Nervous System Pharmacology Quizzes: Test Your Knowledge

Question 1

Which drug is a dopamine antagonist used to treat schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Aripiprazole

Answer

Amantadine

Answer

Bromocriptine

Answer

Levodopa

Question 2

Which of the following drugs is a cholinergic agonist?

Accepted Answer

Nicotine

Answer

Atropine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Adenosine

Question 3

Which drug stimulates the muscarinic receptors of the parasympathetic nervous system, acting as a cholinergic agonist?

Accepted Answer

Pilocarpine

Answer

Atropine

Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Salbutamol

Question 4

Which neurotransmitter is responsible for regulating the parasympathetic nervous system, controlling functions like slowing the heart rate and aiding digestion?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Norepinephrine

Question 5

Which drug directly activates cholinergic receptors, mimicking the effects of acetylcholine?

Accepted Answer

Pilocarpine

Answer

Atropine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 6

Which of the following is an anticholinergic drug?

Accepted Answer

Atropine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Bethanechol

Answer

Pilocarpine

Question 7

Which of the following is an uncommon side effect of anticholinergic drugs used to treat neurological conditions?

Accepted Answer

Increased heart rate

Answer

Constipation

Answer

Blurred vision

Answer

Dry mouth

Question 8

Which mechanism primarily accounts for the therapeutic effects of cholinergic drugs?

Accepted Answer

Activating muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Answer

Inhibiting acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction

Answer

Blocking nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system

Answer

Stimulating dopamine release in the basal ganglia

Question 9

Which of the following beta-blockers is non-selective and can cross the blood-brain barrier?

Accepted Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Atenolol

Answer

Metoprolol

Answer

Nadolol

Question 10

Which drug is used to treat schizophrenia by acting as a dopamine antagonist?

Accepted Answer

Haloperidol

Answer

Levodopa

Answer

Amantadine

Answer

Carbidopa

Question 11

Which of the following drugs is NOT an anticholinergic?

Accepted Answer

Pilocarpine

Answer

Atropine

Answer

Scopolamine

Answer

Tropicamide

Question 12

Which neurotransmitter is primarily responsible for movement, motivation, and reward pathways in the central nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Norepinephrine

Question 13

Which class of antidepressants selectively inhibits serotonin reuptake in the brain?

Accepted Answer

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Answer

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

Answer

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

Answer

Atypical Antidepressants

Question 14

Which drug is a selective serotonin-1A (5-HT1A) receptor agonist used to treat anxiety and depression?

Accepted Answer

Buspirone

Answer

Ondansetron

Answer

Sumatriptan

Answer

Mirtazapine

Question 15

Which medication is a dopamine antagonist commonly used to treat positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions?

Accepted Answer

Haloperidol

Answer

Levodopa

Answer

Amantadine

Answer

Clonidine

Question 16

Which drug is used to treat myasthenia gravis by increasing acetylcholine levels at postganglionic parasympathetic neurons?

Accepted Answer

Neostigmine

Answer

Atropine

Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Dopamine

Question 17

Which of the following drugs is a serotonin antagonist?

Accepted Answer

Ondansetron

Answer

Fluoxetine

Answer

Buspirone

Answer

Tramadol

Question 18

Which neurotransmitter is blocked by anticholinergic drugs?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 19

Which medication is a dopamine antagonist used in the treatment of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Haloperidol

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Levodopa

Answer

Sertraline

Question 20

Identify the drug that belongs to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Accepted Answer

Fluoxetine

Answer

Amitriptyline

Answer

Venlafaxine

Answer

Bupropion

Question 21

Which neurotransmitter is responsible for transmitting signals in the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to a 'rest and digest' response?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

GABA

Question 22

Which drug is a dopamine agonist used to treat Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Levodopa

Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Haloperidol

Question 23

Which neurotransmitter is primarily responsible for transmitting signals in the parasympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 24

Which of the following is a clinical use of cholinergic drugs?

Accepted Answer

Treating myasthenia gravis and glaucoma

Answer

Treating Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Treating hypertension and arrhythmias

Answer

Treating depression and anxiety

Question 25

Which of the following substances is NOT a neurotransmitter?

