NSG-552 / NSG 552 Exam 1 Test Bank (2026/2027 Update):
Psychopharmacology & Neurobiology | Real Board-Style
Questions & Answers with Rationales | Grade A+
,Question
What term describes the study of what the body does to drugs, including processes such as absorption, distribution,
metabolism, and excretion?
Options
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacokinetics
C. Pharmacogenetics
D. Pharmacovigilance
Correct Answer
B. Pharmacokinetics
Rationale
Pharmacokinetics (PK): Defined as the study of "what the body does to the drug." It encompasses the
movement of drugs through the body over time, summarized by the acronym ADME:
o Absorption (how the drug enters the bloodstream)
o Distribution (how the drug disperses throughout body tissues)
o Metabolism (how the body enzymatically breaks down the drug, primarily in the liver)
o Excretion (how the body eliminates the drug, primarily via the kidneys)
Why others are incorrect:
o A (Pharmacodynamics): Refers to "what the drug does to the body" (e.g., mechanism of
action, receptor binding, physiological and therapeutic effects).
, o C (Pharmacogenetics): The study of how genetic variations influence an individual's response to
drugs.
o D (Pharmacovigilance): The science and activities relating to the detection, assessment,
understanding, and prevention of adverse drug effects or safety issues.
Question
RD is a 50-year-old female with schizophrenia on your inpatient unit. She was started on fluphenazine 1 month ago
with gradual titration and she has achieved remission of psychotic symptoms. You have noticed over the past week
that she has developed a resting tremor, she seems to be shuffling around the unit, and her movements have
become slower and more rigid. Which of the following extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) is the patient most likely
experiencing (if any)?
Options
A. Akathisia
B. Pseudoparkinsonism (Drug-Induced Parkinsonism)
C. Acute Dystonia
D. Tardive Dyskinesia
Correct Answer
B. Pseudoparkinsonism (Drug-Induced Parkinsonism)
Rationale
Pseudoparkinsonism: High-potency first-generation antipsychotics like fluphenazine strongly block
dopamine D2 receptors in the nigrostriatal pathway. This produces symptoms mimicking Idiopathic
Parkinson's Disease (the classic triad/quadrad of resting tremor, bradykinesia/slowness, rigidity, and
shuffling gait). It typically develops within weeks to months of initiation or dose escalation.
Why others are incorrect:
o A (Akathisia): Characterized by subjective inner restlessness and objective motor agitation (e.g.,
inability to sit still, pacing, rocking back and forth), rather than muscle rigidity and slowed
movements.
o C (Acute Dystonia): Involves sudden, involuntary, painful sustained muscle contractions (e.g.,
torticollis, oculogyric crisis, trismus) that typically manifest very early—usually within hours to days
(typically within 72 hours) of starting an antipsychotic.
Psychopharmacology & Neurobiology | Real Board-Style
Questions & Answers with Rationales | Grade A+
,Question
What term describes the study of what the body does to drugs, including processes such as absorption, distribution,
metabolism, and excretion?
Options
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacokinetics
C. Pharmacogenetics
D. Pharmacovigilance
Correct Answer
B. Pharmacokinetics
Rationale
Pharmacokinetics (PK): Defined as the study of "what the body does to the drug." It encompasses the
movement of drugs through the body over time, summarized by the acronym ADME:
o Absorption (how the drug enters the bloodstream)
o Distribution (how the drug disperses throughout body tissues)
o Metabolism (how the body enzymatically breaks down the drug, primarily in the liver)
o Excretion (how the body eliminates the drug, primarily via the kidneys)
Why others are incorrect:
o A (Pharmacodynamics): Refers to "what the drug does to the body" (e.g., mechanism of
action, receptor binding, physiological and therapeutic effects).
, o C (Pharmacogenetics): The study of how genetic variations influence an individual's response to
drugs.
o D (Pharmacovigilance): The science and activities relating to the detection, assessment,
understanding, and prevention of adverse drug effects or safety issues.
Question
RD is a 50-year-old female with schizophrenia on your inpatient unit. She was started on fluphenazine 1 month ago
with gradual titration and she has achieved remission of psychotic symptoms. You have noticed over the past week
that she has developed a resting tremor, she seems to be shuffling around the unit, and her movements have
become slower and more rigid. Which of the following extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) is the patient most likely
experiencing (if any)?
Options
A. Akathisia
B. Pseudoparkinsonism (Drug-Induced Parkinsonism)
C. Acute Dystonia
D. Tardive Dyskinesia
Correct Answer
B. Pseudoparkinsonism (Drug-Induced Parkinsonism)
Rationale
Pseudoparkinsonism: High-potency first-generation antipsychotics like fluphenazine strongly block
dopamine D2 receptors in the nigrostriatal pathway. This produces symptoms mimicking Idiopathic
Parkinson's Disease (the classic triad/quadrad of resting tremor, bradykinesia/slowness, rigidity, and
shuffling gait). It typically develops within weeks to months of initiation or dose escalation.
Why others are incorrect:
o A (Akathisia): Characterized by subjective inner restlessness and objective motor agitation (e.g.,
inability to sit still, pacing, rocking back and forth), rather than muscle rigidity and slowed
movements.
o C (Acute Dystonia): Involves sudden, involuntary, painful sustained muscle contractions (e.g.,
torticollis, oculogyric crisis, trismus) that typically manifest very early—usually within hours to days
(typically within 72 hours) of starting an antipsychotic.
