NSG 6005 WEEK 6: ADVANCED
PHARMACOTHERAPEUTICS OF THE
CNS (VERIFIED AND CORRECT Q & A)
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED 2026/2027
1. What is the primary pharmacological reason for adding carbidopa to levodopa in the
treatment of Parkinson’s disease?
A. To increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier to levodopa.
B. To act as a direct dopamine agonist in the corpus striatum.
C. To inhibit peripheral decarboxylation of levodopa, increasing its availability to the brain.
D. To prevent the breakdown of dopamine by Monoamine Oxidase B (MAO-B).
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Carbidopa is a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor. It does not
cross the blood-brain barrier; its role is to prevent the peripheral conversion of levodopa to
dopamine, which reduces systemic side effects and increases the amount of levodopa that
reaches the CNS.
2. Which of the following antiepileptic drugs is most associated with the development of
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, particularly in patients with the HLA-B*1502 allele?
A. Valproic acid
,B. Carbamazepine
C. Ethosuximide
D. Gabapentin
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Carbamazepine has a strong association with severe
dermatologic reactions like SJS/TEN in patients of Asian descent carrying the HLA-B*1502
allele. Genetic testing is recommended before initiation.
3. A patient recently started on fluoxetine (Prozac) for depression presents with agitation,
confusion, tachycardia, and muscle rigidity. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Serotonin Syndrome
B. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
C. Anticholinergic Toxicity
D. Tardive Dyskinesia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition
caused by excess serotonergic activity. Symptoms include mental status changes,
autonomic hyperactivity, and neuromuscular abnormalities.
, 4. Which mechanism of action describes the drug Memantine, used in the treatment of
moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s disease?
A. NMDA receptor antagonism.
B. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibition.
C. Reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibition.
D. Dopamine receptor stimulation.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Memantine works by blocking NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate)
receptors, which helps regulate glutamate activity and prevents excitotoxicity in neurons.
5. Sumatriptan is contraindicated in patients with which of the following conditions?
A. Migraine with aura
B. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
C. Type 2 Diabetes
D. Ischemic heart disease
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Triptans cause vasoconstriction of cranial vessels but can also
cause coronary vasospasm. Therefore, they are contraindicated in patients with ischemic
heart disease, history of MI, or uncontrolled hypertension.
PHARMACOTHERAPEUTICS OF THE
CNS (VERIFIED AND CORRECT Q & A)
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED 2026/2027
1. What is the primary pharmacological reason for adding carbidopa to levodopa in the
treatment of Parkinson’s disease?
A. To increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier to levodopa.
B. To act as a direct dopamine agonist in the corpus striatum.
C. To inhibit peripheral decarboxylation of levodopa, increasing its availability to the brain.
D. To prevent the breakdown of dopamine by Monoamine Oxidase B (MAO-B).
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Carbidopa is a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor. It does not
cross the blood-brain barrier; its role is to prevent the peripheral conversion of levodopa to
dopamine, which reduces systemic side effects and increases the amount of levodopa that
reaches the CNS.
2. Which of the following antiepileptic drugs is most associated with the development of
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, particularly in patients with the HLA-B*1502 allele?
A. Valproic acid
,B. Carbamazepine
C. Ethosuximide
D. Gabapentin
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Carbamazepine has a strong association with severe
dermatologic reactions like SJS/TEN in patients of Asian descent carrying the HLA-B*1502
allele. Genetic testing is recommended before initiation.
3. A patient recently started on fluoxetine (Prozac) for depression presents with agitation,
confusion, tachycardia, and muscle rigidity. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Serotonin Syndrome
B. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
C. Anticholinergic Toxicity
D. Tardive Dyskinesia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition
caused by excess serotonergic activity. Symptoms include mental status changes,
autonomic hyperactivity, and neuromuscular abnormalities.
, 4. Which mechanism of action describes the drug Memantine, used in the treatment of
moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s disease?
A. NMDA receptor antagonism.
B. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibition.
C. Reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibition.
D. Dopamine receptor stimulation.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Memantine works by blocking NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate)
receptors, which helps regulate glutamate activity and prevents excitotoxicity in neurons.
5. Sumatriptan is contraindicated in patients with which of the following conditions?
A. Migraine with aura
B. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
C. Type 2 Diabetes
D. Ischemic heart disease
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Triptans cause vasoconstriction of cranial vessels but can also
cause coronary vasospasm. Therefore, they are contraindicated in patients with ischemic
heart disease, history of MI, or uncontrolled hypertension.
