WGU D345 (NURS 6438
PSCHOPHARMACOLOGY) OBJECTIVE
ASSESSMENT ACTUAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE
2025/2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS BANK AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES || 100% GUARANTEED PASS
<RECENT VERSION>
1. Neurotransmitters - ANSWER ✓ Chemical messengers that transmit signals
across synapses between neurons, playing crucial roles in various
physiological and psychological processes.
2. Dopamine - ANSWER ✓ A neurotransmitter involved in reward,
motivation, and motor control, primarily produced in the substantia nigra
and ventral tegmental area.
3. Serotonin - ANSWER ✓ A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite,
and sleep, mainly produced in the raphe nucleus.
4. Norepinephrine - ANSWER ✓ A neurotransmitter that affects attention and
responding actions in the brain, produced in the locus ceruleus of the pons.
5. Epinephrine - ANSWER ✓ A hormone and neurotransmitter that prepares
the body for fight-or-flight responses, produced by the adrenal glands.
6. Acetylcholine - ANSWER ✓ A neurotransmitter that plays a key role in
muscle activation and memory, synthesized by the Basal Nucleus of
Meynart.
,7. Neuron - ANSWER ✓ The basic structural and functional unit of the
nervous system, responsible for transmitting information throughout the
body.
8. G-Protein Linked System - ANSWER ✓ A signaling mechanism in cells that
involves G-proteins, which transmit signals from receptors to target
molecules inside the cell.
9. Pharmacokinetics- ANSWER ✓What the body does to the drug (absorption,
distribution, metabolism, excretion) First-pass metabolism
10.Pharmacodynamics- ANSWER ✓What drugs do to the body and how they
do it.
Target sites for drug actions include receptors, ion channels, enzymes, and
carrier proteins.
11.Acetylcholine/ Cholinergic- ANSWER ✓Function: Learning, short-term
memory, arousal, reward (delirium)
Synthesized by the basal nucleus of Meynert
12.Agonist - ANSWER ✓ A substance that activates a receptor to produce a
biological response.
13.Antagonist - ANSWER ✓ A substance that blocks or dampens the biological
response by binding to a receptor without activating it.
14.Partial Agonist - ANSWER ✓ A substance that activates a receptor but
produces a weaker response compared to a full agonist.
15.Inverse Agonist - ANSWER ✓ A substance that binds to a receptor and
induces the opposite effect of an agonist.
16.Medications for Neurocognitive Disorders - ANSWER ✓ Drugs used to
manage symptoms of neurocognitive disorders, including Namenda and
Aricept.
17.Stimulants - ANSWER ✓ Medications used to treat ADHD, with specific
age guidelines and contraindications.
,18.Vyvanse - ANSWER ✓ A stimulant medication used for ADHD, designed
to have a lower potential for abuse.
19.Non-Stimulant ADHD Treatments - ANSWER ✓ Alternative medications
for ADHD that do not have stimulant properties, such as guanfacine and
clonidine.
20.Mania-Inducing Medications - ANSWER ✓ Medications that can trigger
manic episodes, including stimulants and certain antidepressants.
21.Depression-Inducing Medications - ANSWER ✓ Medications that may
cause or exacerbate depressive symptoms in some individuals.
22.Ketamine - ANSWER ✓ A medication used for treatment-resistant
depression, known for its rapid antidepressant effects.
23.Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) - ANSWER ✓ A non-invasive
procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain, used
for depression.
24.Antidotes - ANSWER ✓ Substances used to counteract the effects of
poisons or overdoses, such as Flumazenil for benzodiazepines and Narcan
for opiates.
25.A nurse practitioner (NP) is treating a 13-year-old patient diagnosed with
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The patient has been taking
medication for ADHD for eight months. The patient does not take any other
medications and has no significant past medical history. At a follow-up
appointment, the patient reports feeling fatigued and nauseated and has a
decrease in appetite, episodic dizziness, and dark urine. The NP observes
that the patient's skin appears jaundiced.
Which medication is the cause of these symptoms?
a. Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
b. Amphetamine (Dexedrine)
c. Atomoxetine (Strattera)
d. Guanfacine (Intuniv) - ANSWER ✓ ANS: C
, Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the most likely cause of this patient's symptoms.