Accepted Answer

Glucose

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Epinephrine

Question 26

Which of the following drugs is a dopamine agonist commonly used to treat Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Levodopa

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Amantadine

Question 27

Glutamate, a neurotransmitter found in the central nervous system, plays a significant role in brain function. Which of the following accurately describes glutamate's function in the CNS?

Accepted Answer

Glutamate is essential for synaptic plasticity, influencing learning and memory.

Answer

Glutamate inhibits neuronal activity, reducing brain excitability.

Answer

Glutamate is primarily found in the peripheral nervous system, affecting pain perception.

Answer

Glutamate regulates mood, impacting depression and anxiety disorders.

Question 28

Which of the following cholinergic agonists is contraindicated in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma due to its mechanism of action?

Accepted Answer

Pilocarpine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 29

Which drug acts as a non-specific dopamine receptor blocker?

Accepted Answer

Haloperidol

Answer

Amantadine

Answer

Levodopa

Answer

Carbidopa

Question 30

Which of the following is NOT a primary neurotransmitter in the central nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 31

Which cholinergic drug is specifically used to treat Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Donepezil

Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Morphine

Answer

Warfarin

Question 32

Which of the following is NOT a neurotransmitter found in the central nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Insulin

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

Glutamate

Question 33

Which neurotransmitter is primarily responsible for the parasympathetic nervous system's 'rest and digest' response?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Epinephrine

Question 34

In the parasympathetic nervous system, which neurotransmitter is responsible for mediating its actions, affecting functions such as heart rate regulation, digestion, and salivation?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Dopamine

Question 35

Which mechanism primarily underlies the anesthetic effects of local anesthetics?

Accepted Answer

Blocking voltage-gated sodium channels

Answer

Enhancing GABA neurotransmission

Answer

Activating opioid receptors

Answer

Inhibiting acetylcholine release

Question 36

For mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, which cholinergic drug is commonly used to improve cognitive function?

Accepted Answer

Donepezil

Answer

Levodopa

Answer

Diazepam

Answer

Metoprolol

Question 37

In the context of nervous system pharmacology, which drug is classified as cholinergic?

Accepted Answer

Pilocarpine

Answer

Atropine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Clonidine

Question 38

Which antidepressant drug selectively inhibits serotonin reuptake?

Accepted Answer

Fluoxetine

Answer

Venlafaxine

Answer

Bupropion

Answer

Mirtazapine

Question 39

In the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system, which neurotransmitter acts as the primary chemical messenger?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 40

In the central nervous system, glutamate primarily acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter. Which of the following best describes its predominant action at most synapses?

Accepted Answer

Excites postsynaptic neurons, increasing the likelihood of action potential generation

Answer

Inhibits postsynaptic neurons, decreasing the likelihood of action potential generation

Answer

Modulates synaptic plasticity, altering the strength of synaptic connections over time

Question 41

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

Accepted Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 42

Which of the following medications is a CNS depressant commonly used to induce sleep and alleviate anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Diazepam

Answer

Amantadine

Answer

Metoclopramide

Question 43

How do dopamine agonists exert their primary effects on the nervous system?

Accepted Answer

By activating postsynaptic dopamine receptors

Answer

By blocking dopamine reuptake

Answer

By stimulating dopamine release from presynaptic neurons

Answer

By inhibiting monoamine oxidase

Question 44

Which drug directly stimulates cholinergic receptors?

Accepted Answer

Neostigmine

Answer

Atropine

Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Dopamine

Question 45

Which adverse effect is associated with drugs that block dopamine receptors in the brain?

Accepted Answer

Extrapyramidal symptoms

Answer

Hallucinations

Answer

Bradycardia

Question 46

In the central nervous system, which neurotransmitter is the main inhibitory one?

Accepted Answer

GABA

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 47

Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action of opioid analgesics?

