NURS 660 EXAM 1:
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY OVERVIEW
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
VERIFIED.
Hyperprolactemia - ANS Higher-than-normal prolactin levels, which may result in
spontaneous breastmilk production and amenorrhea.
Hyperprolactinemia causes - ANS -adenoma
-drugs (SSRI, antipsychotics, cocaine)
-hypothyroidism
-mass effect
-trauma
Hyperprolactinemia Tx - ANS dopamine agonists (cabergoline, bromocriptine)
D2 receptor benefit - ANS Improves positive symptoms
Postural hypotension (orthostatic hypotension) - ANS alpha 1 adrenergic side effect
Sedation - ANS Histamine H1 side effect
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,What receptors are involved in weight gain? - ANS 5HT2C weight changes + H1 sedation
alpha 1 adrenergic receptor side effects - ANS Orthostatic hypotension
Reflex tachycardia
Dizziness
alpha 2 adrenergic receptors side effect - ANS -Modulates alpha tone
-Counter regulatory for alpha-1 stimulation
-Inhibits norepinephrine
Risk of drug interactions
muscarinic receptors side effect - ANS are normally activated by acetylcholine
ANS response
blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, tachycardia, memory
D2 antagonism side effects - ANS receptors involved in dopamine transmission
decrease limbic activity
EPS, TD,
endocrine effects-prolactin secretion, sexual dysfunction
increase reward seeking behaviors
5HT2A receptors benefit - ANS Decreased EPS
5HT2C benefit - ANS unknown
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, Histamine H1 - ANS Sedation
muscarinic receptor benefit - ANS Decrease EPS
alpha 1 adrenergic receptor benefit - ANS unknown
alpha 2 adrenergic benefit - ANS unknown
What do all antipsychotics have in common? - ANS They reduce dopaminergic
neurotransmission.
CYP 450 inducers - ANS Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Rifampin, Griseofulvin
CYP450 inhibitors - ANS CRACK AMIGOS: Cimetidine, Ritonavir (protease inhibitor),
Amiodarone, Ciprofloxacin, Ketoconazole (and other azoles), Acute alcohol use, Macrolides,
Isoniazid, Grapefruit Juice, Omeprazole, Sulfonamides
Volume of distribution (Vd) - ANS A ratio used to estimate the distribution of a drug within
the body relative to the total amount of fluid in the body. It is calculated as the amount of drug
administered divided by the plasma concentration of the drug.
Bioavailability - ANS A measure of the extent of drug absorption for a given drug and route
(from 0% to 100%).
Pharmacokinetics - ANS The method by which drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized,
and eliminated or excreted by the body.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 26
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY OVERVIEW
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
VERIFIED.
Hyperprolactemia - ANS Higher-than-normal prolactin levels, which may result in
spontaneous breastmilk production and amenorrhea.
Hyperprolactinemia causes - ANS -adenoma
-drugs (SSRI, antipsychotics, cocaine)
-hypothyroidism
-mass effect
-trauma
Hyperprolactinemia Tx - ANS dopamine agonists (cabergoline, bromocriptine)
D2 receptor benefit - ANS Improves positive symptoms
Postural hypotension (orthostatic hypotension) - ANS alpha 1 adrenergic side effect
Sedation - ANS Histamine H1 side effect
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 26
,What receptors are involved in weight gain? - ANS 5HT2C weight changes + H1 sedation
alpha 1 adrenergic receptor side effects - ANS Orthostatic hypotension
Reflex tachycardia
Dizziness
alpha 2 adrenergic receptors side effect - ANS -Modulates alpha tone
-Counter regulatory for alpha-1 stimulation
-Inhibits norepinephrine
Risk of drug interactions
muscarinic receptors side effect - ANS are normally activated by acetylcholine
ANS response
blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, tachycardia, memory
D2 antagonism side effects - ANS receptors involved in dopamine transmission
decrease limbic activity
EPS, TD,
endocrine effects-prolactin secretion, sexual dysfunction
increase reward seeking behaviors
5HT2A receptors benefit - ANS Decreased EPS
5HT2C benefit - ANS unknown
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 26
, Histamine H1 - ANS Sedation
muscarinic receptor benefit - ANS Decrease EPS
alpha 1 adrenergic receptor benefit - ANS unknown
alpha 2 adrenergic benefit - ANS unknown
What do all antipsychotics have in common? - ANS They reduce dopaminergic
neurotransmission.
CYP 450 inducers - ANS Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Rifampin, Griseofulvin
CYP450 inhibitors - ANS CRACK AMIGOS: Cimetidine, Ritonavir (protease inhibitor),
Amiodarone, Ciprofloxacin, Ketoconazole (and other azoles), Acute alcohol use, Macrolides,
Isoniazid, Grapefruit Juice, Omeprazole, Sulfonamides
Volume of distribution (Vd) - ANS A ratio used to estimate the distribution of a drug within
the body relative to the total amount of fluid in the body. It is calculated as the amount of drug
administered divided by the plasma concentration of the drug.
Bioavailability - ANS A measure of the extent of drug absorption for a given drug and route
(from 0% to 100%).
Pharmacokinetics - ANS The method by which drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized,
and eliminated or excreted by the body.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 26
