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NSG552 / NSG 552 Exam 3 Study Guide Psychopharmacology 2025 – Wilkes University

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INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF – Unlock your preparation for the NSG552 / NSG 552 Exam 3 with this comprehensive Psychopharmacology Study Guide, specifically tailored for Wilkes University nursing students. This expertly curated resource covers vital pharmacological concepts, drug classifications, therapeu...

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  • August 1, 2025
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  • 2025/2026
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NSG552 / NSG 552 EXAM 3

STUDY GUIDE
Psychopharmacology - Wilkes

100% Guarantee Pass

This PDF contains:
 NSG 552 EXAM 3 STUDY GUIDE

 Everything in Here to Pass the Exam III

 Anything Highlighted in Yellow on Exam

Expert-Verified

, Week 9

● Classic Opioid withdrawal symptoms – yawning, diarrhea, diaphoresis,
rhinorrhea, dilated pupils.
● Remember OTL (Outside the liver)-Oxazepam, Temazepam, and Lorazepam are
metabolized outside the liver hence making it safe for patients with any hepatic
issues.
● Disulfiram (Antabuse) is the best option for highly motivated patients’ d/t the
aversion reaction it causes.
● Remember that Wellbutrin (Zyban) is prescribed for smoking cessation.
● Dopamine is the most involved and reward pathways in the brain.
● Wernicke encephalopathy is characterized by a classic triad of signs and
symptoms: confusion, cerebellar dysfunction (e.g., ataxia), and oculomotor
dysfunction. The most common presenting symptom of Wernicke
encephalopathy is mental status change, whereas the most common physical
exam finding is gait ataxia. Thiamine is often given with/ improvement of
symptoms.
● The 16-year-old patient is using marijuana for anxiety. The PMHNP should
consider Fluoxetine (Prozac) because it is first-line for anxiety (SSRI) and
approved for this age group –
● A CIWA score of >15 is indicative of severe withdrawal symptoms.
● Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome are different conditions
that often occur together in patients with alcohol use disorder. Both are due to
brain damage caused by a deficiency of Vitamin B1
● Naloxone is the drug of choice to reduce the risk of adverse reactions and
further complications in cases of suspected opioid overdose.
● Lorazepam, Chlordiazepoxide, and Acamprosate are all used in Alcohol use
disorders. Methadone is used for Opioid use disorder.




Substance Use Disorders (SUD)

,Each substance use disorder can be categorized into:
1. Acute intoxication phase
2. Maintenance phase
3. Withdrawal phase


Reversible syndrome caused by a specific substance affecting memory, judgement,
behavior or social or occupational functioning = Intoxication

Substance specific symptoms that occur after stopping or reducing use = Withdrawal



Positive rewards of reinforcement associated with SUD is mediated by this
neurotransmitter = Ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the Nucleus accumbens (NAC)
reward center
● DA release w/in the reward center is enhanced = by the release of natural morphine-
like neurotransmitters (Neuropeptides- enkephalins, beta-endorphins)
● Repeated drug use = DA system becomes increasingly sensitized


NOTE: All addictive drugs increase DA in the nucleus accumbens

DA, a neurotransmitter, plays crucial role in reward processing et motivation
● From nucleus accumbens (NAC) + Amygdala to prefrontal cortex = involved
in learning “this feels good”
● From Amygdala to VTA = memory “this felt good last time”
● Amygdala to NAC = emotional cues from internal or external triggers (e.g. seeing
a bag of heroin signals an impulsive action to use)


VTA= reward region

NA-Nucleus accumbens – connects the limbic system to the motor system

Prefrontal cortex- executive functioning, impulse control

, Drugs of abuse act in the brain Reward pathway either
1. Enhance DA release
2. Enhance DA effects in the NA or related structures or produce effects similar to DA


DOPAMINE = primary neurotransmitter involved in pleasure/reward
● released in nucleus accumbens (NAc) = the release reinforces the behavior (more
likely to repeat it)


Mesolimbic pathway: neural network in the brain plays crucial role in reward, motivation,
and pleasure = VTA, NAc, and amygdala
● DA cell bodies originate in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in the midbrain
● DA neurons project to the nucleus accumbens (NAc),
● The amygdala (AMYG), and hippocampus in the ventral striatum, connects to
both the VTA and the Nac




Classes of SUD
● Stimulants = caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine, ectasy
● Depressants = benzodiazepines, alcohol
● Narcotics = opioids
● Hallucinogens = lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana

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