Psychopharmacology Quizzes: Master Drugs for the Brain

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of action of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)?

Accepted Answer

Increasing post-synaptic dopamine release

Answer

Inhibiting norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake

Answer

Blocking muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Question 2

Which of the following is not a type of psychopharmacological drug?

Accepted Answer

Statins

Answer

Antidepressants

Answer

Antipsychotics

Answer

Anxiolytics

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a typical clinical use of anxiolytics?

Accepted Answer

Treating chronic pain

Answer

Treating acute anxiety

Answer

Managing generalized anxiety disorder

Answer

Providing preoperative sedation

Question 4

Which neurotransmitter do selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) primarily target?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 5

What is the primary pharmacological mechanism of action of antipsychotics?

Accepted Answer

Blocking dopamine D2 receptors

Answer

Blocking serotonin 5-HT2A receptors

Answer

Stimulating GABA receptors

Answer

Inhibiting norepinephrine reuptake

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT typically a side effect of benzodiazepines?

Accepted Answer

Increased alertness

Answer

Drowsiness

Answer

Memory impairment

Answer

Muscle relaxation

Question 7

What is the main indication for using tricyclic antidepressants?

Accepted Answer

Major depressive disorder

Answer

Bipolar disorder

Answer

Schizophrenia

Answer

Generalized anxiety disorder

Question 8

Which of the following is a potential risk associated with the use of mood stabilizers in bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Lithium toxicity

Answer

Extrapyramidal side effects

Answer

Tardive dyskinesia

Answer

Serotonin syndrome

Question 9

Which of the following drugs is classified as a partial agonist at the GABA-A receptor?

Accepted Answer

Zolpidem

Answer

Buspirone

Answer

Lorazepam

Answer

Fluoxetine

Question 10

What is the main mechanism underlying tolerance to benzodiazepines?

Accepted Answer

Downregulation of GABA-A receptors

Answer

Up-regulation of NMDA receptors

Answer

Increased metabolism

Answer

Decreased absorption

Question 11

Which mechanism primarily underlies the therapeutic effects of typical antipsychotics?

Accepted Answer

Selective blockade of dopamine D2 receptors

Answer

Selective blockade of dopamine D1 receptors

Answer

Enhancement of serotonin reuptake

Answer

Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase

Question 12

Which class of antidepressants is most commonly prescribed for treating major depressive disorder?

Accepted Answer

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Answer

Tricyclic antidepressants

Answer

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Answer

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a common target of pharmacological interventions for neurological and psychiatric disorders?

Accepted Answer

Immunotherapy

Answer

Neurotransmitter reuptake inhibition

Answer

Ion channel modulation

Answer

Signal transduction pathway manipulation

Question 14

Which of the following antidepressants principally enhances the synaptic availability of serotonin?

Accepted Answer

Fluoxetine

Answer

Venlafaxine

Answer

Bupropion

Answer

Reboxetine

Question 15

Which of the following is a known adverse effect of benzodiazepine anxiolytics?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive impairment

Answer

Tardive dyskinesia

Answer

Extrapyramidal symptoms

Answer

Cardiovascular toxicity

Question 16

Which of the following drugs is indicated for the treatment of both depression and generalized anxiety disorder?

Accepted Answer

Sertraline

Answer

Alprazolam

Answer

Divalproex

Answer

Lithium

Question 17

What is a common side effect of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)?

Accepted Answer

Drowsiness

Answer

Seizures

Answer

Hallucinations

Question 18

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) primarily target which neurotransmitter system?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

GABA

Question 19

Benzodiazepines are prescribed for anxiety. What is their primary mechanism of action?

Accepted Answer

Enhancement of GABAergic neurotransmission

Answer

Inhibition of dopamine reuptake

Answer

Stimulation of norepinephrine release

Answer

Blockade of serotonin receptors

Question 20

A patient with schizophrenia experiences auditory hallucinations. Which drug class is MOST likely to be prescribed?

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotics

Answer

Stimulants

Answer

Antidepressants

Answer

Anxiolytics

Question 21

Which of the following is a common side effect of typical antipsychotics?

Accepted Answer

Extrapyramidal symptoms

Answer

Insomnia

Answer

Increased appetite

Answer

Diarrhea

Question 22

A patient taking an SSRI experiences nausea and headaches. What is the most likely explanation?

Accepted Answer

These are common side effects of SSRIs.

Answer

The patient is experiencing an allergic reaction.

Answer

The dosage is too high.

Answer

The patient is developing serotonin syndrome.

Question 23

What is a key principle of pharmacodynamic tolerance?

Accepted Answer

The body adapts to the drug's effects over time, reducing its effectiveness.

Answer

The drug's half-life increases with repeated use.

Answer

The drug's metabolism slows down over time.

Answer

The drug becomes more effective with repeated use.

Question 24

A patient with major depressive disorder needs an antidepressant. What factors should be considered when choosing the medication?

Accepted Answer

All of the below

Answer

The patient's current symptoms

Answer

Potential drug interactions

Answer

The patient's medical history

Question 25

Which therapy is a non-pharmacological treatment often used alongside medication?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Answer

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Answer

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Answer

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Question 26

A patient with bipolar disorder is in a manic episode. Which drug class is MOST likely to be prescribed?

Accepted Answer

Mood stabilizers

Answer

Antidepressants

Answer

Anxiolytics

Answer

Antipsychotics

Question 27

What is a key difference between typical and atypical antipsychotics?

Accepted Answer

Atypical antipsychotics have a lower risk of extrapyramidal symptoms.

Answer

Atypical antipsychotics are less effective in treating the positive symptoms of schizophrenia.

Answer

Typical antipsychotics are more effective in treating the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Answer

Typical antipsychotics have a higher risk of metabolic side effects.