American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology ABPN Neuropharmacology and Psychopharmacology

Question 1

Which neurotransmitter system is the PRIMARY target of typical antipsychotic medications?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine (D2)

Answer

Serotonin (5-HT2A)

Answer

GABA-A

Answer

Norepinephrine (alpha-1)

Question 2

A patient on lithium develops tremor, polyuria, and polydipsia. What is the MOST appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Check serum lithium level

Answer

Immediately discontinue lithium

Answer

Add propranolol for tremor

Answer

Switch to valproate

Question 3

Which antidepressant is MOST associated with serotonin syndrome when combined with an MAOI?

Accepted Answer

Fluoxetine

Answer

Bupropion

Answer

Mirtazapine

Answer

Trazodone

Question 4

Tardive dyskinesia is MOST commonly caused by long-term use of which class of drugs?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine receptor antagonists

Answer

Benzodiazepines

Answer

Mood stabilizers

Answer

Anticholinergics

Question 5

Which anticonvulsant is considered FIRST-LINE for trigeminal neuralgia?

Accepted Answer

Carbamazepine

Answer

Valproate

Answer

Lamotrigine

Answer

Levetiracetam

Question 6

A patient taking clozapine develops fever, sore throat, and an absolute neutrophil count of 400/μL. What is the MOST appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Immediately discontinue clozapine

Answer

Continue clozapine and recheck CBC in 1 week

Answer

Reduce clozapine dose by 50%

Answer

Add G-CSF and continue clozapine