NR 546 Final Exam Mastery: 150 Multiple-Answer Questions with Correct Answers and Explanations Covering Neurotransmission, Antidepressants, Antipsychotics, Mood Stabilizers, Anxiolytics, ADHD Medications, Substance Use Disorders, CYP Enzymes, and Spec

NR 546 Final Exam Mastery: 150 Multiple-Answer Questions with
Correct Answers and Explanations Covering Neurotransmission,
Antidepressants, Antipsychotics, Mood Stabilizers, Anxiolytics,
ADHD Medications, Substance Use Disorders, CYP Enzymes, and
Special Populations.




Questions 1–150

Neurotransmission & Neuroanatomy (1–20)
1. Which neurotransmitters are primarily involved in the
pathophysiology of major depressive disorder?
A) Dopamine
B) Serotonin
C) Norepinephrine
D) Acetylcholine
Correct Answers: A, B, C
Explanation: The monoamine hypothesis of depression involves
deficits in serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Acetylcholine
is more involved in cognition and Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Which receptors are ionotropic?
A) GABA-A
B) NMDA
C) D2
D) 5-HT2A
Correct Answers: A, B

,Explanation: GABA-A and NMDA are ligand-gated ion channels
(fast). D2 and 5-HT2A are G-protein-coupled receptors
(metabotropic, slower).

3. Dopamine pathways and their functions include:
A) Mesolimbic – reward, positive symptoms of psychosis
B) Nigrostriatal – motor control
C) Tuberoinfundibular – prolactin inhibition
D) Mesocortical – executive function, negative symptoms
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D
Explanation: All four major dopamine pathways are correct.
Mesolimbic overactivity → positive symptoms. Mesocortical
underactivity → negative/cognitive symptoms.

4. Autoreceptors serve which functions?
A) Inhibit neurotransmitter release when activated
B) Are located on presynaptic neurons
C) Include D2, 5-HT1A, and α2
D) Increase postsynaptic excitation
Correct Answers: A, B, C
Explanation: Autoreceptors are presynaptic and inhibit further
release. They do not increase postsynaptic excitation; that is
heteroreceptor function.

5. The locus coeruleus is the primary source of:
A) Dopamine
B) Serotonin
C) Norepinephrine
D) GABA
Correct Answers: C
Explanation: Locus coeruleus projects norepinephrine throughout

,the CNS. Raphe nuclei → serotonin. Substantia nigra/VTA →
dopamine.

6. Serotonin is synthesized from which amino acid?
A) Tyrosine
B) Tryptophan
C) Glutamine
D) Phenylalanine
Correct Answers: B
Explanation: Tryptophan → 5-HTP → serotonin. Tyrosine → DOPA →
dopamine → norepinephrine.

7. Which receptors are commonly blocked by antipsychotics to
reduce positive symptoms?
A) D2
B) 5-HT2A
C) GABA-A
D) NMDA
Correct Answers: A, B
Explanation: D2 blockade reduces positive symptoms; 5-HT2A
blockade (in SGAs) further reduces negative symptoms and lowers
EPS risk.

8. GABA-A receptor activation leads to:
A) Chloride influx
B) Neuronal hyperpolarization
C) Excitatory effect
D) Sedation and anxiolysis
Correct Answers: A, B, D
Explanation: GABA-A is inhibitory; Cl- influx → hyperpolarization →
sedation, anxiolysis, anticonvulsant effects.

, 9. Which neurotransmitters are degraded by MAO-A?
A) Serotonin
B) Norepinephrine
C) Dopamine
D) GABA
Correct Answers: A, B, C
Explanation: MAO-A degrades 5-HT, NE, DA. MAO-B degrades DA
primarily. GABA is degraded by GABA-T.

10. Glutamate acts on which receptors?
A) NMDA
B) AMPA
C) Kainate
D) GABA-B
Correct Answers: A, B, C
Explanation: Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter
acting on NMDA, AMPA, and kainate receptors. GABA-B is for
GABA.

11. The tuberoinfundibular pathway regulates:
A) Motor movement
B) Prolactin secretion
C) Reward
D) Cognition
Correct Answers: B
Explanation: Tuberoinfundibular (hypothalamus to pituitary)
inhibits prolactin release via D2 receptors. Blockade →
hyperprolactinemia.

12. α2 adrenergic receptors when activated:
A) Inhibit norepinephrine release