Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology
Neuroscientific Basis and Practical Applications
5th Edition
Author(s)Stephen M. Stahl
TEST BANK
1. Neurotransmission Core Principles
Reference: Chapter 1, Chemical Neurotransmission
Question Stem:
A nursing student asks, "Why is chemical neurotransmission
considered the foundation of psychopharmacology?" Which
response by the instructor is most accurate?
Options:
• A. It explains how electrical impulses are generated within
neurons.
• B. It describes the process by which genes influence
medication metabolism.
• C. It represents the primary mechanism through which
drugs, disorders, and behaviors impact central nervous
system function.
, • D. It details the structural anatomy of brain regions
affected by psychiatric illnesses.
Correct Answer: C
Rationales:
• Correct C: Chemical neurotransmission forms the essential
foundation because understanding how neurotransmitters
carry signals between neurons allows clinicians to
comprehend drug actions, disease mechanisms, and
behavioral outcomes in mental health conditions .
• Incorrect A: While electrical impulses (action potentials)
are important for neuronal activation, they occur within a
neuron. Psychopharmacology primarily focuses on
the chemical communication between neurons, which is
where most drugs exert their effects.
• Incorrect B: Pharmacogenetics, which explores how genes
influence drug metabolism, is a related but distinct field. It
is not the core principle that defines the entire basis of
psychopharmacology.
• Incorrect D: Neuroanatomy is crucial for localization of
function, but chemical neurotransmission explains the
functional processes that occur within these anatomical
structures, making it the more fundamental concept for
understanding drug action.
,Teaching Point: Chemical neurotransmission is the fundamental
language of psychopharmacology, explaining how drugs and
diseases alter brain function.
Citation: Chapter 1, Chemical Neurotransmission
2. Neurotransmitter Lifecycle
Reference: Chapter 1, Chemical Neurotransmission
Question Stem:
Which sequence correctly describes the fundamental lifecycle
of a neurotransmitter?
Options:
• A. Release → Reception → Inactivation/Reuptake →
Synthesis → Storage
• B. Synthesis → Storage → Release → Reception →
Inactivation/Reuptake
• C. Storage → Synthesis → Release → Reception →
Inactivation/Reuptake
• D. Reception → Synthesis → Storage → Release →
Inactivation/Reuptake
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct B: The classic neurotransmitter lifecycle begins
with synthesis, followed by storage in vesicles, release into
the synapse, reception by postsynaptic receptors, and
, finally termination of the signal via inactivation or
reuptake. This sequence is central to understanding
synaptic function .
• Incorrect A: Release cannot occur first without the
neurotransmitter first being synthesized and stored.
• Incorrect C: Synthesis must precede storage, as the
neurotransmitter must be created before it can be
packaged.
• Incorrect D: Reception is a downstream event that occurs
only after the neurotransmitter has been synthesized,
stored, and released.
Teaching Point: Mastering the neurotransmitter lifecycle
sequence is essential for predicting drug effects on synaptic
function.
Citation: Chapter 1, Chemical Neurotransmission
3. Pharmacological Target
Reference: Chapter 1, Chemical Neurotransmission
Question Stem:
A patient is prescribed a psychotropic medication that acts
primarily in the synaptic cleft. The nurse understands that this
drug is most likely targeting which of the following?
Options:
• A. The neuron's nuclear DNA
Neuroscientific Basis and Practical Applications
5th Edition
Author(s)Stephen M. Stahl
TEST BANK
1. Neurotransmission Core Principles
Reference: Chapter 1, Chemical Neurotransmission
Question Stem:
A nursing student asks, "Why is chemical neurotransmission
considered the foundation of psychopharmacology?" Which
response by the instructor is most accurate?
Options:
• A. It explains how electrical impulses are generated within
neurons.
• B. It describes the process by which genes influence
medication metabolism.
• C. It represents the primary mechanism through which
drugs, disorders, and behaviors impact central nervous
system function.
, • D. It details the structural anatomy of brain regions
affected by psychiatric illnesses.
Correct Answer: C
Rationales:
• Correct C: Chemical neurotransmission forms the essential
foundation because understanding how neurotransmitters
carry signals between neurons allows clinicians to
comprehend drug actions, disease mechanisms, and
behavioral outcomes in mental health conditions .
• Incorrect A: While electrical impulses (action potentials)
are important for neuronal activation, they occur within a
neuron. Psychopharmacology primarily focuses on
the chemical communication between neurons, which is
where most drugs exert their effects.
• Incorrect B: Pharmacogenetics, which explores how genes
influence drug metabolism, is a related but distinct field. It
is not the core principle that defines the entire basis of
psychopharmacology.
• Incorrect D: Neuroanatomy is crucial for localization of
function, but chemical neurotransmission explains the
functional processes that occur within these anatomical
structures, making it the more fundamental concept for
understanding drug action.
,Teaching Point: Chemical neurotransmission is the fundamental
language of psychopharmacology, explaining how drugs and
diseases alter brain function.
Citation: Chapter 1, Chemical Neurotransmission
2. Neurotransmitter Lifecycle
Reference: Chapter 1, Chemical Neurotransmission
Question Stem:
Which sequence correctly describes the fundamental lifecycle
of a neurotransmitter?
Options:
• A. Release → Reception → Inactivation/Reuptake →
Synthesis → Storage
• B. Synthesis → Storage → Release → Reception →
Inactivation/Reuptake
• C. Storage → Synthesis → Release → Reception →
Inactivation/Reuptake
• D. Reception → Synthesis → Storage → Release →
Inactivation/Reuptake
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct B: The classic neurotransmitter lifecycle begins
with synthesis, followed by storage in vesicles, release into
the synapse, reception by postsynaptic receptors, and
, finally termination of the signal via inactivation or
reuptake. This sequence is central to understanding
synaptic function .
• Incorrect A: Release cannot occur first without the
neurotransmitter first being synthesized and stored.
• Incorrect C: Synthesis must precede storage, as the
neurotransmitter must be created before it can be
packaged.
• Incorrect D: Reception is a downstream event that occurs
only after the neurotransmitter has been synthesized,
stored, and released.
Teaching Point: Mastering the neurotransmitter lifecycle
sequence is essential for predicting drug effects on synaptic
function.
Citation: Chapter 1, Chemical Neurotransmission
3. Pharmacological Target
Reference: Chapter 1, Chemical Neurotransmission
Question Stem:
A patient is prescribed a psychotropic medication that acts
primarily in the synaptic cleft. The nurse understands that this
drug is most likely targeting which of the following?
Options:
• A. The neuron's nuclear DNA
