STAHL ESSENTIALS
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY TEST BANK
2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
⩥ neuropharmacology. Answer: drug induced changes in functioning of
nerve cells
⩥ psychopharmacology. Answer: drug induced changes in behavioral
responding
⩥ neuropsychopharmacology. Answer: drug induced changes in the
function of select neurons that influence specific behaviors
⩥ drug action. Answer: molecular changes within cells produced by the
drug binding to a particular target site or receptor on those cells
⩥ drug effects. Answer: molecular changes within or between cells that
lead to alterations in the physiological or psychological function
(the changes that occur)
,⩥ therapeutic effects. Answer: drug/receptor interactions that produce
the DESIRED physiologic and or behavioral effect
⩥ side effects. Answer: all other drug effects varying from annoying to
dangerous
⩥ specific drug effects. Answer: due to physical/biochemical interaction
of the drug with a target
⩥ non-specific effect. Answer: not based on drug target interactions -
due to characteristics of individual
-influenced by experience, mood, expectations, attitude
-may be due to varied neurochemical state of individual at time of
exposure
-unique to a persons physiology and can alter how affective a drug is
⩥ pharmacokinetic factors determine drug action. Answer: chemical
structure, dose, bioavailability, stomach acidity, antacids, food load
⩥ enteric coated formulations. Answer: used for drugs activated by low
pH
⩥ buffered formulations. Answer: used for drugs that increase stomach
acidity
, ⩥ absorption. Answer: movement of drug from site of administration to
the blood circulation
influence by route of administration and drug liberation factors
⩥ PO - oral administration. Answer: most popular, safe, economical,
comfortable
must dissolve in stomach and pass through stomach wall to reach blood
capillaries
⩥ PO absorption is influenced by. Answer: amount and type of food.
(large amounts or fatty foods slow drug movement)
⩥ First pass effect. Answer: PO drugs absorbed into blood stream go
directly to liver where metabolism reduces amount of drug available to
general circulation
⩥ IV - intravenous administration. Answer: most rapid and accurate
method - circumvents stomach and first pass effect
produces quick onset of drug effect
⩥ problems with IV. Answer: 1. quick onset = reaches brain instantly,
little room for correction.
2. sterility of injection equipment/lack thereof
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY TEST BANK
2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
⩥ neuropharmacology. Answer: drug induced changes in functioning of
nerve cells
⩥ psychopharmacology. Answer: drug induced changes in behavioral
responding
⩥ neuropsychopharmacology. Answer: drug induced changes in the
function of select neurons that influence specific behaviors
⩥ drug action. Answer: molecular changes within cells produced by the
drug binding to a particular target site or receptor on those cells
⩥ drug effects. Answer: molecular changes within or between cells that
lead to alterations in the physiological or psychological function
(the changes that occur)
,⩥ therapeutic effects. Answer: drug/receptor interactions that produce
the DESIRED physiologic and or behavioral effect
⩥ side effects. Answer: all other drug effects varying from annoying to
dangerous
⩥ specific drug effects. Answer: due to physical/biochemical interaction
of the drug with a target
⩥ non-specific effect. Answer: not based on drug target interactions -
due to characteristics of individual
-influenced by experience, mood, expectations, attitude
-may be due to varied neurochemical state of individual at time of
exposure
-unique to a persons physiology and can alter how affective a drug is
⩥ pharmacokinetic factors determine drug action. Answer: chemical
structure, dose, bioavailability, stomach acidity, antacids, food load
⩥ enteric coated formulations. Answer: used for drugs activated by low
pH
⩥ buffered formulations. Answer: used for drugs that increase stomach
acidity
, ⩥ absorption. Answer: movement of drug from site of administration to
the blood circulation
influence by route of administration and drug liberation factors
⩥ PO - oral administration. Answer: most popular, safe, economical,
comfortable
must dissolve in stomach and pass through stomach wall to reach blood
capillaries
⩥ PO absorption is influenced by. Answer: amount and type of food.
(large amounts or fatty foods slow drug movement)
⩥ First pass effect. Answer: PO drugs absorbed into blood stream go
directly to liver where metabolism reduces amount of drug available to
general circulation
⩥ IV - intravenous administration. Answer: most rapid and accurate
method - circumvents stomach and first pass effect
produces quick onset of drug effect
⩥ problems with IV. Answer: 1. quick onset = reaches brain instantly,
little room for correction.
2. sterility of injection equipment/lack thereof
