NSG 552 Psychopharmacology Exam 1 - Modules 1-3 Exam
comprehensive questions | FREQUENTLY MOST TESTED
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS @ 2026
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Pharmacokinetics - >>>>>>>ANSWER Studies how the body acts on the drug
Pharmacodynamics - >>>>>>>ANSWER Studies how the drug acts on the body
First-generation antipsychotic - >>>>>>>ANSWER - first developed in the 1950s, first
available treatment for psychosis
- aka typical antipsychotics
- increased risk for EPS, Tardive dyskinesia
- d2 blocker
- Currently 11 FDA-approved and commerically available FGAs
- Most common differences between individual FGAs are their potency and side effects
- examples include Thorazine (chlorpromazine), Haldol (haloperidol), Prolixin
(fluphenazine), perphenazine (Trilafon
Second-generation antipsychotic - >>>>>>>ANSWER - examples include Abilify
(aripiprazole), Seroquel (quetiapine), Zyprexa (olanzapine), Risperdal (risperidone),
Clozaril (clozapine)
- lower risk of EPS symptoms compared to 1st gen
- higher risk of metabolic side effects
- serotonin-dopamine receptor antagonists
- AKA atypical antipsychotics
EPS - >>>>>>>ANSWER Involuntary movements that occur as a side effect to certina
medications. AKA drug induced movement disorder. May include tardive dyskinesia,
dystonic reactions, parkinsons-like symptoms, akathesia, NMD, akinesia
- Can be acute or chronic
- related to suppression of D2 dopamine receptors in the nigrostriatal pathway
Tardive dyskinesia - >>>>>>>ANSWER - characterized by involuntary movments in the
face and body
- often induced by long-term use of anitpsychotic drugs
- can be associated with use of other medication types (antidepressants, lithium,
antihistamines)
- more common with 1st gen antipsychotics
- movements may include: writhing, mouth puckering, tongue rolling, lip smacking, pill
rolling, tongue protrusion
Upregulation - >>>>>>>ANSWER Refers to the activiation of the nervous system. Is the
process by which a cell increases its response to a subtance or signal from outside the
cell to carry out a specific response
downregulation - >>>>>>>ANSWER Refers to state of calm/relation within nervous
system. Characterized by a decreased response by a cell to a molecule or
neurotransmitter.
Receptor Profiles - >>>>>>>ANSWER FGA - Primarily D2 antagonism. Also antagonize
M2, H1, and a1 receptors
SGA - 5-HT2A & D2 antagonism. Rapid D2 dissociation. 5HT2A agonism. Also
antagonizes M2, H1, 5HT2C, and a1 receptors
, Binding - >>>>>>>ANSWER When a neurotransmitter binds to a receptor on a
receiving cell, it causes ion channels to open or close.
Affinity - >>>>>>>ANSWER The property of a drug that describes its ability to bind to a
receptor
Constant
Unique for each drug-receptor pair as it is dependent on each of their structures
CYP450 - >>>>>>>ANSWER - membrane-bound hemoproteins that play a pivotal role
in the detoxification of xenobiotics, cellular metabolism, and homeostatis
-Inhibitition or induction of CYP enzymes is a major mechanism underlying drug-drug
interactions
- A CYP450 inhibitor prevents or reduces work by CYP450 enzymes = decreased drug
metabolism and increased risk for toxicity
- A CYP450 inducer increases rate of hepatic metabolism = decreased serum
concentation of other drugs metabolized by the same hepatic isoenzyme
Grapefruit juice is an inhibtior, which can increase serum levels of certain drugs
Dopamine Pathways - >>>>>>>ANSWER - mesolimbic (positive sx)
- mesocortical (negative sx)
- nigrostriatal (EPS)
- tuberoinfundibular (prolactin)
Metabolic Syndrome - >>>>>>>ANSWER cluster of conditions that incerase risk for
T2DM and cardiovascular disease (obesity, HTN, high triglycerides, low HDL, insulin
resistance)
-increased risk for metabolic syndrome found with some antipsychotic medications,
primarily SGA
High Potency vs Low Potency - >>>>>>>ANSWER High potency: higher risk for
EPS/hyperprolactinemia. Effective at lower doses. Haldol, risperdal, prolixin, olanzapine
Low potency: more sedating with more anticholinergic symptoms. Thorazine, seroquel,
clozaril, geodon
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) - >>>>>>>ANSWER - Life threatening
- occur with use of dopamine receptor antagonists or when dopaminergic medidcation
are suddenly withdrawn
- sx usually begin within 2 wks of starting a new med or changing dose.
- Characterized by fever, AMS, muscle rigidity, autonomic dysfuncton
- Dantrolene sodium is FDA approved to treat. Muscle relaxant that reduces
hyperthermia/muscle stiffness
QTC interval - >>>>>>>ANSWER -measurement of the left ventricle's repolarization
efficiency on ECG.
