Pathophysiology Chapter 19 – Neurobiology of Schizophrenia, Mood Disorders, and Anxiety Disorders

Pathophysiology

Chapter 19: Neurobiology of Schizophrenia, Mood Disorders, and Anxiety Disorders

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. Which would be considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia?

a. Blunted affect

b. Auditory hallucinations

c. Poverty of speech

d. Lack of social interaction

 

2. A healthcare professional is seeing a patient with suspected schizophrenia. For which prenatal occurrence should the professional assess?

a. Viral infection

b. Maternal depression

c. Maternal smoking

d. Exposure to toxic waste

 

3. Which neurotransmitter is reduced in people with schizophrenia?

a. Dopamine

b. Gamma-aminobutyric acid

c. Acetylcholine

d. Serotonin

 

4. A patient has positive signs of schizophrenia and is scheduled for a brain scan. What part of the brain does the healthcare professional expect the scan will focus on?

a. Parietal lobe

b. Limbic system

c. Temporal lobe

d. Hypothalamus

 

5. A patient has started on clozapine. The healthcare professional educates the patient that this drug blocks which neurotransmitter receptor?

a. Norepinephrine

b. Gamma-aminobutyric acid

c. Serotonin

d. Dopamine

 

6. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system abnormalities exist in a large percentage of individuals with what?

a. Schizophrenia

b. Major depression

c. Mania

d. Panic disorder

 

7. The common property among the three types of medications used to treat depression is that they do what?

a. Increase neurotransmitter levels within the synapse

b. Increase neurotransmitter levels in the presynapse

c. Decrease neurotransmitter levels in the postsynapse

d. Decrease neurotransmitter levels within the synapse

 

8. What is the link between major depression and cortisol secretion?

a. Individuals with depression show suppression of plasma cortisol when given

dexamethasone.

b. Individuals with depression have a decreased plasma cortisol level, despite the administration of exogenous corticosteroids.

c. Individuals with depression show that persistently elevated plasma cortisol levels can result in inflammation that is believed to trigger depression.

d. Individuals with depression have normal plasma cortisol levels throughout the day when they take antidepressant medication as prescribed.

 

9. A decrease in receptor binding for which neurotransmitter is found in individuals with depression?

a. Norepinephrine

b. Serotonin

c. Dopamine

d. Acetylcholine

 

10. A severely depressed patient has been taking venlafaxine but is now pregnant and asks the healthcare professional what treatment options are available for her. What therapy does the professional discuss as a first choice?

a. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

b. Switch to haloperidol

c. Intensive psychotherapy until the baby is weaned

d. Limit zinc and magnesium in the diet

 

11. A patient has been diagnosed with lithium toxicity. Which electrolyte imbalance does the healthcare professional correlate with this condition?

a. Hypernatremia

b. Hyponatremia

c. Hyperkalemia

d. Hypokalemia

 

12. A criterion for a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a period of excessive worrying that lasts for at least how many months?

a. 3

b. 6

c. 9

d. 12

 

13. A patient is taking phenelzine and presents to the clinic complaining of “feeling awful.” The patient reports eating aged cheese and avocados last night. What assessment by the healthcare professional is the priority?

a. Kidney function studies

b. Blood pressure

c. Chest x-ray

d. Weight

 

14. What is a notable complication of panic disorder?

a. Avolition

b. Anhedonia

c. Alogia

d. Agoraphobia

 

15. A patient reports frequent nightmares. For which of these should the healthcare professional assess the patient?

a. A recent major loss

b. Family history of nightmares

c. History of traumatic event

d. Poor nutrition and weight loss

 

MULTIPLE RESPONSE

1. Significant numbers of individuals with depression have problems related to what? (Select all that apply.)

a. Sleep cycles

b. Weight stabilization

c. Eating patterns

d. Thyroid function

e. Cognitive skills

 

2. Which neurotransmitters are inhibited in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)? (Select all that apply.)

a. Acetylcholine

b. Serotonin

c. Dopamine

d. Norepinephrine

e. Epinephrine

 

3. A patient is starting on a new prescription for sertraline. What side effects does the healthcare professional educate the patient about? (Select all that apply.)

a. Orthostatic hypotension

b. Dry mouth

c. Sleep disturbances

d. Agitation

e. Nausea

 

4. A patient has a history of panic disorder. What substances does the healthcare professional teach the patient to avoid? (Select all that apply.)

a. Carbon dioxide

b. Coffee

c. Diesel fumes

d. Soda pop

e. Asbestos