NSG 552 Psychopharmacology Exam 2 Versions A & B | Latest
Update 2026/2027 | 200 Questions and Verified Answers |
Wilkes University Complete Q&A Guide | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND RECEPTOR PHARMACOLOGY (Questions 120)
1. A psychiatricmental health nurse practitioner is reviewing the mechanism of action of selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Which statement accurately describes how SSRIs work?
A) They block the reuptake of serotonin, increasing its availability in the synaptic cleft
B) They inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase, preventing the breakdown of serotonin
C) They block serotonin receptors, decreasing serotonin activity
D) They increase the production of serotonin in the presynaptic neuron
Answer: A) They block the reuptake of serotonin, increasing its availability in the synaptic cleft
Explanation: SSRIs work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin into the presynaptic neuron, thereby
increasing the concentration of serotonin in the synaptic cleft. This enhances serotonergic
neurotransmission. MAOIs (option B) inhibit monoamine oxidase, while SSRIs do not block receptors
(option C) or directly increase serotonin production (option D).
2. A client is prescribed an atypical antipsychotic. The nurse explains that these medications work by
blocking which receptors?
A) Dopamine D2 receptors only
B) Serotonin 5HT2A and dopamine D2 receptors
C) Norepinephrine and GABA receptors
D) Acetylcholine and histamine receptors
Answer: B) Serotonin 5HT2A and dopamine D2 receptors
,Explanation: Atypical (secondgeneration) antipsychotics block both dopamine D2 receptors and
serotonin 5HT2A receptors, which contributes to their efficacy and fewer extrapyramidal side effects
compared to typical antipsychotics.
3. A client asks the nurse how benzodiazepines reduce anxiety. What is the correct mechanism of
action?
A) They block dopamine receptors in the limbic system
B) They increase the efficiency of GABA at the GABAA receptor
C) They inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine
D) They block betaadrenergic receptors
Answer: B) They increase the efficiency of GABA at the GABAA receptor
Explanation: Benzodiazepines enhance the inhibitory effects of GABA by increasing the efficiency of
GABA at the GABAA receptor. This results in anxiolytic, sedative, muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsant
effects. Option A describes antipsychotics, option C describes SNRIs, and option D describes
betablockers.
4. A client with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. The nurse understands that lithium's mechanism
of action includes:
A) Blocking dopamine D2 receptors
B) Increasing GABA neurotransmission
C) Reducing excitatory neurotransmission and increasing inhibitory neurotransmission
D) Inhibiting serotonin reuptake
Answer: C) Reducing excitatory neurotransmission and increasing inhibitory neurotransmission
,Explanation: Lithium reduces excitatory neurotransmission (dopamine and glutamate) and increases
inhibitory neurotransmission (GABA). This stabilizes mood and prevents manic and depressive episodes.
Options A and D describe other medication classes.
5. A client is prescribed buspirone for generalized anxiety disorder. The nurse knows that buspirone's
mechanism of action differs from benzodiazepines in that it:
A) Directly enhances GABA activity
B) Acts as a serotonin receptor agonist
C) Blocks dopamine receptors
D) Inhibits norepinephrine reuptake
Answer: B) Acts as a serotonin receptor agonist
Explanation: Buspirone is a serotonin 5HT1A receptor partial agonist. It is not chemically or
pharmacologically related to benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or other sedative/anxiolytic drugs. It does
not directly enhance GABA like benzodiazepines.
6. A nurse is teaching a client about their new prescription for a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
The nurse explains that MAOIs work by:
A) Blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine
B) Inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down monoamines
C) Blocking dopamine D2 receptors
D) Enhancing GABA activity
Answer: B) Inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down monoamines
, Explanation: MAOIs inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which is responsible for breaking down
monoamines (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine). This increases the availability of these
neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft.
7. A client is prescribed a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). The nurse understands that TCAs work by:
A) Selectively blocking serotonin reuptake
B) Blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine
C) Inhibiting monoamine oxidase
D) Blocking dopamine D2 receptors
Answer: B) Blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine
Explanation: TCAs block the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine, increasing their availability
in the synaptic cleft. SSRIs (option A) selectively block serotonin reuptake. MAOIs (option C) inhibit
monoamine oxidase.
8. A client is started on a serotoninnorepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). The nurse anticipates
which additional monitoring compared to SSRIs?
