Psychopharmacology All Quiz Questions

The entire class of drugs we are studying that affect the mind in various ways is called:

A. Benzotropicanas

B. Hallucinogenicals

C. Anxiolytics

D. Psychotropics

D. Psychotropics

One of the first psychotropic drugs developed was originally intended to create sedation during surgery and was later discovered to have significant effects on the remission of psychotropic sxs. This drug was called:

A. Prozac

B. Thorazine

C. Penicillin

D. Xanax

B. Thorazine

All of the following are arguments made on behalf of the pro-psychotherapy movement except:

A. It produces growth in the individual

B. It doesn't have undesireable side effects

C. It helps develop problem solving skills

D. It is cheaper

D. It is cheaper

The are/space between nerve cells through which the neurotransmitters pass to carry out messages are called:

A. Grooves

B. Synapses

C. Axons

D. Canyons

B. Synapses

Dysfunction in which lobe of the brain would most likely be responsible for the experience of visual hallucinations:

A. Temporal

B. Occipital

C. Frontal

D. Parietal

B. Occipital

Which of the following brain structures is primarily responsible for the translation of short term into long term memories, slows down the warning signals from the amygdala, and is believed to be smaller in those suffering with Schizophrenia:

A. Cerebellum

B. Pineal Gland

C. Hippocampus

D. The basal ganglia

C. Hippocampus

In class, we discussed two different concepts regarding drug action. The process by which our body acts on drugs, including things like absorption and excretion, is referred to as:

A. Pharmacokinetics

B. Pharmacodynamics

C. Mastication

D. Psycholinguistics

A. Pharmacokinetics

The most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and the one that is like the "gas pedal" as we discussed in class is:

A. Serotonin

B. GABA

C. Endorphins

D. Glutamate

D. Glutamate

Half life of a drug refers to which of the following:

A. Amount of time it takes for the drug to become active

B. Amount of time required for a drug to reach 50% of it's concentration in the body

C. Amount of drug molecules in the body accrued by 12 hours (half a normal day)

D. A weakened form of a drug that is used in research only.

B. Amount of time required for a drug to reach 50% of it's concentration in the body

What is the name of the neurotransmitter we discussed which is most closely associated with "Feeling good" and ultimately most of what we see as "addiction":

A. Trytophan

B. B-Complex Guanceferine

C. Dopamine

D. Riboflavin

C. Dopamine

In order for antidepressant medications to be fully effective, it should be recommended to clients to remain on the drugs for at least what period of time:

A. 2 weeks

B. 1 month

C. 6 months

D. 6 years

C. 6 months

The hypothesis that people become depressed due to the excess presence of a chemical in the terminal bouton that consumes the neurotransmitters before transmission is called:

A. The monoamine hypothesis

B. The GABA theory

C. The NT Rapid uptake theory

D. Miller's Theory of chemical absorption

A. The monoamine hypothesis

There are multiple classes of drugs used to treat depression. Most have side effects, but only one has the secondary necessity of watching what types of foods are consumed due to tyramine issues... in order to prevent hypertension and possibly death. this class of drugs is called the:

A. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI's)

B. MAO Inhibitors

C. Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (NRI's)

D. Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake inhibitors (SNRI's)

B. MAO Inhibitors

In class, we discussed several classes of antidepressant medications. While they all have negative side effects, which of the following classes has the most side effects and is considered overall to be a "dirty" class of drugs:

A. SSRI's

B. NRI's

C. TCA's

D. SNRI's

C. TCA's

The SSRI's are a particular class of drugs which are designed to do which of the following:

A. Block the reuptake of serotonin so that more can stay in the synapse for better response

B. Stimulate production of serotonin so that it can be used more effectively by the body

C. Creates a more steady stream of norepinephrine, an agent whcih some believe leads to the creation of serotonin

D. Block the release of monoamine oxidase which depletes the presence of serotonin in the synapse

A. Block the reuptake of serotonin so that more can stay in the synapse for better response

The drug Wellbutrin is a bit of an Odd Duck in that it does not block the reuptake of neurotransmitters. It is instead believed to cause an increase in the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin. This characteristic places it in the category of:

