NURS 6630 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
MIDTERM 2026 COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHIATRIC
MEDICATIONS AND NEUROSCIENCE REVIEW
GUIDE
◉ Disruption in brain chemical levels affecting mood.
Answer: Neurotransmitter Imbalance
◉ Symptoms that add to the patient's experience.
Answer: Positive Symptoms
◉ Increased restlessness or anxiety in schizophrenia.
Answer: Agitation
◉ Neurotransmitter linked to mood regulation.
Answer: Serotonin
◉ First antidepressant targeting serotonin imbalance.
Answer: Prozac
◉ Impaired neurotransmitter functions in psychiatric illnesses.
,Answer: Dysfunctioning Neurotransmitter Systems
◉ Process of converting genetic information into proteins.
Answer: Gene Expression
◉ Protein that initiates gene transcription.
Answer: Transcription Factor
◉ Changes in behavior influencing genetic expression.
Answer: Behavior Modification
◉ Enzyme system affecting drug metabolism.
Answer: Cytochrome P450
◉ Amount of drug available after metabolism.
Answer: Bioavailability
◉ Study of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
Answer: Pharmacokinetics
◉ Some Asians require reduced doses of medications.
Answer: Lower Drug Doses
,◉ Receptors that mediate cellular responses to neurotransmitters.
Answer: G-Protein Linked Receptors
◉ Medications that block receptor activity.
Answer: Antagonistic Traits
◉ Medication used for treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
Answer: Clozapine (Clozaril)
◉ Smoking can alter medication metabolism.
Answer: Smoking Impact
◉ Mood stabilizer associated with thrombocytopenia.
Answer: Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
◉ Medication used to treat mood disorders.
Answer: Mood Stabilizer
◉ Antidepressant also used for chronic pain.
Answer: Amitriptyline (Elavil)
, ◉ SSRI antidepressant for depression and anxiety.
Answer: Fluoxetine (Prozac)
◉ Low platelet count caused by medication.
Answer: Drug-Induced Thrombocytopenia
◉ An antidepressant used for mood disorders.
Answer: Amitriptyline (Elavil)
◉ Decreases serotonin and dopamine activity.
Answer: Inverse agonist
◉ Medications for anxiety and panic disorders.
Answer: Benzodiazepines
◉ Receptors that mediate rapid synaptic transmission.
Answer: Ionotropic receptors
◉ Medication used for smoking cessation.
Answer: Varenicline (Chantix)
◉ Drugs that partially stimulate receptors.
MIDTERM 2026 COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHIATRIC
MEDICATIONS AND NEUROSCIENCE REVIEW
GUIDE
◉ Disruption in brain chemical levels affecting mood.
Answer: Neurotransmitter Imbalance
◉ Symptoms that add to the patient's experience.
Answer: Positive Symptoms
◉ Increased restlessness or anxiety in schizophrenia.
Answer: Agitation
◉ Neurotransmitter linked to mood regulation.
Answer: Serotonin
◉ First antidepressant targeting serotonin imbalance.
Answer: Prozac
◉ Impaired neurotransmitter functions in psychiatric illnesses.
,Answer: Dysfunctioning Neurotransmitter Systems
◉ Process of converting genetic information into proteins.
Answer: Gene Expression
◉ Protein that initiates gene transcription.
Answer: Transcription Factor
◉ Changes in behavior influencing genetic expression.
Answer: Behavior Modification
◉ Enzyme system affecting drug metabolism.
Answer: Cytochrome P450
◉ Amount of drug available after metabolism.
Answer: Bioavailability
◉ Study of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
Answer: Pharmacokinetics
◉ Some Asians require reduced doses of medications.
Answer: Lower Drug Doses
,◉ Receptors that mediate cellular responses to neurotransmitters.
Answer: G-Protein Linked Receptors
◉ Medications that block receptor activity.
Answer: Antagonistic Traits
◉ Medication used for treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
Answer: Clozapine (Clozaril)
◉ Smoking can alter medication metabolism.
Answer: Smoking Impact
◉ Mood stabilizer associated with thrombocytopenia.
Answer: Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
◉ Medication used to treat mood disorders.
Answer: Mood Stabilizer
◉ Antidepressant also used for chronic pain.
Answer: Amitriptyline (Elavil)
, ◉ SSRI antidepressant for depression and anxiety.
Answer: Fluoxetine (Prozac)
◉ Low platelet count caused by medication.
Answer: Drug-Induced Thrombocytopenia
◉ An antidepressant used for mood disorders.
Answer: Amitriptyline (Elavil)
◉ Decreases serotonin and dopamine activity.
Answer: Inverse agonist
◉ Medications for anxiety and panic disorders.
Answer: Benzodiazepines
◉ Receptors that mediate rapid synaptic transmission.
Answer: Ionotropic receptors
◉ Medication used for smoking cessation.
Answer: Varenicline (Chantix)
◉ Drugs that partially stimulate receptors.
