PMHNP Psychopharmacology – Exam 2 – Nurse
Practitioner Program – Detailed Q&A Review on
Neurotransmitters and Substance Use
This study guide covers 50 multiple-choice questions and answers for the second
psychopharmacology exam in a PMHNP (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner) program. It includes detailed content on catecholamine and serotonin
systems, acetylcholine synthesis, GABA and glutamate functions, and mechanisms of
addiction and alcohol dependence. The questions are clinically oriented and tied to
pharmacological mechanisms relevant to psychiatric practice.
1. The rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of catecholamines is
a. Tyrosine hydroxylase
b. aromatic acid decarboxylase
c. dopamine B- hydroxlase
d. DOPA: a. Tryosine hydroxylase
2. 2. Activation of terminal autoreceptors inhibits dopamine release by
a. increasing Cl- entry into the terminal.
b. decreasing Ca2+ entry into the terminal.
c. preventing reuptake into vesicles.
, d. decreasing Na+ entry into the terminal.: B. Decreasing Ca 2+ entry into the
terminal
3. 3. _______ and _______ exert their pharmacological effects by blocking
monoamine reuptake.
a. Cocaine; phenelzine
b. Cocaine; tricyclic antidepressants
c. Clonidine; tricyclic antidepressants
d. Clonidine; yohimbine: B. Cocaine; tricyclic antidepressants
4. 4. The dopamine pathway most important for regulating movement is the
_______ pathway.
a. nigrostriatal
b. mesocortical
c. mesolimbic
d. tuberohypophyseal: A. Nigrostriatal
5. 5. A commonly used dopamine receptor agonist is _______, which is now
being used to treat _______.
a. apomorphine; schizophrenia
b. apomorphine; erectile dysfunction
c. haloperidol; cocaine addiction
d. quinpirole; schizophrenia: B. haloperidol; cocaine addiction
6. 6. Dopaminergic cell bodies are found primarily in the _______, while
adrenergic cell bodies are found in the _______.
Practitioner Program – Detailed Q&A Review on
Neurotransmitters and Substance Use
This study guide covers 50 multiple-choice questions and answers for the second
psychopharmacology exam in a PMHNP (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner) program. It includes detailed content on catecholamine and serotonin
systems, acetylcholine synthesis, GABA and glutamate functions, and mechanisms of
addiction and alcohol dependence. The questions are clinically oriented and tied to
pharmacological mechanisms relevant to psychiatric practice.
1. The rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of catecholamines is
a. Tyrosine hydroxylase
b. aromatic acid decarboxylase
c. dopamine B- hydroxlase
d. DOPA: a. Tryosine hydroxylase
2. 2. Activation of terminal autoreceptors inhibits dopamine release by
a. increasing Cl- entry into the terminal.
b. decreasing Ca2+ entry into the terminal.
c. preventing reuptake into vesicles.
, d. decreasing Na+ entry into the terminal.: B. Decreasing Ca 2+ entry into the
terminal
3. 3. _______ and _______ exert their pharmacological effects by blocking
monoamine reuptake.
a. Cocaine; phenelzine
b. Cocaine; tricyclic antidepressants
c. Clonidine; tricyclic antidepressants
d. Clonidine; yohimbine: B. Cocaine; tricyclic antidepressants
4. 4. The dopamine pathway most important for regulating movement is the
_______ pathway.
a. nigrostriatal
b. mesocortical
c. mesolimbic
d. tuberohypophyseal: A. Nigrostriatal
5. 5. A commonly used dopamine receptor agonist is _______, which is now
being used to treat _______.
a. apomorphine; schizophrenia
b. apomorphine; erectile dysfunction
c. haloperidol; cocaine addiction
d. quinpirole; schizophrenia: B. haloperidol; cocaine addiction
6. 6. Dopaminergic cell bodies are found primarily in the _______, while
adrenergic cell bodies are found in the _______.
