NSG 552 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
CERTIFICATION EXAM QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026
▶ Naltrexone can be used for? Answer:both ETOH and opioid use
disorders
▶ What does naltrexone do? Answer:Reduces desire/cravings, First line
treatment, Will precipitate withdrawal in patients with physical opioid
dependence
▶ First line treatment in maintaining abstinence after detox?
Answer:acamprosate
▶ acamprosate can be used? Answer:in liver disease- not metabolized by
the liver (not impacted by ETOH use). Can be administered to patients with
hepatitis, liver disease, and those who continue drinking alcohol
▶ acamprosate Contraindicated in? Answer:severe renal disease
▶ acamprosate helps with? Answer:Decreasing cravings
▶ ETOH 2nd line treatment? Answer:disulfiram (Antabuse)
▶ disulfiram (Antabuse) causes? Answer:aversion reaction to ETOH
(flushing, headaches, n/v, palpitation, SOB, vertigo, hypotension)
▶ disulfiram (Antabuse) Do not? Answer:administer until the person has
been alcohol free at least 12 hours
▶ disulfiram (Antabuse) MOA? Answer:Blocks enzyme (aldehyde
dehydrogenase) in the liver
, ▶ ETOH withdrawal- Benzos? Answer:To keep patient calm and lightly
sedated
▶ Benzos MOA? Answer:Enhance the effects of GABA
▶ Meds used in mild alcohol withdrawal? Answer:Tegretol, Valproic or
Gabapentin
▶ ETHO meds for nutritional deficiencies? Answer:Thiamine, folic acid, and
multivitamin - 'Banana bag'
▶ Wernicke's encephalopathy treatment? Answer:Parenteral Thiamine and
Folate
▶ Wernicke's encephalopathy cause? Answer:B1 deficiency
▶ Cocaine mechanism? Answer:reuptake of dopamine, epinephrine, and
NE = Stimulant effect
▶ Cocaine effects on the body? Answer:has vasoconstrictive effects = can
cause MI, stroke
▶ Cocaine treatment options? Answer:NO FDA approved med; Off-label =
naltrexone, modafinil, Topamax
▶ Antabuse in cocaine use disorder? Answer:increase synaptic dopamine
in the brain reward circuit and act as an agonist treatment in the setting of
cocaine use disorder
▶ Medications for cocaine-induced chest pain? Answer:nitroglycerin &
aspirin = No metoprolol
▶ Amphetamine treatment? Answer:Rehydrate, correct electrolyte, and
treat hyperthermia
▶ PCP symptoms of intoxication? Answer:Nystagmus
▶ Sedatives intoxication treatment? Answer:Benzos = Flumazenil in OD
(Benzo antagonist)
CERTIFICATION EXAM QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026
▶ Naltrexone can be used for? Answer:both ETOH and opioid use
disorders
▶ What does naltrexone do? Answer:Reduces desire/cravings, First line
treatment, Will precipitate withdrawal in patients with physical opioid
dependence
▶ First line treatment in maintaining abstinence after detox?
Answer:acamprosate
▶ acamprosate can be used? Answer:in liver disease- not metabolized by
the liver (not impacted by ETOH use). Can be administered to patients with
hepatitis, liver disease, and those who continue drinking alcohol
▶ acamprosate Contraindicated in? Answer:severe renal disease
▶ acamprosate helps with? Answer:Decreasing cravings
▶ ETOH 2nd line treatment? Answer:disulfiram (Antabuse)
▶ disulfiram (Antabuse) causes? Answer:aversion reaction to ETOH
(flushing, headaches, n/v, palpitation, SOB, vertigo, hypotension)
▶ disulfiram (Antabuse) Do not? Answer:administer until the person has
been alcohol free at least 12 hours
▶ disulfiram (Antabuse) MOA? Answer:Blocks enzyme (aldehyde
dehydrogenase) in the liver
, ▶ ETOH withdrawal- Benzos? Answer:To keep patient calm and lightly
sedated
▶ Benzos MOA? Answer:Enhance the effects of GABA
▶ Meds used in mild alcohol withdrawal? Answer:Tegretol, Valproic or
Gabapentin
▶ ETHO meds for nutritional deficiencies? Answer:Thiamine, folic acid, and
multivitamin - 'Banana bag'
▶ Wernicke's encephalopathy treatment? Answer:Parenteral Thiamine and
Folate
▶ Wernicke's encephalopathy cause? Answer:B1 deficiency
▶ Cocaine mechanism? Answer:reuptake of dopamine, epinephrine, and
NE = Stimulant effect
▶ Cocaine effects on the body? Answer:has vasoconstrictive effects = can
cause MI, stroke
▶ Cocaine treatment options? Answer:NO FDA approved med; Off-label =
naltrexone, modafinil, Topamax
▶ Antabuse in cocaine use disorder? Answer:increase synaptic dopamine
in the brain reward circuit and act as an agonist treatment in the setting of
cocaine use disorder
▶ Medications for cocaine-induced chest pain? Answer:nitroglycerin &
aspirin = No metoprolol
▶ Amphetamine treatment? Answer:Rehydrate, correct electrolyte, and
treat hyperthermia
▶ PCP symptoms of intoxication? Answer:Nystagmus
▶ Sedatives intoxication treatment? Answer:Benzos = Flumazenil in OD
(Benzo antagonist)
