NU578 Exam 2 Practice Questions & Answers
(Verified Updated)
This comprehensive study guide covers the core domains tested
on NU578 Exam 2, aligned with the 2026–2027 curriculum. It
includes original practice questions with detailed rationales,
organized by topic: Nervous System Agents, Psychotropic
Therapies, and Opioid Safety.
Section 1: Nervous System Agents
Q1. Which drug acts by decreasing axonal conduction?
A. Citalopram (Celexa), an antidepressant
B. Lidocaine (Xylocaine), a local anesthetic
C. Morphine (Duramorph), a pain reliever
D. Halothane (Fluothane), a general anesthetic
Answer: B
Rationale: Local anesthetics are neuropharmacologic agents
that act by decreasing axonal conduction. Most
neuropharmacologic agents act by altering synaptic
transmission. Lidocaine is a classic example of a drug that
decreases axonal conduction.
Q2. How does diphenhydramine (Benadryl) work?
A. Preventing mast cells from releasing histamine
,B. Preventing axonal conduction
C. Binding to histamine receptors, preventing receptor
activation
D. Acting as an agonist to H1 histamine receptors
Answer: C
Rationale: Diphenhydramine binds to histamine receptors and
prevents their activation, similar to naloxone and propranolol.
Q3. What is receptor activation?
A. An effect that causes the physiologic process to speed up
B. An effect that mimics the natural neurotransmitter for that
receptor
C. An effect that improves the function of the receptor
D. An effect that causes the receptor to be more sensitive
Answer: B
Rationale: Receptor activation is an effect on receptor function
equivalent to that produced by the natural neurotransmitter at
a particular synapse.
Q4. What is the advantage of having multiple types of receptors
to regulate bodily functions?
A. Improved maximal efficacy
B. Reduction of side effects and toxicity
C. Higher degree of selectivity
D. Lower therapeutic index
,Answer: C
Rationale: Selectivity is one of the most desirable qualities a
drug can have. Many neuropharmacologic drugs are highly
selective because the nervous system works through multiple
receptors.
Q5. What is the most significant adverse effect of botulinum
toxin?
A. Sedation
B. Internal bleeding
C. Respiratory failure
D. Increased risk for infection
Answer: C
Rationale: Botulinum toxin blocks the release of acetylcholine
by the neuron that controls skeletal muscles, which paralyzes
the respiratory muscles causing respiratory failure.
Q6. What is the mechanism of action of Scopolamine
(Transdermscop)?
A. Beta-2 agonist
B. ACh antagonist (anticholinergic)
C. Alpha-1 agonist
D. Dopamine antagonist
Answer: B
Rationale: Scopolamine is an ACh antagonist (anticholinergic)
used for motion sickness.
, Q7. What is Dicyclomine (Bentyl) used for?
A. Motion sickness
B. Irritable bowel
C. Parkinson's disease
D. Overactive bladder
Answer: B
Rationale: Dicyclomine (Bentyl) is an ACh antagonist used for
irritable bowel.
Q8. What is the treatment for anticholinergic (antimuscarinic)
poisoning?
A. Atropine
B. Physostigmine
C. Naloxone
D. Flumazenil
Answer: B
Rationale: Physostigmine is used for the treatment of
anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) poisoning. Activated charcoal is
also used to decrease intestinal absorption.
Q9. What is Succinylcholine (Anectine)?
A. A depolarizing neuromuscular blocker
B. A non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocker
C. An anticholinergic
D. A beta-blocker
(Verified Updated)
This comprehensive study guide covers the core domains tested
on NU578 Exam 2, aligned with the 2026–2027 curriculum. It
includes original practice questions with detailed rationales,
organized by topic: Nervous System Agents, Psychotropic
Therapies, and Opioid Safety.
Section 1: Nervous System Agents
Q1. Which drug acts by decreasing axonal conduction?
A. Citalopram (Celexa), an antidepressant
B. Lidocaine (Xylocaine), a local anesthetic
C. Morphine (Duramorph), a pain reliever
D. Halothane (Fluothane), a general anesthetic
Answer: B
Rationale: Local anesthetics are neuropharmacologic agents
that act by decreasing axonal conduction. Most
neuropharmacologic agents act by altering synaptic
transmission. Lidocaine is a classic example of a drug that
decreases axonal conduction.
Q2. How does diphenhydramine (Benadryl) work?
A. Preventing mast cells from releasing histamine
,B. Preventing axonal conduction
C. Binding to histamine receptors, preventing receptor
activation
D. Acting as an agonist to H1 histamine receptors
Answer: C
Rationale: Diphenhydramine binds to histamine receptors and
prevents their activation, similar to naloxone and propranolol.
Q3. What is receptor activation?
A. An effect that causes the physiologic process to speed up
B. An effect that mimics the natural neurotransmitter for that
receptor
C. An effect that improves the function of the receptor
D. An effect that causes the receptor to be more sensitive
Answer: B
Rationale: Receptor activation is an effect on receptor function
equivalent to that produced by the natural neurotransmitter at
a particular synapse.
Q4. What is the advantage of having multiple types of receptors
to regulate bodily functions?
A. Improved maximal efficacy
B. Reduction of side effects and toxicity
C. Higher degree of selectivity
D. Lower therapeutic index
,Answer: C
Rationale: Selectivity is one of the most desirable qualities a
drug can have. Many neuropharmacologic drugs are highly
selective because the nervous system works through multiple
receptors.
Q5. What is the most significant adverse effect of botulinum
toxin?
A. Sedation
B. Internal bleeding
C. Respiratory failure
D. Increased risk for infection
Answer: C
Rationale: Botulinum toxin blocks the release of acetylcholine
by the neuron that controls skeletal muscles, which paralyzes
the respiratory muscles causing respiratory failure.
Q6. What is the mechanism of action of Scopolamine
(Transdermscop)?
A. Beta-2 agonist
B. ACh antagonist (anticholinergic)
C. Alpha-1 agonist
D. Dopamine antagonist
Answer: B
Rationale: Scopolamine is an ACh antagonist (anticholinergic)
used for motion sickness.
, Q7. What is Dicyclomine (Bentyl) used for?
A. Motion sickness
B. Irritable bowel
C. Parkinson's disease
D. Overactive bladder
Answer: B
Rationale: Dicyclomine (Bentyl) is an ACh antagonist used for
irritable bowel.
Q8. What is the treatment for anticholinergic (antimuscarinic)
poisoning?
A. Atropine
B. Physostigmine
C. Naloxone
D. Flumazenil
Answer: B
Rationale: Physostigmine is used for the treatment of
anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) poisoning. Activated charcoal is
also used to decrease intestinal absorption.
Q9. What is Succinylcholine (Anectine)?
A. A depolarizing neuromuscular blocker
B. A non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocker
C. An anticholinergic
D. A beta-blocker
