NSG 552 ADVANCED
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient reaches a steady-state plasma concentration of a drug. How many half-lives are
generally required to reach this state?
A. 1 to 2 half-lives
B. 4 to 5 half-lives
C. 7 to 8 half-lives
D. 10 to 12 half-lives
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: In clinical pharmacokinetics, it generally takes 4 to 5 half-lives
for a drug to reach steady-state concentration where the rate of drug administration equals
the rate of drug elimination.
2. Which dopamine pathway is primarily associated with the positive symptoms of
schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Nigrostriatal pathway
,C. Mesocortical pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperactivity of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway is
hypothesized to mediate the positive symptoms of psychosis.
3. Blockade of dopamine D2 receptors in which pathway leads to increased prolactin levels
(hyperprolactinemia)?
A. Nigrostriatal
B. Mesocortical
C. Mesolimbic
D. Tuberoinfundibular
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Dopamine acts as a prolactin-inhibiting factor in the
tuberoinfundibular pathway; blocking these receptors results in elevated prolactin levels.
4. A patient is prescribed Lamotrigine for bipolar maintenance. What is the most critical
adverse effect the provider must monitor for during titration?
A. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Hepatotoxicity
, D. Pancreatitis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Lamotrigine carries a black box warning for serious, potentially
life-threatening rashes, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, especially if titrated too
quickly.
5. Which cytochrome P450 enzyme is responsible for the metabolism of approximately 50%
of all clinically used drugs?
A. CYP2D6
B. CYP3A4
C. CYP1A2
D. CYP2C19
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: CYP3A4 is the most abundant CYP enzyme in the liver and is
involved in the metabolism of about half of all medications.
6. Which of the following antidepressants is contraindicated in patients with a history of
seizure disorders or eating disorders?
A. Sertraline
B. Fluoxetine
C. Mirtazapine
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient reaches a steady-state plasma concentration of a drug. How many half-lives are
generally required to reach this state?
A. 1 to 2 half-lives
B. 4 to 5 half-lives
C. 7 to 8 half-lives
D. 10 to 12 half-lives
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: In clinical pharmacokinetics, it generally takes 4 to 5 half-lives
for a drug to reach steady-state concentration where the rate of drug administration equals
the rate of drug elimination.
2. Which dopamine pathway is primarily associated with the positive symptoms of
schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Nigrostriatal pathway
,C. Mesocortical pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperactivity of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway is
hypothesized to mediate the positive symptoms of psychosis.
3. Blockade of dopamine D2 receptors in which pathway leads to increased prolactin levels
(hyperprolactinemia)?
A. Nigrostriatal
B. Mesocortical
C. Mesolimbic
D. Tuberoinfundibular
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Dopamine acts as a prolactin-inhibiting factor in the
tuberoinfundibular pathway; blocking these receptors results in elevated prolactin levels.
4. A patient is prescribed Lamotrigine for bipolar maintenance. What is the most critical
adverse effect the provider must monitor for during titration?
A. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Hepatotoxicity
, D. Pancreatitis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Lamotrigine carries a black box warning for serious, potentially
life-threatening rashes, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, especially if titrated too
quickly.
5. Which cytochrome P450 enzyme is responsible for the metabolism of approximately 50%
of all clinically used drugs?
A. CYP2D6
B. CYP3A4
C. CYP1A2
D. CYP2C19
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: CYP3A4 is the most abundant CYP enzyme in the liver and is
involved in the metabolism of about half of all medications.
6. Which of the following antidepressants is contraindicated in patients with a history of
seizure disorders or eating disorders?
A. Sertraline
B. Fluoxetine
C. Mirtazapine
