NSG552 / NSG 552 Exam 1 (Latest 2025 /
2026): Psychopharmacology | Grade A
Questions and Verified Answers | 100%
Correct - Wilkes
1. A student nurse questions the need to understand the anatomy and
physiology of the neurologic system. The mentor would base a response on the
understanding that it is:
A. Necessary but generally for psychiatric nurses who focus primarily on behavioral
interventions
B. A complex undertaking that advanced practice psychiatric nurses frequently use
in their practice
C. Important primarily for the nursing assessment of patients with brain trauma
caused cognitive symptoms
D. Necessary for planning psychiatric care for all patients, especially those
experiencing psychiatric disorders
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Understanding neuroanatomy and physiology is essential for planning
psychiatric care for all patients, particularly those with psychiatric disorders, as it
provides the foundation for understanding the biological basis of mental illness and
psychopharmacological interventions.
2. A patient asks the nurse, "My wife has breast cancer. Could it be caused by
her chronic depression?" Which response is supported by research data?
,A. Too much stress has been proven to cause all kinds of cancer
B. There have been no research studies done on stress and disease yet
C. Stress does cause the release of factors that suppress the immune system
D. There appears to be little connection between stress and diseases of the body
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Research demonstrates that stress causes the release of factors that
suppress the immune system, which can contribute to various disease processes.
3. A patient who has a parietal lobe injury is being evaluated for psychiatric
rehabilitation needs. Which aspect of functioning will the nurse identify as a
focus of nursing intervention?
A. Expression of emotion
B. Detecting auditory stimuli
C. Receiving visual images
D. Processing associations
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The parietal lobe is responsible for processing associations, including
sensory integration and spatial awareness. Injury to this area would require nursing
interventions focused on these functions.
4. A patient had an infarct in the right cerebral cortex. During assessment, the
nurse would expect to find that the patient:
A. Demonstrates major deficiencies in speech
B. Is unable to effectively hold a spoon in the left hand
,C. Has difficulty explaining how to go about using the telephone
D. Cannot use his right hand to shave himself or comb his own hair
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The right cerebral cortex controls motor function on the left side of the
body. An infarct in the right cortex would result in left-sided motor deficits, such as
inability to hold a spoon in the left hand.
5. A patient with chronic schizophrenia had a stroke involving the
hippocampus. The patient will be discharged on low doses of haloperidol. The
nurse will need to individualize the patient's medication teaching by:
A. Including the patient's caregiver in the education
B. Being careful to stress the importance of taking the medication as prescribed
C. Providing the education at a time when the patient is emotionally calm and
relaxed
D. Encouraging the patient to crush or dissolve the medication to help with
swallowing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hippocampal damage affects memory formation and retention.
Including the caregiver in medication education ensures that someone can
reinforce the teaching and assist with medication adherence.
6. A physician prescribes a medication that enhances the GABA system. Which
patient behavior will provide evidence that the medication therapy is
successful?
, A. The patient is actively involved in playing cards with other patients
B. The patient reports, "I don't feel as anxious as I did a couple of days ago"
C. The patient reports that both auditory and visual hallucinations have decreased
D. The patient says, "I am much happier than before I came to the hospital"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS and is
associated with anxiety reduction. Enhanced GABA activity would most directly
result in decreased anxiety.
7. A neuron has been hyperpolarized. How will this affect the excitability of the
neuron?
A. The neuron will have a membrane potential farther from the threshold
B. The neuron will be more difficult to repolarize after firing
C. The membrane potential of the neuron will be closer to the threshold
D. The neuron will fire more readily
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperpolarization moves the membrane potential farther from the
threshold, making the neuron less excitable and more difficult to stimulate to fire.
8. A patient with multiple sclerosis has progressive destruction of
oligodendrocytes in the CNS. Which physiologic process is most likely to be
affected?
A. Oxygen metabolism
B. Neurotransmitter synthesis
2026): Psychopharmacology | Grade A
Questions and Verified Answers | 100%
Correct - Wilkes
1. A student nurse questions the need to understand the anatomy and
physiology of the neurologic system. The mentor would base a response on the
understanding that it is:
A. Necessary but generally for psychiatric nurses who focus primarily on behavioral
interventions
B. A complex undertaking that advanced practice psychiatric nurses frequently use
in their practice
C. Important primarily for the nursing assessment of patients with brain trauma
caused cognitive symptoms
D. Necessary for planning psychiatric care for all patients, especially those
experiencing psychiatric disorders
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Understanding neuroanatomy and physiology is essential for planning
psychiatric care for all patients, particularly those with psychiatric disorders, as it
provides the foundation for understanding the biological basis of mental illness and
psychopharmacological interventions.
2. A patient asks the nurse, "My wife has breast cancer. Could it be caused by
her chronic depression?" Which response is supported by research data?
,A. Too much stress has been proven to cause all kinds of cancer
B. There have been no research studies done on stress and disease yet
C. Stress does cause the release of factors that suppress the immune system
D. There appears to be little connection between stress and diseases of the body
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Research demonstrates that stress causes the release of factors that
suppress the immune system, which can contribute to various disease processes.
3. A patient who has a parietal lobe injury is being evaluated for psychiatric
rehabilitation needs. Which aspect of functioning will the nurse identify as a
focus of nursing intervention?
A. Expression of emotion
B. Detecting auditory stimuli
C. Receiving visual images
D. Processing associations
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The parietal lobe is responsible for processing associations, including
sensory integration and spatial awareness. Injury to this area would require nursing
interventions focused on these functions.
4. A patient had an infarct in the right cerebral cortex. During assessment, the
nurse would expect to find that the patient:
A. Demonstrates major deficiencies in speech
B. Is unable to effectively hold a spoon in the left hand
,C. Has difficulty explaining how to go about using the telephone
D. Cannot use his right hand to shave himself or comb his own hair
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The right cerebral cortex controls motor function on the left side of the
body. An infarct in the right cortex would result in left-sided motor deficits, such as
inability to hold a spoon in the left hand.
5. A patient with chronic schizophrenia had a stroke involving the
hippocampus. The patient will be discharged on low doses of haloperidol. The
nurse will need to individualize the patient's medication teaching by:
A. Including the patient's caregiver in the education
B. Being careful to stress the importance of taking the medication as prescribed
C. Providing the education at a time when the patient is emotionally calm and
relaxed
D. Encouraging the patient to crush or dissolve the medication to help with
swallowing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hippocampal damage affects memory formation and retention.
Including the caregiver in medication education ensures that someone can
reinforce the teaching and assist with medication adherence.
6. A physician prescribes a medication that enhances the GABA system. Which
patient behavior will provide evidence that the medication therapy is
successful?
, A. The patient is actively involved in playing cards with other patients
B. The patient reports, "I don't feel as anxious as I did a couple of days ago"
C. The patient reports that both auditory and visual hallucinations have decreased
D. The patient says, "I am much happier than before I came to the hospital"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS and is
associated with anxiety reduction. Enhanced GABA activity would most directly
result in decreased anxiety.
7. A neuron has been hyperpolarized. How will this affect the excitability of the
neuron?
A. The neuron will have a membrane potential farther from the threshold
B. The neuron will be more difficult to repolarize after firing
C. The membrane potential of the neuron will be closer to the threshold
D. The neuron will fire more readily
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperpolarization moves the membrane potential farther from the
threshold, making the neuron less excitable and more difficult to stimulate to fire.
8. A patient with multiple sclerosis has progressive destruction of
oligodendrocytes in the CNS. Which physiologic process is most likely to be
affected?
A. Oxygen metabolism
B. Neurotransmitter synthesis
