NSG552 / NSG 552 Exam 2 Psychopharmacology
Wilkes Actual Exam with Verified Questions with
Correct Answers 2026/2027
1. What does pharmacokinetics describe?
A) The drug's effect on the body
B) How the body processes the drug
C) The drug's chemical composition
D) The therapeutic outcome
Answer B: How the body processes the drug
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics involves absorption, distribution, metabolism, and
excretion (ADME) .
2. What is the primary mechanism of action of first-generation
antipsychotics?
A) Block serotonin receptors only
B) Strong D2 dopamine receptor blockade
C) Weak D2 receptor binding
D) GABA enhancement
Answer B: Strong D2 dopamine receptor blockade
Rationale: First-generation antipsychotics primarily block D2 dopamine receptors,
which is why they commonly cause extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) .
,3. Which antipsychotic is an example of a second-generation (atypical) drug?
A) Haloperidol
B) Risperidone
C) Chlorpromazine
D) Fluphenazine
Answer B: Risperidone
Rationale: Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic with both dopamine and
serotonin receptor activity, unlike first-generation agents .
4. Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by SSRIs?
A) Dopamine
B) Norepinephrine
C) Serotonin
D) GABA
Answer C: Serotonin
Rationale: SSRIs selectively inhibit the reuptake of serotonin, increasing its
availability in the synaptic cleft .
5. What is a key advantage of second-generation antipsychotics over first-
generation antipsychotics?
A) Higher efficacy for positive symptoms
,B) Reduced risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
C) Faster onset of action
D) Greater D2 receptor affinity
Answer B: Reduced risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
Rationale: Atypical antipsychotics have lower EPS risk due to rapid dissociation
from D2 receptors and serotonin 5-HT2A antagonism .
6. Which drug is commonly used to treat acute EPS caused by antipsychotics?
A) Fluoxetine
B) Benztropine
C) Lithium
D) Valproate
Answer B: Benztropine
Rationale: Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication used to manage acute
dystonia and parkinsonism caused by antipsychotics .
7. Which SNRI is FDA-approved for both depression and pain conditions like
diabetic neuropathy?
A) Paroxetine
B) Duloxetine
C) Citalopram
D) Mirtazapine
Answer B: Duloxetine
, Rationale: Duloxetine is an SNRI approved for depression and various pain
conditions due to its modulation of descending pain pathways via serotonin and
norepinephrine .
8. Lamotrigine must be titrated slowly primarily to reduce the risk of which
life-threatening condition?
A) Agranulocytosis
B) Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
C) Acute renal failure
D) Hypertensive crisis
Answer B: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Rationale: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a severe, potentially life-threatening rash
associated with lamotrigine; slow titration minimizes this risk .
9. Which lab test is most critical to monitor for a patient taking clozapine?
A) Serum Potassium
B) Liver Function Tests
C) Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
D) Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
Answer C: Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis; ANC must be monitored
regularly under the REMS program .
Wilkes Actual Exam with Verified Questions with
Correct Answers 2026/2027
1. What does pharmacokinetics describe?
A) The drug's effect on the body
B) How the body processes the drug
C) The drug's chemical composition
D) The therapeutic outcome
Answer B: How the body processes the drug
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics involves absorption, distribution, metabolism, and
excretion (ADME) .
2. What is the primary mechanism of action of first-generation
antipsychotics?
A) Block serotonin receptors only
B) Strong D2 dopamine receptor blockade
C) Weak D2 receptor binding
D) GABA enhancement
Answer B: Strong D2 dopamine receptor blockade
Rationale: First-generation antipsychotics primarily block D2 dopamine receptors,
which is why they commonly cause extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) .
,3. Which antipsychotic is an example of a second-generation (atypical) drug?
A) Haloperidol
B) Risperidone
C) Chlorpromazine
D) Fluphenazine
Answer B: Risperidone
Rationale: Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic with both dopamine and
serotonin receptor activity, unlike first-generation agents .
4. Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by SSRIs?
A) Dopamine
B) Norepinephrine
C) Serotonin
D) GABA
Answer C: Serotonin
Rationale: SSRIs selectively inhibit the reuptake of serotonin, increasing its
availability in the synaptic cleft .
5. What is a key advantage of second-generation antipsychotics over first-
generation antipsychotics?
A) Higher efficacy for positive symptoms
,B) Reduced risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
C) Faster onset of action
D) Greater D2 receptor affinity
Answer B: Reduced risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
Rationale: Atypical antipsychotics have lower EPS risk due to rapid dissociation
from D2 receptors and serotonin 5-HT2A antagonism .
6. Which drug is commonly used to treat acute EPS caused by antipsychotics?
A) Fluoxetine
B) Benztropine
C) Lithium
D) Valproate
Answer B: Benztropine
Rationale: Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication used to manage acute
dystonia and parkinsonism caused by antipsychotics .
7. Which SNRI is FDA-approved for both depression and pain conditions like
diabetic neuropathy?
A) Paroxetine
B) Duloxetine
C) Citalopram
D) Mirtazapine
Answer B: Duloxetine
, Rationale: Duloxetine is an SNRI approved for depression and various pain
conditions due to its modulation of descending pain pathways via serotonin and
norepinephrine .
8. Lamotrigine must be titrated slowly primarily to reduce the risk of which
life-threatening condition?
A) Agranulocytosis
B) Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
C) Acute renal failure
D) Hypertensive crisis
Answer B: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Rationale: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a severe, potentially life-threatening rash
associated with lamotrigine; slow titration minimizes this risk .
9. Which lab test is most critical to monitor for a patient taking clozapine?
A) Serum Potassium
B) Liver Function Tests
C) Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
D) Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
Answer C: Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk of agranulocytosis; ANC must be monitored
regularly under the REMS program .