A. SSRI's

B. Atypicals

C. SNRI's

D. NRI's

B. Atypicals

Which of the following medications would be the most appropriate choice as a primary treatment if we were to treat an individual who complained of significant problems with sexual side effects in the past and said they would not continue medicationsif this were still a high risk:

A. Nosexproblemitital

B. Lexapro

C. Depoprovera

D. Aspirin

B. Lexapro

In class, we discussed some of the categorizations of side effects patients may experience. The class which involves a general loss of water and associated with dry mouth, dry skin, and constipation was:

A. Anticholinergic effects

B. Adrenergic effects

C. Antihistaminic effects

D. Miscellaneous effects

A. Anticholinergic effects

When drugs are introduced into the body, one of the effects is often that receptors are blocked and can no longer receive the neurotransmitters at their site. This is the main function of all reuptake inhibitor drug types. The process of blocking receptor sites to reduce transmissionis called:

A. A blockade effect

B. An agonistic effect

C. An ergonomical effect

D. An antagonistic effect

D. An antagonistic effect

In class, we discussed some of the categorizations of side effects patients may experience. The class which involves sedation and weight gain was:

A. Anticholinergic effects

B. Adrenergic effects

C. Antihistaminic effects

D. Miscellaneous effects

C. Antihistaminic effects

Your client has been diagnosed with GAD. He has come to you for treatment and asked if he should take medications. In lieu of medication for this disorder, you inform your client that all of the following treatments EXCEPT which one has been found to be effective with GAD:

A. Stress management techniques

B. Cognitive-Behavioral therapy

C. Progressive muscle relaxation techniques

D. Flooding exposure therapy

D. Flooding exposure therapy

The first benzodiazapine medication that was developed in 1957 and is still used today for the treatment of substance withdrawal was:

A. Snoozazine

B. Librium

C. Cognex

D. Depategrerest

B. Librium

Anxiolytic drugs with short half lives (Halcyon, Versed, and Ativan) have which of the following aide effects that are considered to be very problematic:

A. Cause manic behavior

B. Lead to anterograde memory loss

C. Cause excessive sweating and fluid loss

D. Lead to Tardive Dyskinesia

B. Lead to anterograde memory loss

Of all the anxiolytic medications we discussed, one takes 2-3 weeks to work... the longest onset of action of all the anxiety meds... and thus is more commonly used as an antidepressant medication for those who have concomitant "what if" type worries. This drug was

A. Lithium

B. Thoradol

C. Xerox

D. Buspar

D. Buspar

We discussed one of the problems of using anxiety medications for too long as being a higher risk for addiction. Another reason we mentioned was which of the following:

A. Anxiety medications can cause brain damage, even when taken in normal dosing

B. Anxiety medications are weak and essentially useless after 2 weeks, thus costing a great deal of money for little gain.

C. Anxiety medications can serve to cover-up unconscious conflicts and thus the root cause of the disorder is never effectively treated.

D. Anxiety medications are still too young in development and thus still need more research to fully know if they are really "safe" to use at all.

C. Anxiety medications can serve to cover-up unconscious conflicts and thus the root cause of the disorder is never effectively treated.

Hypersensitivity in which of the following brain structures would most commonly be associated with anxiety and fear of rejection:

A. Cerebellum

B. Parietal lobe

C. Ventral Tegmental Nucleus

D. Locus Coeruleus

D. Locus Coeruleus

Many of the anxiolytic medications we discussed in class work by enhancing the effects of a type of neurotransmitter that functions to slow down (like a brake pedal) the activity of the amygdala and subsequent brain activity. This neurotransmitter is known as:

A. Amorphine

B. Glutamate

C. Norepinephrine

D. GABA

D. GABA

You believe your client has a phobia and you are concerned about whether to discuss medications. Of the following, which is the only category that is believed to require medicatoin for treatment:

A. Arachnophobia (fear of spiders)

B. Zoophobia (fear for animals)

C. Social Phobia (fear of rejection by people)

D. sesquipedalphobia (fear of long words)

C. Social Phobia (fear of rejection by people)

There is a difference between Obsesive Compulsive Disorder (OCD which is frequently medicated) and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD which is generally not medicated). The main difference is:

A. OCD is ego dystonic and OCPD is ego syntonic

B. OCD is ego syntonic and OCPD is ego dystonic

C. OCD often leads to dangerous and often violent behavior against others

D. OCPD is genetically transmitted whereas OCD is a learned behavior.

A. OCD is ego dystonic and OCPD is ego syntonic

A patient you are seeing has a primary disorder of Schizophrenia and is also excessively anxious. They have not been medicated yet. Which of the following is the best option for treatment as we discussed in class?

