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NSG 552 Psychopharmacology Exam 1 |
Wilkes University | 2025/2026 Actual
Questions and Verified Correct Answers |
Advanced Practice Psychopharmacology
General principles of psychopharmacological treatment - (ANSWER)Safety,
Tolerability, Efficacy, Practicality, Treatment accessibility, Treatment compliance
Pharmacokinetics - (ANSWER)How the drug moves in the body. (ex. Where is it
absorbed? How and where is it metabolized? Where is it excreted?)
Pharmacodynamics - (ANSWER)What the drug does to the body. (consider
mechanism of action)
First-generation antipsychotics - (ANSWER)Referred to as Typical Antipsychotics.
Most have strong bond with D2 receptors only, cause EPS symptoms faster due to
prolonged receptor dissociation, have more dangerous side effect profiles, have
been around longer, more effective at treating positive symptoms, less expensive.
(Ex. Haloperidol, Chlorpromazine, Thioridazine, Fluphenazine)
Second-generation antipsychotics - (ANSWER)Referred to as Atypical
Antipsychotics. Most have a weak bond with D2 receptors and block serotonin
receptors leading to anti-depressive and anxiolytic effects. They cause less EPS
due to rapid receptor disassociation which leads to rapid dopamine
neurotransmission. Have less dangerous side effect profiles but can cause
metabolic syndromes, have been around shorter time, more expensive, more
effective at treating negative symptoms but can treat positive symptoms as well,
, 2
long-acting injections available for several of these. (Ex. Risperidone, Clozapine,
Quetiapine, Aripiprazole, Ziprasidone)
Extra Pyramidal Symptoms (EPS) - (ANSWER)Side effects caused by certain
antipsychotic medications, which include: involuntary or uncontrollable
movements, tremors, muscle contractions.
Tardive dyskinesia - (ANSWER)A neurological disorder characterized by
involuntary movement of the face and jaw.
Upregulation - (ANSWER)Occurs through chronic use of antagonists which causes
an increase in the number of receptors, externalization of receptors, and
increased sensitivity of the receptors. Prolonged use of antagonist -> Up-
regulation of receptors -> Sudden withdrawal of antagonist -> increased number
of receptors and increased sensitivity of receptors. *YOU MUST GRADUALLY
TAPER A DRUG TO AVOID BINDING TO ALL NEW RECEPTORS FROM
UPREGULATION.
Down regulation - (ANSWER)Occurs by chronic exposure of agonists which causes
decreased number of receptors, internalization of receptors, and decreased
sensitivity of the receptors. Prolonged use of agonist -> down-regulation of
receptors -> decreased effectiveness of agonist mediated clinical response. You
have two options: 1 Increase the drug dose OR 2 Switch to another drug (BEST
OPTION).
Receptor profile - (ANSWER)The receptors that each drug binds to (example,
risperidone's receptor profile would like... (a) Blockade of 5HT2A and D2
receptors (b) High affinity for a1, a2, and H1 receptors).
, 3
Binding - (ANSWER)Refers to a drug metabolite or neurotransmitter attaching to
a receptor.
Affinity - (ANSWER)Refers to the 'preference' or likelihood of a drug to bind to a
certain receptor. Linked to potency.
CYP450 - (ANSWER)A group of enzymes in the liver that metabolize different
drugs. There are six.
CYP450 Enzymes - (ANSWER)A family of enzymes involved in drug metabolism.
CYP1A2 - (ANSWER)Metabolizes Acetaminophen.
CYP2B6 - (ANSWER)Metabolizes artemisinin, bupropion, cyclophosphamide,
efavirenz, ketamine, and methadone.
CYP2C9 - (ANSWER)Metabolizes Warfarin/Coumadin.
CYP2C19 - (ANSWER)Metabolizes PPIs, antidepressants, antiplatelet, antifungals,
and anticancer drugs.
CYP2D6 - (ANSWER)Metabolizes cardiovascular drugs.