Atomoxetine is associated with rare but serious cases of liver injury, which
can present with fatigue, nausea, decreased appetite, dizziness, dark urine,
and jaundice—all of which this patient is experiencing. Atomoxetine is a
selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) used for ADHD, and
while liver toxicity is uncommon, it is a known adverse effect that requires
immediate discontinuation of the medication and evaluation of liver function
tests (LFTs).
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) (option A) and amphetamine (Dexedrine)
(option B) are stimulants, which may cause appetite suppression and
dizziness, but they do not cause jaundice or liver dysfunction. Guanfacine
(Intuniv) (option D) is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, which can cause
drowsiness and dizziness, but it is not associated with liver toxicity.
Thus, atomoxetine is the most likely culprit, and the NP should immediately
discontinue the medication and order liver function tests to assess for drug-
induced liver injury.
26.A nurse practitioner (NP) treats a 46-year-old patient diagnosed with
narcolepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness. The patient is prescribed
modafinil (Provigil) 200 mg by mouth each morning. Three weeks later, the
patient calls the outpatient clinic to report that for several days they have felt
nauseated, tired, feverish, and achy all over, after which, their eyes started
itching and tearing up. Then, a day or two later, they broke out in an itchy,
patchy, red rash that has now turned into blisters. The patient also reports
significant blisters in their mouth and genital area.
What causes this adverse medication reaction?
a. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
b. Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)
c. Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP)
d. Serotonin syndrome (SS) - ANSWER ✓ ANS: B
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is the most likely adverse medication
reaction in this patient. Modafinil (Provigil) has been associated with rare
but serious cases of SJS, a life-threatening mucocutaneous reaction
characterized by flu-like symptoms, painful rash, blistering, and mucosal
involvement (mouth and genital ulcers). This patient's progression from
fever, malaise, and itching to widespread blisters and mucosal lesions is
highly suggestive of SJS.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) (option A) is a reaction to
dopamine-blocking antipsychotics, presenting with hyperthermia, muscle
rigidity, autonomic instability, and altered mental status, rather than a
PSCHOPHARMACOLOGY) OBJECTIVE
ASSESSMENT ACTUAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE
2025/2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS BANK AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES || 100% GUARANTEED PASS
<RECENT VERSION>
1. Neurotransmitters - ANSWER ✓ Chemical messengers that transmit signals
across synapses between neurons, playing crucial roles in various
physiological and psychological processes.
2. Dopamine - ANSWER ✓ A neurotransmitter involved in reward,
motivation, and motor control, primarily produced in the substantia nigra
and ventral tegmental area.
3. Serotonin - ANSWER ✓ A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite,
and sleep, mainly produced in the raphe nucleus.
4. Norepinephrine - ANSWER ✓ A neurotransmitter that affects attention and
responding actions in the brain, produced in the locus ceruleus of the pons.
5. Epinephrine - ANSWER ✓ A hormone and neurotransmitter that prepares
the body for fight-or-flight responses, produced by the adrenal glands.
6. Acetylcholine - ANSWER ✓ A neurotransmitter that plays a key role in
muscle activation and memory, synthesized by the Basal Nucleus of
Meynart.
,7. Neuron - ANSWER ✓ The basic structural and functional unit of the
nervous system, responsible for transmitting information throughout the
body.
8. G-Protein Linked System - ANSWER ✓ A signaling mechanism in cells that
involves G-proteins, which transmit signals from receptors to target
molecules inside the cell.
9. Pharmacokinetics- ANSWER ✓What the body does to the drug (absorption,
distribution, metabolism, excretion) First-pass metabolism
10.Pharmacodynamics- ANSWER ✓What drugs do to the body and how they
do it.
Target sites for drug actions include receptors, ion channels, enzymes, and
carrier proteins.
11.Acetylcholine/ Cholinergic- ANSWER ✓Function: Learning, short-term
memory, arousal, reward (delirium)
Synthesized by the basal nucleus of Meynert
12.Agonist - ANSWER ✓ A substance that activates a receptor to produce a
biological response.
13.Antagonist - ANSWER ✓ A substance that blocks or dampens the biological
response by binding to a receptor without activating it.
