NRNP 6635 COMPREHENSIVE
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND
DIAGNOSIS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
100% VERIFIED BY EXPERTS. 2026/2027
1. Which neurotransmitter pathway is primarily associated with the development of positive
symptoms in schizophrenia?
A. Mesocortical pathway
B. Nigrostriatal pathway
C. Mesolimbic pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Overactivity in the mesolimbic dopamine pathway is thought to
mediate the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions.
2. A patient taking Clozapine presents with a fever, sore throat, and malaise. Which
laboratory test is the most critical to perform immediately?
A. Complete Blood Count (CBC) with differential
B. Serum Creatinine
C. Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
,D. Fast Blood Glucose
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a black box warning for agranulocytosis. A CBC
with differential is required to check the Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC).
3. What is the primary mechanism of action for Second-Generation Antipsychotics (SGAs) that
distinguishes them from First-Generation Antipsychotics (FGAs)?
A. Strong D2 receptor antagonism only
B. Potent 5-HT2A receptor antagonism and D2 antagonism
C. GABA modulation
D. Selective Norepinephrine reuptake inhibition
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: SGAs are characterized by their serotonin-dopamine
antagonism, specifically high 5-HT2A affinity relative to D2 affinity, which reduces the risk
of EPS.
4. Which of the following antidepressants is contraindicated in patients with a history of
seizure disorders or eating disorders?
A. Sertraline
B. Venlafaxine
C. Mirtazapine
, D. Bupropion
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold and is specifically
contraindicated in patients with bulimia or anorexia due to increased seizure risk.
5. A 28-year-old male patient on Lithium for Bipolar I Disorder reports tremors, ataxia, and
blurred vision. His serum lithium level is 1.8 mEq/L. What is the priority intervention?
A. Continue the current dose and recheck in one week
B. Increase fluid intake and decrease sodium
C. Hold the dose and assess for lithium toxicity
D. Switch the patient to Valproate immediately
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Lithium levels above 1.5 mEq/L are considered toxic. Symptoms
like ataxia and tremors are early signs of toxicity requiring the drug to be held.
6. Which brain region is primarily responsible for the ‘fear circuitry’ and is hyperactive in
Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
A. Hippocampus
B. Prefrontal Cortex
C. Amygdala
D. Basal Ganglia
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND
DIAGNOSIS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
100% VERIFIED BY EXPERTS. 2026/2027
1. Which neurotransmitter pathway is primarily associated with the development of positive
symptoms in schizophrenia?
A. Mesocortical pathway
B. Nigrostriatal pathway
C. Mesolimbic pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Overactivity in the mesolimbic dopamine pathway is thought to
mediate the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions.
2. A patient taking Clozapine presents with a fever, sore throat, and malaise. Which
laboratory test is the most critical to perform immediately?
A. Complete Blood Count (CBC) with differential
B. Serum Creatinine
C. Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
,D. Fast Blood Glucose
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a black box warning for agranulocytosis. A CBC
with differential is required to check the Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC).
3. What is the primary mechanism of action for Second-Generation Antipsychotics (SGAs) that
distinguishes them from First-Generation Antipsychotics (FGAs)?
A. Strong D2 receptor antagonism only
B. Potent 5-HT2A receptor antagonism and D2 antagonism
C. GABA modulation
D. Selective Norepinephrine reuptake inhibition
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: SGAs are characterized by their serotonin-dopamine
antagonism, specifically high 5-HT2A affinity relative to D2 affinity, which reduces the risk
of EPS.
4. Which of the following antidepressants is contraindicated in patients with a history of
seizure disorders or eating disorders?
A. Sertraline
B. Venlafaxine
C. Mirtazapine
, D. Bupropion
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold and is specifically
contraindicated in patients with bulimia or anorexia due to increased seizure risk.
5. A 28-year-old male patient on Lithium for Bipolar I Disorder reports tremors, ataxia, and
blurred vision. His serum lithium level is 1.8 mEq/L. What is the priority intervention?
A. Continue the current dose and recheck in one week
B. Increase fluid intake and decrease sodium
C. Hold the dose and assess for lithium toxicity
D. Switch the patient to Valproate immediately
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Lithium levels above 1.5 mEq/L are considered toxic. Symptoms
like ataxia and tremors are early signs of toxicity requiring the drug to be held.
6. Which brain region is primarily responsible for the ‘fear circuitry’ and is hyperactive in
Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
A. Hippocampus
B. Prefrontal Cortex
C. Amygdala
D. Basal Ganglia
