NR546 Psychopharm Midterm Preparation Guide
Questions with Correct Answers Already Graded
A+ 2026
How does the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) affect the amygdala? ANSWER >> inhibits and
activates the amygdala
1
,Wernicke's area is associated with which of the following? ANSWER >> speech
comprehension
The limbic system is associated with which of the following ANSWER >> emotion and
learning
Which brain structure is most associated with long term memory? ANSWER >>
hippocampus
When prescribing psychotropic medications, the PMHNP knows that these medications
work within which specific areas? ANSWER >> mood
Which of the following are involved in regulating neurotransmission via excitation-
secretion coupling? ANSWER >> voltage-sensitive sodium channels and voltage-
sensitive calcium channels
What system influences the length of time for a drug to achieve efficacy? ANSWER >>
signal transduction cascades
One of the signal transduction cascades, pass the message from a first receptor to a
second messenger. ANSWER >> G protein linked systems
Human central nervous system communication at synapses is which of the following?
ANSWER >> chemical
Which of the following is an excitatory neurotransmitter? ANSWER >> glutamate
Which statement correctly pairs the pharmacodynamic effect with its definition?
ANSWER >> antagonist effect - drug binds to receptor, but does not activate a
response
2
, A major current hypothesis for the cause of schizophrenia proposes that N-methyl-d-
aspartate (NMDA) receptors may be which of the following?
Correct! ANSWER >> hypofunctional
Which medication is least associated with weight gain? ANSWER >> aripiprazole
Which dopamine pathway is associated with positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
ANSWER >> mesolimbic pathway
Which pathway is associated with negative symptoms? ANSWER >> The mesocortical
pathway
Is part of the extrapyramidal nervous system and associated with extrapyramidal
symptoms (EPS) ANSWER >> nigrostriatal pathway
This pathway is associated with hyperprolactinemia. ANSWER >> The
tuberoinfundibular pathway
A 34-year old male recently began experiencing breast secretions while receiving
risperidone . Which dopamine pathway is associated with this side effect? ANSWER >>
tuberoinfundibular pathway
A 44-year-old woman is initiated on an atypical antipsychotic for the treatment of
schizophrenia. Regarding affinity, atypical antipsychotics demonstrate which of the
following most often? ANSWER >> Atypical antipsychotics have equal positive
symptom antipsychotic actions and low extrapyramidal symptoms.
is a syndrome that can be associated with several different psychiatric disorders.
Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, disorganized
behavior, and distortions of reality. This syndrome can affect a person's cognition,
affective response, communication, capacity to recognize reality, and ability to relate to
others. ANSWER >> psychosis
3
Questions with Correct Answers Already Graded
A+ 2026
How does the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) affect the amygdala? ANSWER >> inhibits and
activates the amygdala
1
,Wernicke's area is associated with which of the following? ANSWER >> speech
comprehension
The limbic system is associated with which of the following ANSWER >> emotion and
learning
Which brain structure is most associated with long term memory? ANSWER >>
hippocampus
When prescribing psychotropic medications, the PMHNP knows that these medications
work within which specific areas? ANSWER >> mood
Which of the following are involved in regulating neurotransmission via excitation-
secretion coupling? ANSWER >> voltage-sensitive sodium channels and voltage-
sensitive calcium channels
What system influences the length of time for a drug to achieve efficacy? ANSWER >>
signal transduction cascades
One of the signal transduction cascades, pass the message from a first receptor to a
second messenger. ANSWER >> G protein linked systems
Human central nervous system communication at synapses is which of the following?
ANSWER >> chemical
Which of the following is an excitatory neurotransmitter? ANSWER >> glutamate
Which statement correctly pairs the pharmacodynamic effect with its definition?
ANSWER >> antagonist effect - drug binds to receptor, but does not activate a
response
2
, A major current hypothesis for the cause of schizophrenia proposes that N-methyl-d-
aspartate (NMDA) receptors may be which of the following?
Correct! ANSWER >> hypofunctional
Which medication is least associated with weight gain? ANSWER >> aripiprazole
Which dopamine pathway is associated with positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
ANSWER >> mesolimbic pathway
Which pathway is associated with negative symptoms? ANSWER >> The mesocortical
pathway
Is part of the extrapyramidal nervous system and associated with extrapyramidal
symptoms (EPS) ANSWER >> nigrostriatal pathway
This pathway is associated with hyperprolactinemia. ANSWER >> The
tuberoinfundibular pathway
A 34-year old male recently began experiencing breast secretions while receiving
risperidone . Which dopamine pathway is associated with this side effect? ANSWER >>
tuberoinfundibular pathway
A 44-year-old woman is initiated on an atypical antipsychotic for the treatment of
schizophrenia. Regarding affinity, atypical antipsychotics demonstrate which of the
following most often? ANSWER >> Atypical antipsychotics have equal positive
symptom antipsychotic actions and low extrapyramidal symptoms.
is a syndrome that can be associated with several different psychiatric disorders.
Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, disorganized
behavior, and distortions of reality. This syndrome can affect a person's cognition,
affective response, communication, capacity to recognize reality, and ability to relate to
others. ANSWER >> psychosis
3
