NSG552 Psychopharmacology Exam 2 Study Guide 2026 – Wilkes
University
1. Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. GABA
D. Glutamate
Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs work by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin at the presynaptic neuron,
increasing its availability in the synaptic cleft.
2. What is the therapeutic reference range for Lithium in the maintenance phase
of Bipolar Disorder?
A. 0.1 - 0.5 mEq/L
B. 0.6 - 1.2 mEq/L
C. 1.5 - 2.0 mEq/L
D. 2.5 - 3.0 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: The standard therapeutic range for maintenance lithium therapy is generally
0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L; levels above 1.5 mEq/L are considered toxic.
,3. Which antidepressant is most likely to cause a hypertensive crisis when
combined with foods high in tyramine?
A. Fluoxetine (Prozac)
B. Venlafaxine (Effexor)
C. Phenelzine (Nardil)
D. Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
Answer: C
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI; inhibiting monoamine oxidase in the gut leads to high
tyramine levels, which can cause massive norepinephrine release and hypertensive crisis.
4. A patient taking Clozapine must have regular blood work to monitor for
which life-threatening side effect?
A. Nephrotoxicity
B. Hepatic failure
C. Thrombocytopenia
D. Agranulocytosis
Answer: D
Rationale: Clozapine carries a black box warning for agranulocytosis, a severe reduction in
white blood cell count, requiring ANC monitoring.
5. Which medication is considered a first-line treatment for a patient
experiencing acute dystonia after a dose of Haloperidol?
A. Lorazepam
B. Amantadine
C. Propranolol
D. Benztropine
Answer: D
Rationale: Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication used to treat extrapyramidal
symptoms like acute dystonia.
, 6. Which of the following antidepressants is contraindicated in patients with a
history of seizure disorders?
A. Sertraline
B. Escitalopram
C. Duloxetine
D. Bupropion
Answer: D
Rationale: Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold and is contraindicated in patients with
seizures or eating disorders.
7. What is the black box warning associated with Lamotrigine?
A. Liver failure
B. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
C. Aplastic anemia
D. Pancreatitis
Answer: B
Rationale: Lamotrigine can cause severe, life-threatening rashes, including Stevens-
Johnson Syndrome (SJS).
8. Which neurotransmitter’s blockade in the tuberoinfundibular pathway leads
to increased prolactin levels?
A. Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. Norepinephrine
D. Acetylcholine
Answer: B
Rationale: Dopamine normally inhibits prolactin release; blocking D2 receptors in the
tuberoinfundibular pathway increases prolactin.
University
1. Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. GABA
D. Glutamate
Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs work by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin at the presynaptic neuron,
increasing its availability in the synaptic cleft.
2. What is the therapeutic reference range for Lithium in the maintenance phase
of Bipolar Disorder?
A. 0.1 - 0.5 mEq/L
B. 0.6 - 1.2 mEq/L
C. 1.5 - 2.0 mEq/L
D. 2.5 - 3.0 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: The standard therapeutic range for maintenance lithium therapy is generally
0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L; levels above 1.5 mEq/L are considered toxic.
,3. Which antidepressant is most likely to cause a hypertensive crisis when
combined with foods high in tyramine?
A. Fluoxetine (Prozac)
B. Venlafaxine (Effexor)
C. Phenelzine (Nardil)
D. Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
Answer: C
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI; inhibiting monoamine oxidase in the gut leads to high
tyramine levels, which can cause massive norepinephrine release and hypertensive crisis.
4. A patient taking Clozapine must have regular blood work to monitor for
which life-threatening side effect?
A. Nephrotoxicity
B. Hepatic failure
C. Thrombocytopenia
D. Agranulocytosis
Answer: D
Rationale: Clozapine carries a black box warning for agranulocytosis, a severe reduction in
white blood cell count, requiring ANC monitoring.
5. Which medication is considered a first-line treatment for a patient
experiencing acute dystonia after a dose of Haloperidol?
A. Lorazepam
B. Amantadine
C. Propranolol
D. Benztropine
Answer: D
Rationale: Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication used to treat extrapyramidal
symptoms like acute dystonia.
, 6. Which of the following antidepressants is contraindicated in patients with a
history of seizure disorders?
A. Sertraline
B. Escitalopram
C. Duloxetine
D. Bupropion
Answer: D
Rationale: Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold and is contraindicated in patients with
seizures or eating disorders.
7. What is the black box warning associated with Lamotrigine?
A. Liver failure
B. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
C. Aplastic anemia
D. Pancreatitis
Answer: B
Rationale: Lamotrigine can cause severe, life-threatening rashes, including Stevens-
Johnson Syndrome (SJS).
8. Which neurotransmitter’s blockade in the tuberoinfundibular pathway leads
to increased prolactin levels?
A. Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. Norepinephrine
D. Acetylcholine
Answer: B
Rationale: Dopamine normally inhibits prolactin release; blocking D2 receptors in the
tuberoinfundibular pathway increases prolactin.
