1 Introduction
This document contains fully verified, 100% correct questions and answers NR
546 Final Exam on Psychopharmacology. Updated for the 2025/2026 academic
year, this resource is ideal for students aiming to excel in psychopharmacology
concepts, including drug mechanisms, therapeutic uses, adverse effects, and
contraindications.
2 Exam Questions and Answers
1. What is the primary mechanism of action of benzodiazepines?
A) Block dopamine receptors
B) Enhance GABAergic neurotransmission
C) Inhibit serotonin reuptake
D) Activate NMDA receptors
Rationale: Benzodiazepines enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter
GABA at the GABA-A receptor, producing sedative and anxiolytic effects.
2. Which antidepressant class is most commonly associated with weight gain?
A) SSRIs
B) MAOIs
C) SNRIs
D) Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
Rationale: TCAs often lead to weight gain due to antihistaminergic and
other receptor-mediated effects.
,3. Which medication is most likely to cause serotonin syndrome when
combined with an MAOI?
A) Lorazepam
B) Fluoxetine
C) Lithium
D) Haloperidol
Rationale: Fluoxetine, an SSRI, increases serotonin levels, which can lead to
serotonin syndrome when combined with MAOIs.
4. What is the primary therapeutic use of bupropion?
A) Anxiety disorders
B) Major depressive disorder
C) Schizophrenia
D) Bipolar mania
Rationale: Bupropion is an NDRI primarily used for MDD and smoking
cessation. It is not typically used for anxiety as it can be activating.
5. A patient on lithium reports nausea, vomiting, and a coarse tremor. What is
the most likely diagnosis?
A) Serotonin syndrome
B) Lithium toxicity
C) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
D) Akathisia
Rationale: Early signs of lithium toxicity include gastrointestinal distress
(nausea, vomiting) and worsening tremor.
6. Which antipsychotic is most associated with significant prolactin elevation?
A) Clozapine
B) Quetiapine
C) Risperidone
D) Aripiprazole
Rationale: Risperidone has a strong D2 receptor blockade in the pituitary,
leading to hyperprolactinemia.
7. What is the mechanism of action of donepezil?
A) NMDA receptor antagonist
B) Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
, C) Dopamine agonist
D) MAO-B inhibitor
Rationale: Donepezil is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used to increase
acetylcholine levels in the brain for Alzheimer's disease.
8. Which of the following is a first-line treatment for bipolar I disorder mania?
A) Fluoxetine
B) Lithium
C) Sertraline
D) Venlafaxine
Rationale: Lithium is a first-line mood stabilizer for acute mania and
maintenance therapy in bipolar disorder.
9. A patient taking valproic acid should have routine monitoring of which
laboratory value?
A) Creatinine
B) Liver function tests (LFTs)
C) Thyroid panel
D) Complete blood count (CBC)
Rationale: Valproic acid carries a black box warning for hepatotoxicity,
necessitating regular LFT monitoring.
10.Which medication is used to reverse dystonia caused by antipsychotics?
A) Flumazenil
B) Benztropine
C) Naloxone
D) Propranolol
Rationale: Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication used to treat acute
dystonic reactions.
11.What is the main concern when administering carbamazepine with oral
contraceptives?
A) Increased risk of thrombosis
B) Reduced contraceptive efficacy
C) Increased carbamazepine levels
D) Risk of serotonin syndrome
This document contains fully verified, 100% correct questions and answers NR
546 Final Exam on Psychopharmacology. Updated for the 2025/2026 academic
year, this resource is ideal for students aiming to excel in psychopharmacology
concepts, including drug mechanisms, therapeutic uses, adverse effects, and
contraindications.
2 Exam Questions and Answers
1. What is the primary mechanism of action of benzodiazepines?
A) Block dopamine receptors
B) Enhance GABAergic neurotransmission
C) Inhibit serotonin reuptake
D) Activate NMDA receptors
Rationale: Benzodiazepines enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter
GABA at the GABA-A receptor, producing sedative and anxiolytic effects.
2. Which antidepressant class is most commonly associated with weight gain?
A) SSRIs
B) MAOIs
C) SNRIs
D) Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
Rationale: TCAs often lead to weight gain due to antihistaminergic and
other receptor-mediated effects.
,3. Which medication is most likely to cause serotonin syndrome when
combined with an MAOI?
A) Lorazepam
B) Fluoxetine
C) Lithium
D) Haloperidol
Rationale: Fluoxetine, an SSRI, increases serotonin levels, which can lead to
serotonin syndrome when combined with MAOIs.
4. What is the primary therapeutic use of bupropion?
A) Anxiety disorders
B) Major depressive disorder
C) Schizophrenia
D) Bipolar mania
Rationale: Bupropion is an NDRI primarily used for MDD and smoking
cessation. It is not typically used for anxiety as it can be activating.
5. A patient on lithium reports nausea, vomiting, and a coarse tremor. What is
the most likely diagnosis?
A) Serotonin syndrome
B) Lithium toxicity
C) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
D) Akathisia
Rationale: Early signs of lithium toxicity include gastrointestinal distress
(nausea, vomiting) and worsening tremor.
6. Which antipsychotic is most associated with significant prolactin elevation?
A) Clozapine
B) Quetiapine
C) Risperidone
D) Aripiprazole
Rationale: Risperidone has a strong D2 receptor blockade in the pituitary,
leading to hyperprolactinemia.
7. What is the mechanism of action of donepezil?
A) NMDA receptor antagonist
B) Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
, C) Dopamine agonist
D) MAO-B inhibitor
Rationale: Donepezil is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used to increase
acetylcholine levels in the brain for Alzheimer's disease.
8. Which of the following is a first-line treatment for bipolar I disorder mania?
A) Fluoxetine
B) Lithium
C) Sertraline
D) Venlafaxine
Rationale: Lithium is a first-line mood stabilizer for acute mania and
maintenance therapy in bipolar disorder.
9. A patient taking valproic acid should have routine monitoring of which
laboratory value?
A) Creatinine
B) Liver function tests (LFTs)
C) Thyroid panel
D) Complete blood count (CBC)
Rationale: Valproic acid carries a black box warning for hepatotoxicity,
necessitating regular LFT monitoring.
10.Which medication is used to reverse dystonia caused by antipsychotics?
A) Flumazenil
B) Benztropine
C) Naloxone
D) Propranolol
Rationale: Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication used to treat acute
dystonic reactions.
11.What is the main concern when administering carbamazepine with oral
contraceptives?
A) Increased risk of thrombosis
B) Reduced contraceptive efficacy
C) Increased carbamazepine levels
D) Risk of serotonin syndrome
