NSG 552 Exams 1–3
Psychopharmacology
Bundle: 300-Q Test Bank
with NGN Case Scenarios &
Rationales Graded A+
SECTION A: Basic Neurobiology (Questions 1–20)
Question 1
Which part of the neuron is primarily responsible for receiving signals from
other neurons?
A. Axon
B. Dendrites
C. Myelin sheath
D. Soma
Answer: B. Dendrites
Rationale: Dendrites receive incoming electrical and chemical signals from
other neurons and transmit them toward the cell body. The axon transmits
signals away from the cell body. The myelin sheath insulates the axon, and
the soma (cell body) contains the nucleus.
, Question 2
An action potential is initiated when which ion channels open?
A. Potassium channels
B. Sodium channels
C. Calcium channels
D. Chloride channels
Answer: B. Sodium channels
Rationale: Voltage-gated sodium channels open, allowing sodium influx
and depolarization of the neuron, which initiates the action potential.
Potassium channels then open for repolarization.
Question 3
Which neurotransmitter is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the
central nervous system?
A. Glutamate
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Norepinephrine
Answer: C. GABA
Rationale: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the main inhibitory
neurotransmitter in the CNS. It hyperpolarizes postsynaptic membranes,
, reducing neuronal firing. Glutamate is the primary excitatory
neurotransmitter.
Question 4
Which neurotransmitter is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the
brain?
A. GABA
B. Glycine
C. Glutamate
D. Dopamine
Answer: C. Glutamate
Rationale: Glutamate activates NMDA, AMPA, and kainate receptors,
mediating fast excitatory synaptic transmission, learning, and memory.
Question 5
Dopamine is produced primarily in which brain region?
A. Locus coeruleus
B. Ventral tegmental area (VTA)
C. Raphe nuclei
D. Nucleus basalis
Answer: B. Ventral tegmental area (VTA)
, Rationale: Dopamine is produced in the VTA and is involved in the four
major dopaminergic pathways: mesolimbic, mesocortical, nigrostriatal, and
tuberoinfundibular.
Question 6
The mesolimbic pathway is associated with which functions?
A. Motor control and movement
B. Reward, motivation, and psychosis
C. Cognition and executive function
D. Prolactin regulation
Answer: B. Reward, motivation, and psychosis
Rationale: The mesolimbic pathway (VTA to nucleus accumbens) is
associated with reward and psychosis. Hyperactivity in this pathway
produces positive symptoms of schizophrenia (hallucinations, delusions).
Question 7
The nigrostriatal pathway is associated with which functions?
A. Reward and motivation
B. Motor control and movement
C. Cognition and executive function
D. Prolactin regulation
Answer: B. Motor control and movement
Psychopharmacology
Bundle: 300-Q Test Bank
with NGN Case Scenarios &
Rationales Graded A+
SECTION A: Basic Neurobiology (Questions 1–20)
Question 1
Which part of the neuron is primarily responsible for receiving signals from
other neurons?
A. Axon
B. Dendrites
C. Myelin sheath
D. Soma
Answer: B. Dendrites
Rationale: Dendrites receive incoming electrical and chemical signals from
other neurons and transmit them toward the cell body. The axon transmits
signals away from the cell body. The myelin sheath insulates the axon, and
the soma (cell body) contains the nucleus.
, Question 2
An action potential is initiated when which ion channels open?
A. Potassium channels
B. Sodium channels
C. Calcium channels
D. Chloride channels
Answer: B. Sodium channels
Rationale: Voltage-gated sodium channels open, allowing sodium influx
and depolarization of the neuron, which initiates the action potential.
Potassium channels then open for repolarization.
Question 3
Which neurotransmitter is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the
central nervous system?
A. Glutamate
B. Dopamine
C. GABA
D. Norepinephrine
Answer: C. GABA
Rationale: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the main inhibitory
neurotransmitter in the CNS. It hyperpolarizes postsynaptic membranes,
, reducing neuronal firing. Glutamate is the primary excitatory
neurotransmitter.
Question 4
Which neurotransmitter is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the
brain?
A. GABA
B. Glycine
C. Glutamate
D. Dopamine
Answer: C. Glutamate
Rationale: Glutamate activates NMDA, AMPA, and kainate receptors,
mediating fast excitatory synaptic transmission, learning, and memory.
Question 5
Dopamine is produced primarily in which brain region?
A. Locus coeruleus
B. Ventral tegmental area (VTA)
C. Raphe nuclei
D. Nucleus basalis
Answer: B. Ventral tegmental area (VTA)
, Rationale: Dopamine is produced in the VTA and is involved in the four
major dopaminergic pathways: mesolimbic, mesocortical, nigrostriatal, and
tuberoinfundibular.
Question 6
The mesolimbic pathway is associated with which functions?
A. Motor control and movement
B. Reward, motivation, and psychosis
C. Cognition and executive function
D. Prolactin regulation
Answer: B. Reward, motivation, and psychosis
Rationale: The mesolimbic pathway (VTA to nucleus accumbens) is
associated with reward and psychosis. Hyperactivity in this pathway
produces positive symptoms of schizophrenia (hallucinations, delusions).
Question 7
The nigrostriatal pathway is associated with which functions?
A. Reward and motivation
B. Motor control and movement
C. Cognition and executive function
D. Prolactin regulation
Answer: B. Motor control and movement
