Psychopharmacology Final Exam LATEST
Test and Exam question and answers latest
update 2026 RATED A+
nonessential physiological processes shut down (i.e. digestion & reproduction), energy is channeled into
a host of functions preparing for rapid action. - CORRECT ANSWERS When a person or animal
confronts actual (or perceived) danger situations, what neurochemical and hormonal reactions start to
occur?
cortex, amygdala - CORRECT ANSWERS Stressful events are perceived at the __________,
processed at the _______, which then activates lower brain areas & puts the limbic system on alert
norepinephrine - CORRECT ANSWERS when there is imminent danger, a burst of excitation
originates from the locus coeruleus which releases _____________, which results in instantaneous
hypervigilance.
limbic system and hypothalamus by activating the SNS, HTA, or HPA - CORRECT ANSWERS
what is responsible for the release of stress hormones?
chloride - CORRECT ANSWERS _________ ions act as a brake and dampen the limbic alert
benzodiazepines - CORRECT ANSWERS ________ enhance the flow of negative (chloride) ions
which results in widespread calming in may areas of the brain
serotonin - CORRECT ANSWERS excitability in the locus coerulues is also mediated by
_______
inhibitory - CORRECT ANSWERS in the Locus Coeruleus, serotonin is ____________.
activation - CORRECT ANSWERS A decrease in serotonin may impact the locus coeruleus by
making it more disinhibited and more sensitive to ___________.
amygdala - CORRECT ANSWERS Acquired fears appear to be mediated primarily by the
___________.
encodes - CORRECT ANSWERS After very frightening events, the amygdala ________ certain
stimulus events of the experience. These memories are highly resistant to extinction.
serotonin - CORRECT ANSWERS There is speculation that _______ many play a role in
inhibiting cellular reactivity in the amygdala
benzodiazepines, atypical antianxiety (buspirone), SNRIs and SSRIs, andn gabapentin - CORRECT
ANSWERS What are four medication options for treating GAD?
dependence/substance abuse - CORRECT ANSWERS Benzodiazepines can be used to treat
severe cases of GAD, but should not be used if the patient is at risk for ___________
, Buspirone - CORRECT ANSWERS _______ reduces worry and rumination seen in GAD, but it is
not addictive
gabapentin - CORRECT ANSWERS This antiseizure medication is primarily used to treat
anxiety in bipolar disorder
psychotropic medications - CORRECT ANSWERS Specific phobias are generally not treated
with __________________.
beta-blockers - CORRECT ANSWERS what is effective at reducing anxiety surrounding public
speaking?
SSRIs, SNRIs, or MAOIs - CORRECT ANSWERS Pervasive forms social anxiety (and avoidant
personality disorder) may be treated with what three medications?
panic disorder - CORRECT ANSWERS ____________ is the anxiety disorder for which
medication treatment plays its most important role
benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and MAO inhibitors - CORRECT ANSWERS What three
medication classes generally treat panic?
70% - CORRECT ANSWERS ______ of patients have return of panic symptoms if medication is
stopped
GAD, specific phobia, social phobia, agoraphobia without panic - CORRECT ANSWERS What
four anxiety disorders are generally NOT treated with medication unless they are severe or fail to
respond to psychotherapy.
anxiety associated with acute stress, neurotic anxiety - CORRECT ANSWERS Psychotherapy is
the treatment of choice for what two anxiety disorders?
basal ganglia - CORRECT ANSWERS diseases such as encephalitis that selectively damage
areas of the __________ have been shown to result in OCD symptoms.
SSRIs - CORRECT ANSWERS A large number of clinical studies suggest that OCD can be treated
with ________.
serotonin - CORRECT ANSWERS Antidepressants that do not affect _________ are not
effective in treating OCD
SSRI - CORRECT ANSWERS There appears to be an increase in metabolic activity in the
prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia for people with OCD. However, this abnormal metabolic activity is
normalized with patients are treated with an ______.
frontal cortex - CORRECT ANSWERS One theory is that the ___________ works to inhibit the
emergence of primitive instinctual urges, but this does not work in OCD.