Accepted Answer

Binding to opioid receptors and blocking pain signals

Answer

Inhibiting dopamine reuptake in the central nervous system

Answer

Activating postsynaptic muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Answer

Stimulating serotonin release in the synaptic cleft

Question 48

Which factor plays a crucial role in determining the absorption of drugs across the blood-brain barrier into the central nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Lipid solubility

Answer

Protein binding

Answer

pH of the stomach

Answer

Molecular weight

Question 49

A patient with Alzheimer's disease experiences hallucinations and delusions. Which class of drugs is most appropriate to manage these symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotics

Answer

Cholinergic drugs

Answer

Opioid analgesics

Question 50

Which neurotransmitter is responsible for mediating the majority of parasympathetic nervous system effects?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

GABA

Question 51

Question:
  Elaborate on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of benzodiazepines, highlighting their absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and therapeutic effects.

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines are rapidly absorbed following oral administration, with peak plasma concentrations typically achieved within 1-2 hours.

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines have extensive distribution throughout the body, including the brain and cerebrospinal fluid.

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines possess a prolonged elimination half-life, typically ranging from 12-24 hours.

Answer

Benzodiazepines are primarily metabolized in the kidneys and subsequently excreted unchanged in the urine.

Question 52

Which of the following accurately describes the difference in mechanisms of action between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)?

Accepted Answer

SSRIs selectively inhibit serotonin reuptake, while TCAs inhibit both serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake.

Answer

TCAs selectively inhibit serotonin reuptake, while SSRIs inhibit both serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake.

Answer

Both SSRIs and TCAs inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and dopamine.

Question 53

Which of the following opioids is most commonly used for cancer-related pain management?

Accepted Answer

Morphine

Answer

Fentanyl

Answer

Methadone

Answer

Tramadol

Question 54

Which of the following antiepileptic drugs inhibits voltage-gated sodium channels?

Accepted Answer

Carbamazepine

Answer

Valproic acid

Answer

Lamotrigine

Answer

Levetiracetam

Question 55

Which of the following drugs is a first-line treatment for Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Levodopa

Answer

Pramipexole

Answer

Ropinirole

Answer

Selegiline

Question 56

The primary effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is:

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzymes

Answer

Blockade of opioid receptors

Answer

Activation of GABA receptors

Answer

Enhancement of serotonin release

Question 57

A common adverse effect of anticonvulsants is:

Accepted Answer

Drowsiness

Answer

Liver damage

Answer

Tardive dyskinesia

Answer

Heart attack

Question 58

The primary therapeutic effect of levodopa in Parkinson's disease is:

Accepted Answer

Dopamine receptor agonism

Answer

Dopamine receptor antagonism

Answer

Inhibition of dopamine synthesis

Answer

Acetylcholine esterase inhibition

Question 59

For rapid control of acute agitation in a psychiatric patient, the first-line treatment option is:

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines

Answer

Antipsychotics

Answer

Mood stabilizers

Answer

Antidepressants

Question 60

Which drug is classified as a potent opioid analgesic?

Accepted Answer

Morphine

Answer

Ibuprofen

Answer

Acetaminophen

Answer

Aspirin

Question 61

The primary mechanism of action of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) involves:

Accepted Answer

Serotonin reuptake inhibition

Answer

Activation of muscarinic receptors

Answer

Blockade of dopamine receptors

Answer

Enhancement of GABAergic transmission

Question 62

The mechanism of action of antipsychotics primarily involves:

Accepted Answer

Blockade of dopamine receptors

Answer

Activation of serotonin receptors

Answer

Inhibition of acetylcholine release

Answer

Enhancement of GABAergic neurotransmission

Question 63

Which of the following selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is used in the treatment of depression?

Accepted Answer

Fluoxetine (Prozac)

Answer

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Answer

Morphine (MS Contin)

Answer

Levodopa (Sinemet)

Question 64

What is the primary mechanism of action of neuromuscular blocking agents?

Accepted Answer

Block nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction

Answer

Enhance GABA activity in the central nervous system

Answer

Inhibit dopamine release in the basal ganglia

Answer

Block voltage-gated sodium channels in nerve cells