A) Monitoring for extrapyramidal symptoms
B) Monitoring blood pressure and heart rate
C) Monitoring liver function tests
D) Monitoring for tardive dyskinesia
Answer: B) Monitoring blood pressure and heart rate
Update 2026/2027 | 200 Questions and Verified Answers |
Wilkes University Complete Q&A Guide | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND RECEPTOR PHARMACOLOGY (Questions 120)
1. A psychiatricmental health nurse practitioner is reviewing the mechanism of action of selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Which statement accurately describes how SSRIs work?
A) They block the reuptake of serotonin, increasing its availability in the synaptic cleft
B) They inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase, preventing the breakdown of serotonin
C) They block serotonin receptors, decreasing serotonin activity
D) They increase the production of serotonin in the presynaptic neuron
Answer: A) They block the reuptake of serotonin, increasing its availability in the synaptic cleft
Explanation: SSRIs work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin into the presynaptic neuron, thereby
increasing the concentration of serotonin in the synaptic cleft. This enhances serotonergic
neurotransmission. MAOIs (option B) inhibit monoamine oxidase, while SSRIs do not block receptors
(option C) or directly increase serotonin production (option D).
2. A client is prescribed an atypical antipsychotic. The nurse explains that these medications work by
blocking which receptors?
A) Dopamine D2 receptors only
B) Serotonin 5HT2A and dopamine D2 receptors
C) Norepinephrine and GABA receptors
D) Acetylcholine and histamine receptors
Answer: B) Serotonin 5HT2A and dopamine D2 receptors
,Explanation: Atypical (secondgeneration) antipsychotics block both dopamine D2 receptors and
serotonin 5HT2A receptors, which contributes to their efficacy and fewer extrapyramidal side effects
compared to typical antipsychotics.
3. A client asks the nurse how benzodiazepines reduce anxiety. What is the correct mechanism of
action?
A) They block dopamine receptors in the limbic system
B) They increase the efficiency of GABA at the GABAA receptor
C) They inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine
D) They block betaadrenergic receptors
Answer: B) They increase the efficiency of GABA at the GABAA receptor
Explanation: Benzodiazepines enhance the inhibitory effects of GABA by increasing the efficiency of
GABA at the GABAA receptor. This results in anxiolytic, sedative, muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsant
effects. Option A describes antipsychotics, option C describes SNRIs, and option D describes
betablockers.
4. A client with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. The nurse understands that lithium's mechanism
of action includes:
A) Blocking dopamine D2 receptors
B) Increasing GABA neurotransmission
C) Reducing excitatory neurotransmission and increasing inhibitory neurotransmission
D) Inhibiting serotonin reuptake
Answer: C) Reducing excitatory neurotransmission and increasing inhibitory neurotransmission
,Explanation: Lithium reduces excitatory neurotransmission (dopamine and glutamate) and increases
inhibitory neurotransmission (GABA). This stabilizes mood and prevents manic and depressive episodes.
Options A and D describe other medication classes.
5. A client is prescribed buspirone for generalized anxiety disorder. The nurse knows that buspirone's
mechanism of action differs from benzodiazepines in that it:
A) Directly enhances GABA activity
B) Acts as a serotonin receptor agonist
C) Blocks dopamine receptors
D) Inhibits norepinephrine reuptake
Answer: B) Acts as a serotonin receptor agonist
Explanation: Buspirone is a serotonin 5HT1A receptor partial agonist. It is not chemically or
pharmacologically related to benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or other sedative/anxiolytic drugs. It does
not directly enhance GABA like benzodiazepines.
6. A nurse is teaching a client about their new prescription for a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
The nurse explains that MAOIs work by:
A) Blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine
B) Inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down monoamines
C) Blocking dopamine D2 receptors
D) Enhancing GABA activity
Answer: B) Inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down monoamines
, Explanation: MAOIs inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which is responsible for breaking down
monoamines (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine). This increases the availability of these
neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft.
7. A client is prescribed a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). The nurse understands that TCAs work by:
A) Selectively blocking serotonin reuptake
B) Blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine
C) Inhibiting monoamine oxidase
D) Blocking dopamine D2 receptors
Answer: B) Blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine
Explanation: TCAs block the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine, increasing their availability
in the synaptic cleft. SSRIs (option A) selectively block serotonin reuptake. MAOIs (option C) inhibit
monoamine oxidase.
8. A client is started on a serotoninnorepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). The nurse anticipates
which additional monitoring compared to SSRIs?
A) Monitoring for extrapyramidal symptoms
B) Monitoring blood pressure and heart rate
C) Monitoring liver function tests
D) Monitoring for tardive dyskinesia
Answer: B) Monitoring blood pressure and heart rate