NSG 552 Psychopharmacology Exam 1 |
Wilkes University | 2025/2026 Actual
Questions and Verified Correct Answers |
Advanced Practice Psychopharmacology
General principles of psychopharmacological treatment - (ANSWER)Safety,
Tolerability, Efficacy, Practicality, Treatment accessibility, Treatment compliance
Pharmacokinetics - (ANSWER)How the drug moves in the body. (ex. Where is it
absorbed? How and where is it metabolized? Where is it excreted?)
Pharmacodynamics - (ANSWER)What the drug does to the body. (consider
mechanism of action)
First-generation antipsychotics - (ANSWER)Referred to as Typical Antipsychotics.
Most have strong bond with D2 receptors only, cause EPS symptoms faster due to
prolonged receptor dissociation, have more dangerous side effect profiles, have
been around longer, more effective at treating positive symptoms, less expensive.
(Ex. Haloperidol, Chlorpromazine, Thioridazine, Fluphenazine)
Second-generation antipsychotics - (ANSWER)Referred to as Atypical
Antipsychotics. Most have a weak bond with D2 receptors and block serotonin
receptors leading to anti-depressive and anxiolytic effects. They cause less EPS
due to rapid receptor disassociation which leads to rapid dopamine
neurotransmission. Have less dangerous side effect profiles but can cause
metabolic syndromes, have been around shorter time, more expensive, more
effective at treating negative symptoms but can treat positive symptoms as well,
, 2
long-acting injections available for several of these. (Ex. Risperidone, Clozapine,
Quetiapine, Aripiprazole, Ziprasidone)
Extra Pyramidal Symptoms (EPS) - (ANSWER)Side effects caused by certain
antipsychotic medications, which include: involuntary or uncontrollable
movements, tremors, muscle contractions.
Tardive dyskinesia - (ANSWER)A neurological disorder characterized by
involuntary movement of the face and jaw.
Upregulation - (ANSWER)Occurs through chronic use of antagonists which causes
an increase in the number of receptors, externalization of receptors, and
increased sensitivity of the receptors. Prolonged use of antagonist -> Up-
regulation of receptors -> Sudden withdrawal of antagonist -> increased number
of receptors and increased sensitivity of receptors. *YOU MUST GRADUALLY
TAPER A DRUG TO AVOID BINDING TO ALL NEW RECEPTORS FROM
UPREGULATION.
Down regulation - (ANSWER)Occurs by chronic exposure of agonists which causes
decreased number of receptors, internalization of receptors, and decreased
sensitivity of the receptors. Prolonged use of agonist -> down-regulation of
receptors -> decreased effectiveness of agonist mediated clinical response. You
have two options: 1 Increase the drug dose OR 2 Switch to another drug (BEST
OPTION).
Receptor profile - (ANSWER)The receptors that each drug binds to (example,
risperidone's receptor profile would like... (a) Blockade of 5HT2A and D2
receptors (b) High affinity for a1, a2, and H1 receptors).
, 3
Binding - (ANSWER)Refers to a drug metabolite or neurotransmitter attaching to
a receptor.
Affinity - (ANSWER)Refers to the 'preference' or likelihood of a drug to bind to a
certain receptor. Linked to potency.
CYP450 - (ANSWER)A group of enzymes in the liver that metabolize different
drugs. There are six.
CYP450 Enzymes - (ANSWER)A family of enzymes involved in drug metabolism.
CYP1A2 - (ANSWER)Metabolizes Acetaminophen.
CYP2B6 - (ANSWER)Metabolizes artemisinin, bupropion, cyclophosphamide,
efavirenz, ketamine, and methadone.
CYP2C9 - (ANSWER)Metabolizes Warfarin/Coumadin.
CYP2C19 - (ANSWER)Metabolizes PPIs, antidepressants, antiplatelet, antifungals,
and anticancer drugs.
CYP2D6 - (ANSWER)Metabolizes cardiovascular drugs.
