NR 546 WEEK 2 ADVANCED
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
(LATEST ), (A+ GUARANTEE).
1. A patient is prescribed a medication that acts as a partial agonist at the D2 receptor. How
does this medication behave in an environment with high endogenous dopamine levels?
A. It acts as a competitive antagonist, lowering the overall signal.
B. It acts as a full agonist to maximize response.
C. It increases the affinity of the endogenous dopamine.
D. It causes a permanent down-regulation of the receptors.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A partial agonist acts as an antagonist in the presence of high
levels of a full agonist (endogenous dopamine) by competing for the receptor but providing
a lower level of biological response.
2. Which dopaminergic pathway is primarily associated with the development of
Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) when D2 receptors are blocked?
A. Nigrostriatal pathway
B. Mesocortical pathway
,C. Mesolimbic pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Nigrostriatal pathway controls motor function; blockade of
D2 receptors in this pathway leads to EPS like dystonia, parkinsonism, and akathisia.
3. Blockade of which receptor is most likely to cause significant weight gain and sedation in
patients taking atypical antipsychotics?
A. Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor
B. Histamine H1 receptor
C. Muscarinic M1 receptor
D. 5-HT2C receptor
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: H1 antagonism is strongly linked to sedation and weight gain,
often compounded by 5-HT2C antagonism.
4. What is the primary mechanism of action of SSRIs in treating depressive disorders?
A. Inhibition of the Serotonin Transporter (SERT)
B. Antagonism of 5-HT2A receptors
C. Inhibition of Monoamine Oxidase B
, D. Agonism of the 5-HT1A presynaptic autoreceptor
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: SSRIs primarily inhibit the Serotonin Transporter (SERT),
leading to increased serotonin availability in the synaptic cleft.
5. Which cytochrome P450 enzyme is notably inhibited by fluoxetine and paroxetine,
potentially leading to increased levels of TCAs?
A. CYP2D6
B. CYP1A2
C. CYP3A4
D. CYP2C19
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Fluoxetine and paroxetine are potent inhibitors of CYP2D6,
which metabolizes many psychotropic drugs, including tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).
6. A patient taking a MAOI consumes aged cheese and wine and experiences a hypertensive
crisis. This is due to the accumulation of which substance?
A. Tryptophan
B. Tyrosine
C. Phenylalanine
D. Tyramine
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
(LATEST ), (A+ GUARANTEE).
1. A patient is prescribed a medication that acts as a partial agonist at the D2 receptor. How
does this medication behave in an environment with high endogenous dopamine levels?
A. It acts as a competitive antagonist, lowering the overall signal.
B. It acts as a full agonist to maximize response.
C. It increases the affinity of the endogenous dopamine.
D. It causes a permanent down-regulation of the receptors.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A partial agonist acts as an antagonist in the presence of high
levels of a full agonist (endogenous dopamine) by competing for the receptor but providing
a lower level of biological response.
2. Which dopaminergic pathway is primarily associated with the development of
Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) when D2 receptors are blocked?
A. Nigrostriatal pathway
B. Mesocortical pathway
,C. Mesolimbic pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Nigrostriatal pathway controls motor function; blockade of
D2 receptors in this pathway leads to EPS like dystonia, parkinsonism, and akathisia.
3. Blockade of which receptor is most likely to cause significant weight gain and sedation in
patients taking atypical antipsychotics?
A. Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor
B. Histamine H1 receptor
C. Muscarinic M1 receptor
D. 5-HT2C receptor
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: H1 antagonism is strongly linked to sedation and weight gain,
often compounded by 5-HT2C antagonism.
4. What is the primary mechanism of action of SSRIs in treating depressive disorders?
A. Inhibition of the Serotonin Transporter (SERT)
B. Antagonism of 5-HT2A receptors
C. Inhibition of Monoamine Oxidase B
, D. Agonism of the 5-HT1A presynaptic autoreceptor
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: SSRIs primarily inhibit the Serotonin Transporter (SERT),
leading to increased serotonin availability in the synaptic cleft.
5. Which cytochrome P450 enzyme is notably inhibited by fluoxetine and paroxetine,
potentially leading to increased levels of TCAs?
A. CYP2D6
B. CYP1A2
C. CYP3A4
D. CYP2C19
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Fluoxetine and paroxetine are potent inhibitors of CYP2D6,
which metabolizes many psychotropic drugs, including tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).
6. A patient taking a MAOI consumes aged cheese and wine and experiences a hypertensive
crisis. This is due to the accumulation of which substance?
A. Tryptophan
B. Tyrosine
C. Phenylalanine
D. Tyramine