A. Give them some Benzodiazapines as they reduce anxiety and can help reduce hallucinations as well.

B. Treat the primary Schizophrenia first and if the anxiety remains, consider adding an anxiolytic as an adjunct.

C. Do nothing as treating the anxiety will only make the anxiety worse.

D. Refer to an OBGyn immediately as they may be pregnant with the child of Charles Manson.

B. Treat the primary Schizophrenia first and if the anxiety remains, consider adding an anxiolytic as an adjunct.

Weight gain, seizures, increased lactation:

Anticholinergic effects

Antiadrenergic effects

Atypical effects

Tardive Dyskinesia

Atypical effects

Involuntary movements, usually of the mouth that is considered to be a relatively permanent disorder

Anticholinergic effects

Antiadrenergic effects

Atypical effects

Tardive Dyskinesia

Tardive Dyskinesia

Dry mouth, Constipation, and general effects associated with a loss of water supply to critical areas of the body

Anticholinergic effects

Antiadrenergic effects

Atypical effects

Tardive Dyskinesia

Anticholinergic effects

Low blood pressure and sexual problems

Anticholinergic effects

Antiadrenergic effects

Atypical effects

Tardive Dyskinesia

Antiadrenergic effects

All of the following could be considered to be negative symptoms of Schizophrenia EXCEPT:

A. Apathy--lack of interest

B. Visual hallucinations

C. Blunted affect

D. Poverty of thought

B. Visual hallucinations

One of the side effects of a class of antipsychotic medications is that an increased (HI) risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). This same class of drugs would be considered:

A. High potency

B. Low potency

C. Atypicals

D. Inert neuroleptics

A. High potency

There are 4 dopaminergic pathways that we discussed in class. 2 of these pathways played a role in the management and display of emotions, reward circuitry, and general cognitive activity. Which pair of tracts listed below best represent these functions:

A. Nigrostriatal/Mesocortical

B. Mesolimbic/Mesocortical

C. Tuberoinfundibular/Nigrostriatal

D. Mesolimbic/Transventricular

B. Mesolimbic/Mesocortical

We discussed three stages of progression within the course of the psychotic illness. The stage in which early sympotms of diminished affect and decreased attention to ADL management was calle the ________ phase:

A. Active

B. Florid

C. Anhedonic

D. Prodromal

D. Prodromal

The drug Clozapine (clozaril) can be very effective in treating refractory symptoms of schizophrenia (those hard to minimize). There are several problems, however, in the use of clozaril which makes it a more rarely used drug. Which of the following was NOT one of those risks:

A. Causes mild memory loss in some patients

B. Can lead to agranulocytosis

C. Requires frequent blood draws

D. Can be ery expensive

A. Causes mild memory loss in some patients

In pharmacology vernacular, the older antipsychotic meds are often called ______ while the newer varieties are often called ______:

A. Anxiolytics/Neuroleptics

B. Tranquilizers/Stimulants

C. Neuroleptics/Atypicals

D. Sedatives/Dopaminergics

C. Neuroleptics/Atypicals

Mary comes to you and says that she would like treatment for her obsessions and compulsions. your decision to treat her with medication would depend on the severity of the symptoms and for a true diagnosis of OCD to occur, the symptoms must interfere with her daily functioning what minimum amount of time?:

A. less than 30 mins per day

B. More than 1 hour a day

C. At least 50% of her waking day

D. At least 3 hours daily

B. More than 1 hour a day

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorcer has been treated with many different medications over timeand all may have merit, but we discussed in class that the primary class of drugs used for treatment of symptoms today is the?

