PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
2026
▶ Dementia? Answer:Group of disorders characterized by gradual
development of cognitive deficits.
▶ Alzheimer's disease (AD)? Answer:Most common type of dementia;
gradual progressive decline affecting memory, learning and language.
▶ Apraxia? Answer:Inability to perform previously learned tasks.
▶ Aphasia? Answer:Difficulty with speech.
▶ Agnosia? Answer:Inability to recognize an object.
▶ Vascular disease dementia? Answer:2nd most common type of
dementia; cognitive decline secondary to large vessel strokes.
▶ Vascular disease Risk factors? Answer:HTN, DM, Smoking, obesity,
HLD, A-fib, Age.
▶ Frontotemporal degeneration (FTD)? Answer:Caused by atrophy of the
frontal and temporal lobes, 40% familial.
▶ Frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) symptoms? Answer:Disinhibition
(verbal, physical sexual), Difficulty with speech and comprehension
▶ Dementia Treatment Options? Answer:Cholinesterase inhibitors:
Galantimine (Razadyne), Donepezil (Aricept), Rivastigmine (Exelon)
▶ Donepezil (Aricept) side effects? Answer:diarrhea, weight loss, abnormal
dreams, insomnia, dizziness
, ▶ Rivastigmine (Exelon)? Answer:This dementia treatment option has the
Highest GI side effects, is used for mild-moderate AD & Parkinson's
disease dementia or NCD
▶ Galantimine (Razadyne)? Answer:This dementia med is used for mild-
moderate NCD with Twice daily dosing
▶ Rivastigmine (Exelon) transdermal patch? Answer:This dementia med
has a Transdermal patch available - daily form with fewer side effects
▶ SSRIs? Answer:For dementia mood symptoms use
▶ Atypical antipsychotics for dementia? Answer:For dementia
Aggression/Agitation/Psychosis symptoms use: Black box warning for
antipsychotic use in dementia patients= ↑ risk of death = low doses for
short periods if necessary
▶ Atypical antipsychotics to use for dementia? Answer:1. Olanzapine
(zyprexa), 2. quetiapine, 3. risperidone
▶ Benzos in dementia? Answer:Reserve Benzos for short term and acute
episodes
▶ NMDA receptor antagonist for dementia? Answer:Memantine (Namenda)
▶ Memantine (Namenda) MOA? Answer:Promotes synaptic plasticity
▶ Memantine (Namenda) usage? Answer:Used for Moderate - severe
disease, Fewer side effects as compared to the cholinesterase inhibitors,
May be used in conjunction with cholinesterase inhibitors
▶ Namzric (Mamantine/Donepezil) side effects? Answer:may cause
hallucinations
▶ Normal Aging in Geriatric Psychopharmacology? Answer:Decreased
protein levels = more free meds in the body = risk for toxicity
▶ Mirtazapine (remeron)? Answer:In the elderly, consider using for MDD w/
symptoms of insomnia and decreased appetite
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
2026
▶ Dementia? Answer:Group of disorders characterized by gradual
development of cognitive deficits.
▶ Alzheimer's disease (AD)? Answer:Most common type of dementia;
gradual progressive decline affecting memory, learning and language.
▶ Apraxia? Answer:Inability to perform previously learned tasks.
▶ Aphasia? Answer:Difficulty with speech.
▶ Agnosia? Answer:Inability to recognize an object.
▶ Vascular disease dementia? Answer:2nd most common type of
dementia; cognitive decline secondary to large vessel strokes.
▶ Vascular disease Risk factors? Answer:HTN, DM, Smoking, obesity,
HLD, A-fib, Age.
▶ Frontotemporal degeneration (FTD)? Answer:Caused by atrophy of the
frontal and temporal lobes, 40% familial.
▶ Frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) symptoms? Answer:Disinhibition
(verbal, physical sexual), Difficulty with speech and comprehension
▶ Dementia Treatment Options? Answer:Cholinesterase inhibitors:
Galantimine (Razadyne), Donepezil (Aricept), Rivastigmine (Exelon)
▶ Donepezil (Aricept) side effects? Answer:diarrhea, weight loss, abnormal
dreams, insomnia, dizziness
, ▶ Rivastigmine (Exelon)? Answer:This dementia treatment option has the
Highest GI side effects, is used for mild-moderate AD & Parkinson's
disease dementia or NCD
▶ Galantimine (Razadyne)? Answer:This dementia med is used for mild-
moderate NCD with Twice daily dosing
▶ Rivastigmine (Exelon) transdermal patch? Answer:This dementia med
has a Transdermal patch available - daily form with fewer side effects
▶ SSRIs? Answer:For dementia mood symptoms use
▶ Atypical antipsychotics for dementia? Answer:For dementia
Aggression/Agitation/Psychosis symptoms use: Black box warning for
antipsychotic use in dementia patients= ↑ risk of death = low doses for
short periods if necessary
▶ Atypical antipsychotics to use for dementia? Answer:1. Olanzapine
(zyprexa), 2. quetiapine, 3. risperidone
▶ Benzos in dementia? Answer:Reserve Benzos for short term and acute
episodes
▶ NMDA receptor antagonist for dementia? Answer:Memantine (Namenda)
▶ Memantine (Namenda) MOA? Answer:Promotes synaptic plasticity
▶ Memantine (Namenda) usage? Answer:Used for Moderate - severe
disease, Fewer side effects as compared to the cholinesterase inhibitors,
May be used in conjunction with cholinesterase inhibitors
▶ Namzric (Mamantine/Donepezil) side effects? Answer:may cause
hallucinations
▶ Normal Aging in Geriatric Psychopharmacology? Answer:Decreased
protein levels = more free meds in the body = risk for toxicity
▶ Mirtazapine (remeron)? Answer:In the elderly, consider using for MDD w/
symptoms of insomnia and decreased appetite
