NR 503 Midterm Exam Questions and
Answers (2026) | Exam Prep Material |
Verified Questions & Answers | A+
• Nigrostriatal Pathway. CORRECT ANSWER: Tract from substantia nigra to
striatum (basal ganglia)
• Mesolimbic Pathway. CORRECT ANSWER: VTA to nucleus accumbens
• Mesocortical Pathway. CORRECT ANSWER: VTA to prefrontal cortex
• Tuberoinfundibular Pathway. CORRECT ANSWER: Hypothalamus to anterior
pituitary
• Nigrostriatal Function. CORRECT ANSWER: Controls posture and voluntary
movements
• Mesolimbic Function. CORRECT ANSWER: Regulates emotional behaviors and
pleasure
• Tuberoinfundibular Function. CORRECT ANSWER: Regulates prolactin release
• Nigrostriatal Adverse Effects. CORRECT ANSWER: Can cause movement
disorders like Parkinsonism and tremor
• Mesolimbic Adverse Effects. CORRECT ANSWER: Can cause positive
symptoms of schizophrenia and substance abuse reward
,• Tuberoinfundibular Adverse Effects. CORRECT ANSWER: Can cause
galactorrhea and sexual dysfunction
• First Generation Antipsychotics. CORRECT ANSWER: Used for schizophrenia
and psychosis. Blocks D2 receptors in mesolimbic pathway.
• Second Generation Antipsychotics. CORRECT ANSWER: Associated with
metabolic adverse effects (e.g. weight gain, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia,
increased risk of diabetes). Olanzapine and clozapine have the highest risk.
• Pines, 2 dones and a rone, 2 pips and a rip. CORRECT ANSWER: Not clear,
consider revising for clarity.
• Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex. CORRECT ANSWER: Associated with cognitive
symptoms.
• Mesocortical and Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex. CORRECT ANSWER:
Related to negative and affective symptoms.
• Orbitofrontal and Connections to the Amygdala. CORRECT ANSWER: Linked
to aggressive and impulsive symptoms.
• FGA Side Effects. CORRECT ANSWER: Include hyperprolactinemia,
extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), QT prolongation, torsades de pointes, blood
dyscrasias, sedation, orthostatic hypotension, dizziness.
• Clozapine. CORRECT ANSWER: Not indicated for acute presentation of
schizophrenia. ANC must be >1500. Highest risk for weight gain.
, • Clozapine and Lurasidone. CORRECT ANSWER: Noted for decreased risk of
death by suicide.
• Risperidone. CORRECT ANSWER: Atypical antipsychotic. Off-label use for
psychosis associated with dementia despite black box warning.
• Benzodiazepines. CORRECT ANSWER: Effective immediately. Can treat panic
disorders and generalized anxiety disorder. Short-term use. Enhance GABA's
inhibitory effects.
• NMS Treatment. CORRECT ANSWER: Dantrolene and Bromocriptine
• NMS Symptoms. CORRECT ANSWER: Symptoms include diaphoresis, anxiety,
tachypnea, muscle stiffness, altered mental status, tachycardia, and high fever.
• Tardive Dyskinesia Symptoms. CORRECT ANSWER: -Lip smacking
-Grimaces
-Tongue protrusion
-Twisting or jerking movements
• Tardive Dyskinesia Treatment. CORRECT ANSWER: -Benzos
-Botulinum
-Tetrabenazine
-Anticholinergics
• Akathisia Symptoms. CORRECT ANSWER: Restless, trouble standing still,
paces the floor, feet in constant motion, rocking back and forth
Answers (2026) | Exam Prep Material |
Verified Questions & Answers | A+
• Nigrostriatal Pathway. CORRECT ANSWER: Tract from substantia nigra to
striatum (basal ganglia)
• Mesolimbic Pathway. CORRECT ANSWER: VTA to nucleus accumbens
• Mesocortical Pathway. CORRECT ANSWER: VTA to prefrontal cortex
• Tuberoinfundibular Pathway. CORRECT ANSWER: Hypothalamus to anterior
pituitary
• Nigrostriatal Function. CORRECT ANSWER: Controls posture and voluntary
movements
• Mesolimbic Function. CORRECT ANSWER: Regulates emotional behaviors and
pleasure
• Tuberoinfundibular Function. CORRECT ANSWER: Regulates prolactin release
• Nigrostriatal Adverse Effects. CORRECT ANSWER: Can cause movement
disorders like Parkinsonism and tremor
• Mesolimbic Adverse Effects. CORRECT ANSWER: Can cause positive
symptoms of schizophrenia and substance abuse reward
,• Tuberoinfundibular Adverse Effects. CORRECT ANSWER: Can cause
galactorrhea and sexual dysfunction
• First Generation Antipsychotics. CORRECT ANSWER: Used for schizophrenia
and psychosis. Blocks D2 receptors in mesolimbic pathway.
• Second Generation Antipsychotics. CORRECT ANSWER: Associated with
metabolic adverse effects (e.g. weight gain, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia,
increased risk of diabetes). Olanzapine and clozapine have the highest risk.
• Pines, 2 dones and a rone, 2 pips and a rip. CORRECT ANSWER: Not clear,
consider revising for clarity.
• Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex. CORRECT ANSWER: Associated with cognitive
symptoms.
• Mesocortical and Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex. CORRECT ANSWER:
Related to negative and affective symptoms.
• Orbitofrontal and Connections to the Amygdala. CORRECT ANSWER: Linked
to aggressive and impulsive symptoms.
• FGA Side Effects. CORRECT ANSWER: Include hyperprolactinemia,
extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), QT prolongation, torsades de pointes, blood
dyscrasias, sedation, orthostatic hypotension, dizziness.
• Clozapine. CORRECT ANSWER: Not indicated for acute presentation of
schizophrenia. ANC must be >1500. Highest risk for weight gain.
, • Clozapine and Lurasidone. CORRECT ANSWER: Noted for decreased risk of
death by suicide.
• Risperidone. CORRECT ANSWER: Atypical antipsychotic. Off-label use for
psychosis associated with dementia despite black box warning.
• Benzodiazepines. CORRECT ANSWER: Effective immediately. Can treat panic
disorders and generalized anxiety disorder. Short-term use. Enhance GABA's
inhibitory effects.
• NMS Treatment. CORRECT ANSWER: Dantrolene and Bromocriptine
• NMS Symptoms. CORRECT ANSWER: Symptoms include diaphoresis, anxiety,
tachypnea, muscle stiffness, altered mental status, tachycardia, and high fever.
• Tardive Dyskinesia Symptoms. CORRECT ANSWER: -Lip smacking
-Grimaces
-Tongue protrusion
-Twisting or jerking movements
• Tardive Dyskinesia Treatment. CORRECT ANSWER: -Benzos
-Botulinum
-Tetrabenazine
-Anticholinergics
• Akathisia Symptoms. CORRECT ANSWER: Restless, trouble standing still,
paces the floor, feet in constant motion, rocking back and forth
