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WGU D345: PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY 2026/2027 | 100%
VERIFIED EXAM QUESTIONS AND EXPLAINED ANSWERS |
LATEST WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY OBJECTIVE
ASSESSMENT | NEWEST
A patient asks why selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are
commonly used as first-line pharmacologic treatment for major
depressive disorder. Which explanation BEST describes their primary
mechanism?
A. They block dopamine receptors in the mesolimbic pathway
B. They inhibit serotonin reuptake, increasing serotonin availability
within the synaptic cleft
C. They directly stimulate GABA-A receptors to produce sedation
D. They irreversibly inhibit the metabolism of all neurotransmitters
Answer: B
A patient taking an SSRI reports nausea, headache, and mild
gastrointestinal discomfort during the first week of therapy. What is the
MOST appropriate response?
A. Explain that these effects can occur early in treatment and may
improve as the patient adapts
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B. Instruct the patient to discontinue the medication immediately
C. Tell the patient that these symptoms indicate serotonin syndrome
D. Recommend doubling the dose to accelerate therapeutic adaptation
Answer: A
A patient taking sertraline develops agitation, diaphoresis,
hyperreflexia, tremor, and fever after another serotonergic medication
is added. Which condition should the PMHNP suspect?
A. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Anticholinergic toxicity
D. Lithium-induced hypothyroidism
Answer: B
Which neurotransmitter is most strongly associated with reward,
motivation, movement, and the pathophysiology of psychotic
symptoms?
A. GABA
B. Acetylcholine
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C. Dopamine
D. Glutamate
Answer: C
A patient with schizophrenia experiences hallucinations and delusions.
Which neurotransmitter pathway is most strongly associated with these
positive psychotic symptoms?
A. Mesolimbic dopamine pathway
B. Nigrostriatal acetylcholine pathway
C. Tuberoinfundibular serotonin pathway
D. Mesocortical GABA pathway
Answer: A
A patient taking a first-generation antipsychotic develops rigidity,
tremor, and bradykinesia. These extrapyramidal symptoms are primarily
associated with dopamine blockade in which pathway?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Nigrostriatal pathway
C. Mesocortical pathway
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D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: B
A patient taking an antipsychotic develops fever, severe muscle rigidity,
altered mental status, and autonomic instability. Which potentially life-
threatening reaction should be suspected?
A. Serotonin syndrome
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Hypertensive crisis
D. Acute dystonia only
Answer: B
A patient begins an atypical antipsychotic and subsequently develops
substantial weight gain, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. Which
adverse-effect category requires particular monitoring?
A. Metabolic syndrome
B. Cholinergic toxicity
C. Hemolytic anemia
D. Renal tubular acidosis
WGU D345: PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY 2026/2027 | 100%
VERIFIED EXAM QUESTIONS AND EXPLAINED ANSWERS |
LATEST WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY OBJECTIVE
ASSESSMENT | NEWEST
A patient asks why selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are
commonly used as first-line pharmacologic treatment for major
depressive disorder. Which explanation BEST describes their primary
mechanism?
A. They block dopamine receptors in the mesolimbic pathway
B. They inhibit serotonin reuptake, increasing serotonin availability
within the synaptic cleft
C. They directly stimulate GABA-A receptors to produce sedation
D. They irreversibly inhibit the metabolism of all neurotransmitters
Answer: B
A patient taking an SSRI reports nausea, headache, and mild
gastrointestinal discomfort during the first week of therapy. What is the
MOST appropriate response?
A. Explain that these effects can occur early in treatment and may
improve as the patient adapts
,2|Page
B. Instruct the patient to discontinue the medication immediately
C. Tell the patient that these symptoms indicate serotonin syndrome
D. Recommend doubling the dose to accelerate therapeutic adaptation
Answer: A
A patient taking sertraline develops agitation, diaphoresis,
hyperreflexia, tremor, and fever after another serotonergic medication
is added. Which condition should the PMHNP suspect?
A. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Anticholinergic toxicity
D. Lithium-induced hypothyroidism
Answer: B
Which neurotransmitter is most strongly associated with reward,
motivation, movement, and the pathophysiology of psychotic
symptoms?
A. GABA
B. Acetylcholine
,3|Page
C. Dopamine
D. Glutamate
Answer: C
A patient with schizophrenia experiences hallucinations and delusions.
Which neurotransmitter pathway is most strongly associated with these
positive psychotic symptoms?
A. Mesolimbic dopamine pathway
B. Nigrostriatal acetylcholine pathway
C. Tuberoinfundibular serotonin pathway
D. Mesocortical GABA pathway
Answer: A
A patient taking a first-generation antipsychotic develops rigidity,
tremor, and bradykinesia. These extrapyramidal symptoms are primarily
associated with dopamine blockade in which pathway?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Nigrostriatal pathway
C. Mesocortical pathway
, 4|Page
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: B
A patient taking an antipsychotic develops fever, severe muscle rigidity,
altered mental status, and autonomic instability. Which potentially life-
threatening reaction should be suspected?
A. Serotonin syndrome
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Hypertensive crisis
D. Acute dystonia only
Answer: B
A patient begins an atypical antipsychotic and subsequently develops
substantial weight gain, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. Which
adverse-effect category requires particular monitoring?
A. Metabolic syndrome
B. Cholinergic toxicity
C. Hemolytic anemia
D. Renal tubular acidosis