A. Atypical antipsychotics

B. Atypical antipsychotics

C. SSRI's

D. Stimulants

C. SSRI's

Borderline personality disorder has been discribed as reflecting folks with which of the following:

A. "Crazy Eyes"

B. A smaller than normal amygdala

C. A history of "stable instability"

D. The unfortunate distinction of "non-dateable"

C. A history of "stable instability"

Alcoholics may be treated with a certain type of drug that will prevent the breakdown of acetaldehyde into acetic acid and thus cause them to become nauseated and possibly vomit if they consume alcohol while taking it. This drug is:

A. Propanolol (Inderal)

B. Disulfuram (Antabuse)

C. Atomoxetine (strattera)

D. Naltrexone

B. Disulfuram (Antabuse)

The eating disorder Bulimia nervosa, where one binge eats and then removes the food via vomitus, can be treated with a number of different meds, including SSRI's. One medication, however, should never be used with this disorder. The drug is wellbutrin and the reason we discussed in class as to why it should never be used is due to its risk of:

A. Increasing risk of seizures

B. Increased appetite causing higher risk for binge eating

C. Can increase acid levels and burn the throat more when vomiting

D. Is lethal when mixed with certain food types eaten in high volume.

A. Increasing risk of seizures

Some people will engage in self-mutilating behaviors because it brings them a "special feeling" or a high when engaging in the behavior. We may use drugs like naltrexone in the treatment of this disorder for which of the following reasons:

A: It numbs the skin and thus leads to less immediate pain

B. It constricts the blood vessels to lower risk of excessive bleeding

C. It occupies opioid receptor sites and thus blocks the feeling of high the individual may have experienced before, leading to an eventual reduction in the behavior.

D. It is cheap and we often see cutting in the lower financial groups (impoverished)

C. It occupies opioid receptor sites and thus blocks the feeling of high the individual may have experienced before, leading to an eventual reduction in the behavior.

Pregnant women should generally avoid taking any drugs during the pregnancy cycle, but some should be avoided more than others. In class we discussed many drug types which should be avoided at all costs, but there was one which could be considered relatively safer overall in comparison to the others. This was:

A. SSRI's

B. Lithium

C. Barbituates

D. Benzodiazapines

A. SSRI's

Antabuse can be an effective agent for treatment of alcoholism if the client is willing to comply with the behavioral requirements of the drug (not drinking while on it). However, sometimes people may make a mistake and drink something containing alcohol that they were unaware of. Thus, clients using Antabuse should be warned of all the following things except:

A. Some mouthwash brands

B. Food flavoring extracts

C. Prune juice

D. Cough syrup

C. Prune juice

In treating the elderly population, there are many areas which we must be careful of making worse with the meds. all of the following should be monitored closely except:

A. Increased risk of sedation leading to falls

B. Increased risk of cognitive confusion

C. Increased risk of hypotension

D. Increased risk of financial complications due to the high cost of the meds

D. Increased risk of financial complications due to the high cost of the meds

Most drug treatments for Alzhiemer's disease and Lewy Body Dementia focus on blocking the breakdown of one particular type of neurotransmitter. This is? (hint: it is a newer name which we had not focused on much until this last sectionand discussions of the elderly):

A. Norepinephrine

B. Acetylcoline

C. Dopamine

D. Serotonin

B. Acetylcoline

Common symptoms, or side effects, of stimulant type ADHD medications in children commonly include all of the following, with the exception of? a. Decreased appetite b. Lethargy or fatigue c. Insomnia d. Severe skin rashes and goiters

d. Severe skin rashes and goiters

What percentage of medications for children are currently prescribed "off-label" - meaning they were originally designed for use with adults and not children, but now used for children anyway?

80%

Which of medication class is still considered the safest and most effective class for children with ADHD to use?

Stimulants

One of the medications that may be used with children who suffer from a Tic Disorder is one that causes a reduction in the neurotransmitter Dopamine (also known to reduce symptoms of psychosis) believed to be involved in the tic movements. This would best describe which of the following medications?

Risperdal