Test and Exam question and answers latest
update 2026 RATED A+
nonessential physiological processes shut down (i.e. digestion & reproduction), energy is channeled into
a host of functions preparing for rapid action. - CORRECT ANSWERS When a person or animal
confronts actual (or perceived) danger situations, what neurochemical and hormonal reactions start to
occur?
cortex, amygdala - CORRECT ANSWERS Stressful events are perceived at the __________,
processed at the _______, which then activates lower brain areas & puts the limbic system on alert
norepinephrine - CORRECT ANSWERS when there is imminent danger, a burst of excitation
originates from the locus coeruleus which releases _____________, which results in instantaneous
hypervigilance.
limbic system and hypothalamus by activating the SNS, HTA, or HPA - CORRECT ANSWERS
what is responsible for the release of stress hormones?
chloride - CORRECT ANSWERS _________ ions act as a brake and dampen the limbic alert
benzodiazepines - CORRECT ANSWERS ________ enhance the flow of negative (chloride) ions
which results in widespread calming in may areas of the brain
serotonin - CORRECT ANSWERS excitability in the locus coerulues is also mediated by
_______
inhibitory - CORRECT ANSWERS in the Locus Coeruleus, serotonin is ____________.
activation - CORRECT ANSWERS A decrease in serotonin may impact the locus coeruleus by
making it more disinhibited and more sensitive to ___________.
amygdala - CORRECT ANSWERS Acquired fears appear to be mediated primarily by the
___________.
encodes - CORRECT ANSWERS After very frightening events, the amygdala ________ certain
stimulus events of the experience. These memories are highly resistant to extinction.
serotonin - CORRECT ANSWERS There is speculation that _______ many play a role in
inhibiting cellular reactivity in the amygdala
benzodiazepines, atypical antianxiety (buspirone), SNRIs and SSRIs, andn gabapentin - CORRECT
ANSWERS What are four medication options for treating GAD?
dependence/substance abuse - CORRECT ANSWERS Benzodiazepines can be used to treat
severe cases of GAD, but should not be used if the patient is at risk for ___________
, Buspirone - CORRECT ANSWERS _______ reduces worry and rumination seen in GAD, but it is
not addictive
gabapentin - CORRECT ANSWERS This antiseizure medication is primarily used to treat
anxiety in bipolar disorder
psychotropic medications - CORRECT ANSWERS Specific phobias are generally not treated
with __________________.
beta-blockers - CORRECT ANSWERS what is effective at reducing anxiety surrounding public
speaking?
SSRIs, SNRIs, or MAOIs - CORRECT ANSWERS Pervasive forms social anxiety (and avoidant
personality disorder) may be treated with what three medications?
panic disorder - CORRECT ANSWERS ____________ is the anxiety disorder for which
medication treatment plays its most important role
benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and MAO inhibitors - CORRECT ANSWERS What three
medication classes generally treat panic?
70% - CORRECT ANSWERS ______ of patients have return of panic symptoms if medication is
stopped
GAD, specific phobia, social phobia, agoraphobia without panic - CORRECT ANSWERS What
four anxiety disorders are generally NOT treated with medication unless they are severe or fail to
respond to psychotherapy.
anxiety associated with acute stress, neurotic anxiety - CORRECT ANSWERS Psychotherapy is
the treatment of choice for what two anxiety disorders?
basal ganglia - CORRECT ANSWERS diseases such as encephalitis that selectively damage
areas of the __________ have been shown to result in OCD symptoms.
SSRIs - CORRECT ANSWERS A large number of clinical studies suggest that OCD can be treated
with ________.
serotonin - CORRECT ANSWERS Antidepressants that do not affect _________ are not
effective in treating OCD
SSRI - CORRECT ANSWERS There appears to be an increase in metabolic activity in the
prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia for people with OCD. However, this abnormal metabolic activity is
normalized with patients are treated with an ______.
frontal cortex - CORRECT ANSWERS One theory is that the ___________ works to inhibit the
emergence of primitive instinctual urges, but this does not work in OCD.
