,NSG 552 EXAM 1 – PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
Complete 200-Question Test Bank with NGN Case
Scenarios & Detailed Rationales
Wilkes University | 2026/2027 Edition | 100% Pass
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SECTION 1: NEUROBIOLOGY &
NEUROTRANSMISSION (Questions 1–30)
1. A nursing student asks the preceptor to explain
the primary difference between pharmacokinetics
and pharmacodynamics. Which response is most
accurate?
A) "Pharmacokinetics is the effect of the drug on
the body; pharmacodynamics is what the body does
to the drug."
B) "Pharmacokinetics is what the body does to the
drug; pharmacodynamics is the effect of the drug
,on the body."
C) "Pharmacokinetics involves receptor binding;
pharmacodynamics involves drug absorption."
D) "There is no significant difference between the
two terms."
Answer: B) "Pharmacokinetics is what the body
does to the drug; pharmacodynamics is the effect of
the drug on the body."
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics describes what the
body does to the drug (Absorption, Distribution,
Metabolism, Excretion – ADME).
Pharmacodynamics describes what the drug does to
the body (receptor binding, mechanism of action,
clinical effect).
2. The opening of which ion channel is primarily
responsible for initiating an action potential?
A) Potassium channels
B) Calcium channels
C) Sodium channels
D) Chloride channels
, Answer: C) Sodium channels
Rationale: Voltage-gated sodium channels open,
allowing sodium influx and depolarization of the
neuron, which initiates the action potential.
Potassium channels then open for repolarization.
3. Which neurotransmitter is the primary inhibitory
neurotransmitter in the central nervous system?
A) Glutamate
B) Dopamine
C) GABA
D) Norepinephrine
Answer: C) GABA
Rationale: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the
primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS. It
acts on GABA-A and GABA-B receptors to reduce
neuronal excitability. Glutamate (A) is the primary
excitatory neurotransmitter.
Complete 200-Question Test Bank with NGN Case
Scenarios & Detailed Rationales
Wilkes University | 2026/2027 Edition | 100% Pass
Guarantee
SECTION 1: NEUROBIOLOGY &
NEUROTRANSMISSION (Questions 1–30)
1. A nursing student asks the preceptor to explain
the primary difference between pharmacokinetics
and pharmacodynamics. Which response is most
accurate?
A) "Pharmacokinetics is the effect of the drug on
the body; pharmacodynamics is what the body does
to the drug."
B) "Pharmacokinetics is what the body does to the
drug; pharmacodynamics is the effect of the drug
,on the body."
C) "Pharmacokinetics involves receptor binding;
pharmacodynamics involves drug absorption."
D) "There is no significant difference between the
two terms."
Answer: B) "Pharmacokinetics is what the body
does to the drug; pharmacodynamics is the effect of
the drug on the body."
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics describes what the
body does to the drug (Absorption, Distribution,
Metabolism, Excretion – ADME).
Pharmacodynamics describes what the drug does to
the body (receptor binding, mechanism of action,
clinical effect).
2. The opening of which ion channel is primarily
responsible for initiating an action potential?
A) Potassium channels
B) Calcium channels
C) Sodium channels
D) Chloride channels
, Answer: C) Sodium channels
Rationale: Voltage-gated sodium channels open,
allowing sodium influx and depolarization of the
neuron, which initiates the action potential.
Potassium channels then open for repolarization.
3. Which neurotransmitter is the primary inhibitory
neurotransmitter in the central nervous system?
A) Glutamate
B) Dopamine
C) GABA
D) Norepinephrine
Answer: C) GABA
Rationale: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the
primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS. It
acts on GABA-A and GABA-B receptors to reduce
neuronal excitability. Glutamate (A) is the primary
excitatory neurotransmitter.
