NSG552 Psychopharmacology Exam 1 Questions and Answers with Explanations | Latest
Update Wilkes University
1. Which term describes what the body does to a drug, including absorption,
distribution, metabolism, and excretion?
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacogenomics
C. Pharmacokinetics
D. Pharmacotherapeutics
Answer: C
Explanation: Pharmacokinetics refers to the movement of drugs through the body
(ADME), whereas pharmacodynamics is what the drug does to the body.
2. A drug that binds to a receptor and activates a biological response is known
as:
A. Antagonist
B. Agonist
C. Inverse Agonist
D. Partial Agonist
Answer: B
Explanation: An agonist binds to a receptor and stimulates a response. An antagonist
blocks the response.
,3. Which cytochrome P450 enzyme is responsible for metabolizing
approximately 50% of all clinically used medications?
A. CYP2D6
B. CYP1A2
C. CYP3A4
D. CYP2C19
Answer: C
Explanation: CYP3A4 is the most abundant CYP enzyme and metabolizes about half of all
prescribed drugs.
4. How many half-lives are generally required for a drug to reach a steady state
in the plasma?
A. 1 to 2
B. 12 to 15
C. 7 to 10
D. 4 to 5
Answer: D
Explanation: It takes approximately 4 to 5 half-lives for a drug’s plasma concentration to
reach steady state.
5. Which dopamine pathway is associated with the positive symptoms of
schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions?
A. Mesocortical pathway
B. Nigrostriatal pathway
C. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
D. Mesolimbic pathway
Answer: D
, Explanation: Overactivity in the mesolimbic pathway is theorized to cause positive
symptoms of schizophrenia.
6. Blockade of dopamine in which pathway is responsible for Extrapyramidal
Side Effects (EPS)?
A. Nigrostriatal pathway
B. Mesocortical pathway
C. Mesolimbic pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: A
Explanation: The nigrostriatal pathway controls motor movement; blockade here leads to
EPS and tardive dyskinesia.
7. Which dopamine pathway is associated with increased prolactin levels when
D2 receptors are blocked?
A. Mesolimbic
B. Nigrostriatal
C. Tuberoinfundibular
D. Mesocortical
Answer: C
Explanation: The tuberoinfundibular pathway regulates prolactin secretion. Blocking D2
receptors here leads to hyperprolactinemia.
Update Wilkes University
1. Which term describes what the body does to a drug, including absorption,
distribution, metabolism, and excretion?
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacogenomics
C. Pharmacokinetics
D. Pharmacotherapeutics
Answer: C
Explanation: Pharmacokinetics refers to the movement of drugs through the body
(ADME), whereas pharmacodynamics is what the drug does to the body.
2. A drug that binds to a receptor and activates a biological response is known
as:
A. Antagonist
B. Agonist
C. Inverse Agonist
D. Partial Agonist
Answer: B
Explanation: An agonist binds to a receptor and stimulates a response. An antagonist
blocks the response.
,3. Which cytochrome P450 enzyme is responsible for metabolizing
approximately 50% of all clinically used medications?
A. CYP2D6
B. CYP1A2
C. CYP3A4
D. CYP2C19
Answer: C
Explanation: CYP3A4 is the most abundant CYP enzyme and metabolizes about half of all
prescribed drugs.
4. How many half-lives are generally required for a drug to reach a steady state
in the plasma?
A. 1 to 2
B. 12 to 15
C. 7 to 10
D. 4 to 5
Answer: D
Explanation: It takes approximately 4 to 5 half-lives for a drug’s plasma concentration to
reach steady state.
5. Which dopamine pathway is associated with the positive symptoms of
schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions?
A. Mesocortical pathway
B. Nigrostriatal pathway
C. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
D. Mesolimbic pathway
Answer: D
, Explanation: Overactivity in the mesolimbic pathway is theorized to cause positive
symptoms of schizophrenia.
6. Blockade of dopamine in which pathway is responsible for Extrapyramidal
Side Effects (EPS)?
A. Nigrostriatal pathway
B. Mesocortical pathway
C. Mesolimbic pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: A
Explanation: The nigrostriatal pathway controls motor movement; blockade here leads to
EPS and tardive dyskinesia.
7. Which dopamine pathway is associated with increased prolactin levels when
D2 receptors are blocked?
A. Mesolimbic
B. Nigrostriatal
C. Tuberoinfundibular
D. Mesocortical
Answer: C
Explanation: The tuberoinfundibular pathway regulates prolactin secretion. Blocking D2
receptors here leads to hyperprolactinemia.