- usually 350-450 (men), 360-460 (women)
-associated with life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias
-antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs can prolong QT intervals, some more than
others
The study of the use of psychotropic medications in the treatment of psychiatric
disorders: - >>>>>>>ANSWER Psychopharmacology
The study of what the body does to drugs: - >>>>>>>ANSWER Pharmacokinetics
The study of what drugs do to the body: - >>>>>>>ANSWER Pharmacodynamics
comprehensive questions | FREQUENTLY MOST TESTED
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS @ 2026
Save
Pharmacokinetics - >>>>>>>ANSWER Studies how the body acts on the drug
Pharmacodynamics - >>>>>>>ANSWER Studies how the drug acts on the body
First-generation antipsychotic - >>>>>>>ANSWER - first developed in the 1950s, first
available treatment for psychosis
- aka typical antipsychotics
- increased risk for EPS, Tardive dyskinesia
- d2 blocker
- Currently 11 FDA-approved and commerically available FGAs
- Most common differences between individual FGAs are their potency and side effects
- examples include Thorazine (chlorpromazine), Haldol (haloperidol), Prolixin
(fluphenazine), perphenazine (Trilafon
Second-generation antipsychotic - >>>>>>>ANSWER - examples include Abilify
(aripiprazole), Seroquel (quetiapine), Zyprexa (olanzapine), Risperdal (risperidone),
Clozaril (clozapine)
- lower risk of EPS symptoms compared to 1st gen
- higher risk of metabolic side effects
- serotonin-dopamine receptor antagonists
- AKA atypical antipsychotics
EPS - >>>>>>>ANSWER Involuntary movements that occur as a side effect to certina
medications. AKA drug induced movement disorder. May include tardive dyskinesia,
dystonic reactions, parkinsons-like symptoms, akathesia, NMD, akinesia
- Can be acute or chronic
- related to suppression of D2 dopamine receptors in the nigrostriatal pathway
Tardive dyskinesia - >>>>>>>ANSWER - characterized by involuntary movments in the
face and body
- often induced by long-term use of anitpsychotic drugs
- can be associated with use of other medication types (antidepressants, lithium,
antihistamines)
- more common with 1st gen antipsychotics
- movements may include: writhing, mouth puckering, tongue rolling, lip smacking, pill
rolling, tongue protrusion
Upregulation - >>>>>>>ANSWER Refers to the activiation of the nervous system. Is the
process by which a cell increases its response to a subtance or signal from outside the
cell to carry out a specific response
downregulation - >>>>>>>ANSWER Refers to state of calm/relation within nervous
system. Characterized by a decreased response by a cell to a molecule or
neurotransmitter.
Receptor Profiles - >>>>>>>ANSWER FGA - Primarily D2 antagonism. Also antagonize
M2, H1, and a1 receptors
SGA - 5-HT2A & D2 antagonism. Rapid D2 dissociation. 5HT2A agonism. Also
antagonizes M2, H1, 5HT2C, and a1 receptors
, Binding - >>>>>>>ANSWER When a neurotransmitter binds to a receptor on a
receiving cell, it causes ion channels to open or close.
Affinity - >>>>>>>ANSWER The property of a drug that describes its ability to bind to a
receptor
Constant
Unique for each drug-receptor pair as it is dependent on each of their structures
CYP450 - >>>>>>>ANSWER - membrane-bound hemoproteins that play a pivotal role
in the detoxification of xenobiotics, cellular metabolism, and homeostatis
-Inhibitition or induction of CYP enzymes is a major mechanism underlying drug-drug
interactions
- A CYP450 inhibitor prevents or reduces work by CYP450 enzymes = decreased drug
metabolism and increased risk for toxicity
- A CYP450 inducer increases rate of hepatic metabolism = decreased serum
concentation of other drugs metabolized by the same hepatic isoenzyme
Grapefruit juice is an inhibtior, which can increase serum levels of certain drugs
Dopamine Pathways - >>>>>>>ANSWER - mesolimbic (positive sx)
- mesocortical (negative sx)
- nigrostriatal (EPS)
- tuberoinfundibular (prolactin)
Metabolic Syndrome - >>>>>>>ANSWER cluster of conditions that incerase risk for
T2DM and cardiovascular disease (obesity, HTN, high triglycerides, low HDL, insulin
resistance)
-increased risk for metabolic syndrome found with some antipsychotic medications,
primarily SGA
High Potency vs Low Potency - >>>>>>>ANSWER High potency: higher risk for
EPS/hyperprolactinemia. Effective at lower doses. Haldol, risperdal, prolixin, olanzapine
Low potency: more sedating with more anticholinergic symptoms. Thorazine, seroquel,
clozaril, geodon
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) - >>>>>>>ANSWER - Life threatening
- occur with use of dopamine receptor antagonists or when dopaminergic medidcation
are suddenly withdrawn
- sx usually begin within 2 wks of starting a new med or changing dose.
- Characterized by fever, AMS, muscle rigidity, autonomic dysfuncton
- Dantrolene sodium is FDA approved to treat. Muscle relaxant that reduces
hyperthermia/muscle stiffness
QTC interval - >>>>>>>ANSWER -measurement of the left ventricle's repolarization
efficiency on ECG.
- usually 350-450 (men), 360-460 (women)
-associated with life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias
-antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs can prolong QT intervals, some more than
others
The study of the use of psychotropic medications in the treatment of psychiatric
disorders: - >>>>>>>ANSWER Psychopharmacology
The study of what the body does to drugs: - >>>>>>>ANSWER Pharmacokinetics
The study of what drugs do to the body: - >>>>>>>ANSWER Pharmacodynamics
