PSYCHO PHARMACOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026
◉ neuropharmacology. Answer: drug induced changes in
functioning of nerve cells
◉ psychopharmacology. Answer: drug induced changes in
behavioral responding
◉ neuropsychopharmacology. Answer: drug induced changes in the
function of select neurons that influence specific behaviors
◉ drug action. Answer: molecular changes within cells produced by
the drug binding to a particular target site or receptor on those cells
◉ drug effects. Answer: molecular changes within or between cells
that lead to alterations in the physiological or psychological function
(the changes that occur)
◉ therapeutic effects. Answer: drug/receptor interactions that
produce the DESIRED physiologic and or behavioral effect
,◉ side effects. Answer: all other drug effects varying from annoying
to dangerous
◉ specific drug effects. Answer: due to physical/biochemical
interaction of the drug with a target
◉ non-specific effect. Answer: not based on drug target interactions
- due to characteristics of individual
-influenced by experience, mood, expectations, attitude
-may be due to varied neurochemical state of individual at time of
exposure
-unique to a persons physiology and can alter how affective a drug is
◉ pharmacokinetic factors determine drug action. Answer: chemical
structure, dose, bioavailability, stomach acidity, antacids, food load
◉ enteric coated formulations. Answer: used for drugs activated by
low pH
◉ buffered formulations. Answer: used for drugs that increase
stomach acidity
◉ absorption. Answer: movement of drug from site of
administration to the blood circulation
, influence by route of administration and drug liberation factors
◉ PO - oral administration. Answer: most popular, safe, economical,
comfortable
must dissolve in stomach and pass through stomach wall to reach
blood capillaries
◉ PO absorption is influenced by. Answer: amount and type of food.
(large amounts or fatty foods slow drug movement)
◉ First pass effect. Answer: PO drugs absorbed into blood stream go
directly to liver where metabolism reduces amount of drug available
to general circulation
◉ IV - intravenous administration. Answer: most rapid and accurate
method - circumvents stomach and first pass effect
produces quick onset of drug effect
◉ problems with IV. Answer: 1. quick onset = reaches brain instantly,
little room for correction.
2. sterility of injection equipment/lack thereof
3. dissolving of illicit drugs in fillers that are hazardous
AND ANSWERS 2026
◉ neuropharmacology. Answer: drug induced changes in
functioning of nerve cells
◉ psychopharmacology. Answer: drug induced changes in
behavioral responding
◉ neuropsychopharmacology. Answer: drug induced changes in the
function of select neurons that influence specific behaviors
◉ drug action. Answer: molecular changes within cells produced by
the drug binding to a particular target site or receptor on those cells
◉ drug effects. Answer: molecular changes within or between cells
that lead to alterations in the physiological or psychological function
(the changes that occur)
◉ therapeutic effects. Answer: drug/receptor interactions that
produce the DESIRED physiologic and or behavioral effect
,◉ side effects. Answer: all other drug effects varying from annoying
to dangerous
◉ specific drug effects. Answer: due to physical/biochemical
interaction of the drug with a target
◉ non-specific effect. Answer: not based on drug target interactions
- due to characteristics of individual
-influenced by experience, mood, expectations, attitude
-may be due to varied neurochemical state of individual at time of
exposure
-unique to a persons physiology and can alter how affective a drug is
◉ pharmacokinetic factors determine drug action. Answer: chemical
structure, dose, bioavailability, stomach acidity, antacids, food load
◉ enteric coated formulations. Answer: used for drugs activated by
low pH
◉ buffered formulations. Answer: used for drugs that increase
stomach acidity
◉ absorption. Answer: movement of drug from site of
administration to the blood circulation
, influence by route of administration and drug liberation factors
◉ PO - oral administration. Answer: most popular, safe, economical,
comfortable
must dissolve in stomach and pass through stomach wall to reach
blood capillaries
◉ PO absorption is influenced by. Answer: amount and type of food.
(large amounts or fatty foods slow drug movement)
◉ First pass effect. Answer: PO drugs absorbed into blood stream go
directly to liver where metabolism reduces amount of drug available
to general circulation
◉ IV - intravenous administration. Answer: most rapid and accurate
method - circumvents stomach and first pass effect
produces quick onset of drug effect
◉ problems with IV. Answer: 1. quick onset = reaches brain instantly,
little room for correction.
2. sterility of injection equipment/lack thereof
3. dissolving of illicit drugs in fillers that are hazardous
