C) "It replaces alcohol with a safer substance"
D) "It blocks the metabolism of alcohol"
Answer: B
Naltrexone reduces alcohol cravings and blunts the euphoric effects of alcohol by blocking
opioid receptors involved in the brain's reward pathway.
5. A 50-year-old female with alcohol use disorder is prescribed acamprosate
(Campral). What is the mechanism of action of this medication?
A) Mu-opioid receptor antagonist
B) NMDA receptor antagonist and GABA-A receptor agonist
C) Aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor
D) Dopamine reuptake inhibitor
Answer: B
Acamprosate modulates glutamate and GABA neurotransmission by antagonizing NMDA
receptors and positively modulating GABA-A receptors, reducing protracted withdrawal
symptoms and cravings.
, 6. A patient with alcohol use disorder has been abstinent for 14 days and continues
to experience insomnia, anxiety, and dysphoria. Which medication is most
appropriate for these protracted withdrawal symptoms?
A) Disulfiram
B) Naltrexone
C) Acamprosate
D) Lorazepam
Answer: C
Acamprosate is most effective in patients who are already abstinent and targets protracted
withdrawal symptoms (insomnia, anxiety, dysphoria) by restoring GABA-glutamate balance.
7. A 60-year-old male with alcohol use disorder and liver cirrhosis is being treated for
alcohol dependence. Which medication should be avoided due to hepatotoxicity
risk?
A) Naltrexone (oral)
B) Disulfiram
C) Acamprosate
D) Naltrexone (IM)
Answer: B
Disulfiram is contraindicated in patients with severe liver disease or cirrhosis due to risk of
hepatotoxicity. Naltrexone requires monitoring of liver function but may be used with
caution.
