NR 546 Midterm Exam Study Guide
Midterm Exam
Review the weekly Explore section content and required readings as noted within your Student Lesson Plan for
Learning Success. Review the Tables you have completed. Each week will 17-18 questions.
Week Functional neuroanatomy- brain anatomy and physiology covered in both the course Explore
1 section and readings. If a particular area of the brain is affected, what is the expected response.
Focus on those within the Explore section and your readings.
Ethical issues- covered in both the course Explore section and readings
Epigenetics- covered in both the course Explore section and readings. Why is epigenetics
important? Hoe does epigenetics impact a person’s mental health?
Genetics-CYP 450 impact discussed in course Explore section. How does the CYP450 affect
pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics?
Incidence of mental illness-what factors are increasing the incidence? This is covered in course
Explore section
Week CYP450-how this affects metabolism. Review Stahl Ch 2 .
2 Inducers & Inhibitors- review Stahl p.49. How does an inhibitor or inducer affect medication
efficacy? Note the most common inhibitors and inducers noted in your Stahl readings. You will
see these mentioned on boards. Make sure to review carbamazepine. Is this medication an
inhibitor or an inducer? How does combining carbamazepine with another medication affect
your prescribing? Are dose adjustments necessary?
Agonists/Antagonists (full, partial, reverse)- know definitions, be able to apply this to a clinical
, situation. Think about how this is applied clinically. For example- if a medication is an agonist,
how does that affect transmission. Review Stahl’s agonist spectrum section. Review the figures
regarding agonists.
Neurotransmission- covered in both the course Explore section and readings
Week Dopamine pathways-know the four pathways, the functions, and adverse effects. If given a
3 scenario with an adverse effect, you should be able to select the responsible pathway.
FGA/SGA-know the risks and benefits of each class including affected neurotransmitters,
adverse effects. Which medication class is first line? Which medication is associated with higher
incidence of EPS or metabolic side effects?
Medications-know most common benefits, adverse effects, black box warnings and specialized
testing for these medications. Be able to select a medication based on its profile (i.e., lowest
weight gain, cardiometabolic risk, etc. ) . Review your completed antipsychotic table for the
next section:
Medications-know indication, mechanism of action, adverse and starting dosing of the
medications on your table.
NMS, tardive dyskinesia, akathisia, acute dystonia- signs, symptoms, and treatment
Week Benzodiazepines- appropriate prescribing practices, review the risks and benefits of
4 prescribing. Which benzo is safe in lactation? Know recommended length of treatment and
how to wean. Review diversion prevention practices.
Pathophysiology of Fear and worry-know what areas of the brain and which neurotransmitters
are affected
GAD treatment- recommended actions for efficacy
PTSD- which medication is FDA approved
OCD approved treatments. Which medication is first line?
Lifespan considerations- which medications are appropriate for the elderly? Which
medications should be avoided in the elderly? In lactation?
Medications-know indication, mechanism of action, adverse and starting dosing of the
Midterm Exam
Review the weekly Explore section content and required readings as noted within your Student Lesson Plan for
Learning Success. Review the Tables you have completed. Each week will 17-18 questions.
Week Functional neuroanatomy- brain anatomy and physiology covered in both the course Explore
1 section and readings. If a particular area of the brain is affected, what is the expected response.
Focus on those within the Explore section and your readings.
Ethical issues- covered in both the course Explore section and readings
Epigenetics- covered in both the course Explore section and readings. Why is epigenetics
important? Hoe does epigenetics impact a person’s mental health?
Genetics-CYP 450 impact discussed in course Explore section. How does the CYP450 affect
pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics?
Incidence of mental illness-what factors are increasing the incidence? This is covered in course
Explore section
Week CYP450-how this affects metabolism. Review Stahl Ch 2 .
2 Inducers & Inhibitors- review Stahl p.49. How does an inhibitor or inducer affect medication
efficacy? Note the most common inhibitors and inducers noted in your Stahl readings. You will
see these mentioned on boards. Make sure to review carbamazepine. Is this medication an
inhibitor or an inducer? How does combining carbamazepine with another medication affect
your prescribing? Are dose adjustments necessary?
Agonists/Antagonists (full, partial, reverse)- know definitions, be able to apply this to a clinical
, situation. Think about how this is applied clinically. For example- if a medication is an agonist,
how does that affect transmission. Review Stahl’s agonist spectrum section. Review the figures
regarding agonists.
Neurotransmission- covered in both the course Explore section and readings
Week Dopamine pathways-know the four pathways, the functions, and adverse effects. If given a
3 scenario with an adverse effect, you should be able to select the responsible pathway.
FGA/SGA-know the risks and benefits of each class including affected neurotransmitters,
adverse effects. Which medication class is first line? Which medication is associated with higher
incidence of EPS or metabolic side effects?
Medications-know most common benefits, adverse effects, black box warnings and specialized
testing for these medications. Be able to select a medication based on its profile (i.e., lowest
weight gain, cardiometabolic risk, etc. ) . Review your completed antipsychotic table for the
next section:
Medications-know indication, mechanism of action, adverse and starting dosing of the
medications on your table.
NMS, tardive dyskinesia, akathisia, acute dystonia- signs, symptoms, and treatment
Week Benzodiazepines- appropriate prescribing practices, review the risks and benefits of
4 prescribing. Which benzo is safe in lactation? Know recommended length of treatment and
how to wean. Review diversion prevention practices.
Pathophysiology of Fear and worry-know what areas of the brain and which neurotransmitters
are affected
GAD treatment- recommended actions for efficacy
PTSD- which medication is FDA approved
OCD approved treatments. Which medication is first line?
Lifespan considerations- which medications are appropriate for the elderly? Which
medications should be avoided in the elderly? In lactation?
Medications-know indication, mechanism of action, adverse and starting dosing of the
