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NSG 552 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY (EXAMS 1–3) AT WILKES UNIVERSITY
EXAM NEWEST UPDATED EXAM 2026 – 2027 SOLVED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS VERIFIED 100% GRADED A+ (LATEST VERSION)
1. Which dopamine pathway is hyperactive in schizophrenia and is most directly
associated with positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions?
A. Mesocortical pathway
B. Nigrostriatal pathway
C. Mesolimbic pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: C
Rationale: The mesolimbic pathway (ventral tegmental area to nucleus accumbens) is
hyperactive in schizophrenia and produces positive symptoms. The mesocortical
pathway is hypoactive and associated with negative/cognitive symptoms.
2. Which serotonin receptor subtype is the primary target for atypical antipsychotic
efficacy and is also responsible for the hallucinogenic effects of psychedelics
when agonized?
A. 5-HT1A
B. 5-HT2A
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C. 5-HT2C
D. 5-HT3
Answer: B
Rationale: 5-HT2A antagonism is crucial for atypical antipsychotic efficacy, reducing
positive symptoms and improving negative symptoms. When agonized, 5-HT2A
produces hallucinogenic effects.
3. Decreased activity of the locus coeruleus and reduced norepinephrine
transmission would most likely produce which symptom cluster?
A. Psychomotor agitation and anxiety
B. Anhedonia and decreased motivation
C. Impaired attention, psychomotor retardation, and decreased arousal
D. Hypervigilance and panic attacks
Answer: C
Rationale: The locus coeruleus is the primary source of CNS norepinephrine, regulating
arousal, attention, and vigilance. Decreased activity produces hypoarousal, impaired
concentration, and psychomotor slowing.
4. Which GABA-A receptor alpha subunit is primarily responsible for the sedative-
hypnotic and amnestic effects of benzodiazepines?
A. α2 subunit
B. α3 subunit
C. α1 subunit
D. α5 subunit
Answer: C
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Rationale: GABA-A receptors containing the α1 subunit mediate the sedative-hypnotic
and amnestic effects of benzodiazepines. The α2 and α3 subunits are more associated
with anxiolysis and muscle relaxation.
5. During synaptic transmission, which sequence correctly describes the process
at a chemical synapse?
A. Action potential → neurotransmitter release → receptor binding → postsynaptic
potential
B. Neurotransmitter release → action potential → receptor binding → reuptake
C. Receptor binding → action potential → neurotransmitter release → degradation
D. Action potential → receptor binding → neurotransmitter release → reuptake
Answer: A
Rationale: An action potential arrives at the presynaptic terminal, neurotransmitters
are released into the synaptic cleft, they bind to postsynaptic receptors, and this
generates a postsynaptic potential.
6. Which neurotransmitter is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central
nervous system?
A. GABA
B. Glutamate
C. Dopamine
D. Serotonin
Answer: B
Rationale: Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS. GABA is
the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter; dopamine and serotonin are modulatory.
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7. Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in the rewarding effects of drugs
of abuse and is a major target for addiction pharmacotherapy?
A. Serotonin
B. Norepinephrine
C. Dopamine
D. Acetylcholine
Answer: C
Rationale: The mesolimbic dopamine pathway is the primary neural substrate for
reward, and most addictive substances increase dopamine in the nucleus accumbens.
8. Which enzyme system is primarily responsible for the metabolism of most
psychotropic medications?
A. Monoamine oxidase (MAO)
B. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450)
C. Acetylcholinesterase
D. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)
Answer: B
Rationale: The CYP450 system, particularly in the liver, is responsible for the oxidative
metabolism of most psychotropic medications, making it a major site of drug
interactions.
9. Which statement best describes the effect of a CYP450 enzyme inhibitor on
serum drug levels?
A. It decreases serum levels of drugs that are substrates of that enzyme.
B. It increases serum levels of drugs that are substrates of that enzyme.
NSG 552 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY (EXAMS 1–3) AT WILKES UNIVERSITY
EXAM NEWEST UPDATED EXAM 2026 – 2027 SOLVED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS VERIFIED 100% GRADED A+ (LATEST VERSION)
1. Which dopamine pathway is hyperactive in schizophrenia and is most directly
associated with positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions?
A. Mesocortical pathway
B. Nigrostriatal pathway
C. Mesolimbic pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: C
Rationale: The mesolimbic pathway (ventral tegmental area to nucleus accumbens) is
hyperactive in schizophrenia and produces positive symptoms. The mesocortical
pathway is hypoactive and associated with negative/cognitive symptoms.
2. Which serotonin receptor subtype is the primary target for atypical antipsychotic
efficacy and is also responsible for the hallucinogenic effects of psychedelics
when agonized?
A. 5-HT1A
B. 5-HT2A
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C. 5-HT2C
D. 5-HT3
Answer: B
Rationale: 5-HT2A antagonism is crucial for atypical antipsychotic efficacy, reducing
positive symptoms and improving negative symptoms. When agonized, 5-HT2A
produces hallucinogenic effects.
3. Decreased activity of the locus coeruleus and reduced norepinephrine
transmission would most likely produce which symptom cluster?
A. Psychomotor agitation and anxiety
B. Anhedonia and decreased motivation
C. Impaired attention, psychomotor retardation, and decreased arousal
D. Hypervigilance and panic attacks
Answer: C
Rationale: The locus coeruleus is the primary source of CNS norepinephrine, regulating
arousal, attention, and vigilance. Decreased activity produces hypoarousal, impaired
concentration, and psychomotor slowing.
4. Which GABA-A receptor alpha subunit is primarily responsible for the sedative-
hypnotic and amnestic effects of benzodiazepines?
A. α2 subunit
B. α3 subunit
C. α1 subunit
D. α5 subunit
Answer: C
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Rationale: GABA-A receptors containing the α1 subunit mediate the sedative-hypnotic
and amnestic effects of benzodiazepines. The α2 and α3 subunits are more associated
with anxiolysis and muscle relaxation.
5. During synaptic transmission, which sequence correctly describes the process
at a chemical synapse?
A. Action potential → neurotransmitter release → receptor binding → postsynaptic
potential
B. Neurotransmitter release → action potential → receptor binding → reuptake
C. Receptor binding → action potential → neurotransmitter release → degradation
D. Action potential → receptor binding → neurotransmitter release → reuptake
Answer: A
Rationale: An action potential arrives at the presynaptic terminal, neurotransmitters
are released into the synaptic cleft, they bind to postsynaptic receptors, and this
generates a postsynaptic potential.
6. Which neurotransmitter is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central
nervous system?
A. GABA
B. Glutamate
C. Dopamine
D. Serotonin
Answer: B
Rationale: Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS. GABA is
the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter; dopamine and serotonin are modulatory.
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7. Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in the rewarding effects of drugs
of abuse and is a major target for addiction pharmacotherapy?
A. Serotonin
B. Norepinephrine
C. Dopamine
D. Acetylcholine
Answer: C
Rationale: The mesolimbic dopamine pathway is the primary neural substrate for
reward, and most addictive substances increase dopamine in the nucleus accumbens.
8. Which enzyme system is primarily responsible for the metabolism of most
psychotropic medications?
A. Monoamine oxidase (MAO)
B. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450)
C. Acetylcholinesterase
D. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)
Answer: B
Rationale: The CYP450 system, particularly in the liver, is responsible for the oxidative
metabolism of most psychotropic medications, making it a major site of drug
interactions.
9. Which statement best describes the effect of a CYP450 enzyme inhibitor on
serum drug levels?
A. It decreases serum levels of drugs that are substrates of that enzyme.
B. It increases serum levels of drugs that are substrates of that enzyme.
