NSG 552 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY —
COMPLETE 150-QUESTION MASTER EXAM
Wilkes University | Exams 1, 2 & 3 Combined |
2026/2027 Questions with Answers & Rationales
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS (Questions 1-25)
Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Neurotransmitters,
CYP450, Principles
1. The study of what the body does to a drug, including absorption,
distribution, metabolism, and excretion, is known as:
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacokinetics
C. Psychopharmacology
D. Pharmacogenomics
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics describes how the body processes a
drug—specifically its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and
excretion (ADME). Pharmacodynamics studies what the drug does
to the body.
2. A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a full biologic
response is called a(n):
A. Antagonist
B. Partial agonist
C. Agonist
D. Inverse agonist
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An agonist binds to a receptor and fully activates it,
producing the maximum biologic response. A partial agonist
produces only a partial response even at full receptor occupancy.
3. A drug that binds to a receptor and blocks it, preventing a
biologic response, is called a(n):
A. Agonist
B. Partial agonist
C. Antagonist
D. Inverse agonist
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An antagonist binds to a receptor without activating it,
thereby blocking agonists from binding and preventing a biologic
response.
4. The primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous
system is:
A. GABA
B. Glutamate
C. Dopamine
D. Serotonin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in
the CNS, functioning as the "on switch" for neuronal activity.
Excessive glutamate can cause excitotoxicity.
5. The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous
system that induces calmness and relaxation is:
A. Glutamate
,B. Dopamine
C. Serotonin
D. GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter, acting as
the "off switch" to reduce neuronal excitability. Benzodiazepines
and barbiturates enhance GABA activity.
6. Serotonin is synthesized from which amino acid and in which
brain region?
A. Tyrosine; substantia nigra
B. Tryptophan; Raphe nuclei
C. Glutamate; cerebellum
D. Choline; basal forebrain
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: Serotonin (5-HT) is synthesized from the amino acid
tryptophan primarily in the Raphe nuclei of the brainstem. It
regulates mood, anxiety, sleep, and appetite.*
7. Norepinephrine is synthesized in which brain region?
A. Raphe nuclei
B. Locus coeruleus
C. Substantia nigra
D. Ventral tegmental area
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Norepinephrine is produced in the locus coeruleus and
is critical for attention, arousal, mood, and the stress response.
, 8. The four major dopamine pathways in the brain are:
A. Mesolimbic, Mesocortical, Nigrostriatal, Tuberoinfundibular
B. Mesolimbic, Mesocortical, Hypothalamic, Cerebellar
C. Nigrostriatal, Tuberoinfundibular, Thalamic, Cortical
D. Mesolimbic, Nigrostriatal, Amygdaloid, Hippocampal
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The four dopamine pathways are: Mesolimbic (positive
symptoms, reward), Mesocortical (negative/cognitive symptoms),
Nigrostriatal (motor control/EPS), and Tuberoinfundibular
(prolactin regulation).
9. Increased dopamine in which pathway is associated with positive
symptoms of schizophrenia (hallucinations, delusions)?
A. Mesocortical
B. Nigrostriatal
C. Mesolimbic
D. Tuberoinfundibular
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperactivity of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway is
linked to positive symptoms of psychosis. Antipsychotics block D2
receptors in this pathway.
10. Decreased dopamine in which pathway produces
extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and tardive dyskinesia?
A. Mesolimbic
B. Mesocortical
C. Nigrostriatal
D. Tuberoinfundibular
COMPLETE 150-QUESTION MASTER EXAM
Wilkes University | Exams 1, 2 & 3 Combined |
2026/2027 Questions with Answers & Rationales
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS (Questions 1-25)
Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Neurotransmitters,
CYP450, Principles
1. The study of what the body does to a drug, including absorption,
distribution, metabolism, and excretion, is known as:
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacokinetics
C. Psychopharmacology
D. Pharmacogenomics
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics describes how the body processes a
drug—specifically its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and
excretion (ADME). Pharmacodynamics studies what the drug does
to the body.
2. A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a full biologic
response is called a(n):
A. Antagonist
B. Partial agonist
C. Agonist
D. Inverse agonist
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An agonist binds to a receptor and fully activates it,
producing the maximum biologic response. A partial agonist
produces only a partial response even at full receptor occupancy.
3. A drug that binds to a receptor and blocks it, preventing a
biologic response, is called a(n):
A. Agonist
B. Partial agonist
C. Antagonist
D. Inverse agonist
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An antagonist binds to a receptor without activating it,
thereby blocking agonists from binding and preventing a biologic
response.
4. The primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous
system is:
A. GABA
B. Glutamate
C. Dopamine
D. Serotonin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in
the CNS, functioning as the "on switch" for neuronal activity.
Excessive glutamate can cause excitotoxicity.
5. The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous
system that induces calmness and relaxation is:
A. Glutamate
,B. Dopamine
C. Serotonin
D. GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter, acting as
the "off switch" to reduce neuronal excitability. Benzodiazepines
and barbiturates enhance GABA activity.
6. Serotonin is synthesized from which amino acid and in which
brain region?
A. Tyrosine; substantia nigra
B. Tryptophan; Raphe nuclei
C. Glutamate; cerebellum
D. Choline; basal forebrain
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: Serotonin (5-HT) is synthesized from the amino acid
tryptophan primarily in the Raphe nuclei of the brainstem. It
regulates mood, anxiety, sleep, and appetite.*
7. Norepinephrine is synthesized in which brain region?
A. Raphe nuclei
B. Locus coeruleus
C. Substantia nigra
D. Ventral tegmental area
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Norepinephrine is produced in the locus coeruleus and
is critical for attention, arousal, mood, and the stress response.
, 8. The four major dopamine pathways in the brain are:
A. Mesolimbic, Mesocortical, Nigrostriatal, Tuberoinfundibular
B. Mesolimbic, Mesocortical, Hypothalamic, Cerebellar
C. Nigrostriatal, Tuberoinfundibular, Thalamic, Cortical
D. Mesolimbic, Nigrostriatal, Amygdaloid, Hippocampal
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The four dopamine pathways are: Mesolimbic (positive
symptoms, reward), Mesocortical (negative/cognitive symptoms),
Nigrostriatal (motor control/EPS), and Tuberoinfundibular
(prolactin regulation).
9. Increased dopamine in which pathway is associated with positive
symptoms of schizophrenia (hallucinations, delusions)?
A. Mesocortical
B. Nigrostriatal
C. Mesolimbic
D. Tuberoinfundibular
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperactivity of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway is
linked to positive symptoms of psychosis. Antipsychotics block D2
receptors in this pathway.
10. Decreased dopamine in which pathway produces
extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and tardive dyskinesia?
A. Mesolimbic
B. Mesocortical
C. Nigrostriatal
D. Tuberoinfundibular