14.Partial Agonist - ANSWER ✓ A substance that activates a receptor but
produces a weaker response compared to a full agonist.
15.Inverse Agonist - ANSWER ✓ A substance that binds to a receptor and
induces the opposite effect of an agonist.
16.Medications for Neurocognitive Disorders - ANSWER ✓ Drugs used to
manage symptoms of neurocognitive disorders, including Namenda and
Aricept.
17.Stimulants - ANSWER ✓ Medications used to treat ADHD, with specific
age guidelines and contraindications.
,18.Vyvanse - ANSWER ✓ A stimulant medication used for ADHD, designed
to have a lower potential for abuse.
19.Non-Stimulant ADHD Treatments - ANSWER ✓ Alternative medications
for ADHD that do not have stimulant properties, such as guanfacine and
clonidine.
20.Mania-Inducing Medications - ANSWER ✓ Medications that can trigger
manic episodes, including stimulants and certain antidepressants.
21.Depression-Inducing Medications - ANSWER ✓ Medications that may
cause or exacerbate depressive symptoms in some individuals.
22.Ketamine - ANSWER ✓ A medication used for treatment-resistant
depression, known for its rapid antidepressant effects.
23.Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) - ANSWER ✓ A non-invasive
procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain, used
for depression.
24.Antidotes - ANSWER ✓ Substances used to counteract the effects of
poisons or overdoses, such as Flumazenil for benzodiazepines and Narcan
for opiates.
25.A nurse practitioner (NP) is treating a 13-year-old patient diagnosed with
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The patient has been taking
medication for ADHD for eight months. The patient does not take any other
medications and has no significant past medical history. At a follow-up
appointment, the patient reports feeling fatigued and nauseated and has a
decrease in appetite, episodic dizziness, and dark urine. The NP observes
that the patient's skin appears jaundiced.
Which medication is the cause of these symptoms?
a. Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
b. Amphetamine (Dexedrine)
c. Atomoxetine (Strattera)
d. Guanfacine (Intuniv) - ANSWER ✓ ANS: C
, Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the most likely cause of this patient's symptoms.
Atomoxetine is associated with rare but serious cases of liver injury, which
can present with fatigue, nausea, decreased appetite, dizziness, dark urine,
and jaundice—all of which this patient is experiencing. Atomoxetine is a
selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) used for ADHD, and
while liver toxicity is uncommon, it is a known adverse effect that requires
immediate discontinuation of the medication and evaluation of liver function
tests (LFTs).
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) (option A) and amphetamine (Dexedrine)
(option B) are stimulants, which may cause appetite suppression and
dizziness, but they do not cause jaundice or liver dysfunction. Guanfacine
(Intuniv) (option D) is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, which can cause
drowsiness and dizziness, but it is not associated with liver toxicity.
Thus, atomoxetine is the most likely culprit, and the NP should immediately
discontinue the medication and order liver function tests to assess for drug-
induced liver injury.
26.A nurse practitioner (NP) treats a 46-year-old patient diagnosed with
narcolepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness. The patient is prescribed
modafinil (Provigil) 200 mg by mouth each morning. Three weeks later, the
patient calls the outpatient clinic to report that for several days they have felt
nauseated, tired, feverish, and achy all over, after which, their eyes started
itching and tearing up. Then, a day or two later, they broke out in an itchy,
patchy, red rash that has now turned into blisters. The patient also reports
significant blisters in their mouth and genital area.
What causes this adverse medication reaction?
a. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
b. Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)
c. Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP)
d. Serotonin syndrome (SS) - ANSWER ✓ ANS: B
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is the most likely adverse medication
reaction in this patient. Modafinil (Provigil) has been associated with rare
but serious cases of SJS, a life-threatening mucocutaneous reaction
characterized by flu-like symptoms, painful rash, blistering, and mucosal
involvement (mouth and genital ulcers). This patient's progression from
fever, malaise, and itching to widespread blisters and mucosal lesions is
highly suggestive of SJS.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) (option A) is a reaction to
dopamine-blocking antipsychotics, presenting with hyperthermia, muscle
rigidity, autonomic instability, and altered mental status, rather than a
