Question 1

Kumar has been seeing a therapist who prescribes lithium for him. Kumar is most likely suffering from ____.

Accepted Answer

Lithium is a medication commonly used to stabilize mood and treat bipolar disorder. Therefore, Kumar is most likely suffering from bipolar disorder.

Question 2

Men and women tend to respond differently to psychoactive drugs. For example, women are generally more responsive to neuroleptic drugs than men. These gender differences seem to be attributed to ____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Men and women tend to respond differently...

Question 3

St. John's wort is an herbal remedy. It appears that its active substance, hypericin, enhances serotonin activity and acts as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). If studies show that St. John's wort is effective in treating disorders, it will most likely be used to combat symptoms of ____.

Accepted Answer

St. John's wort has been studied and shown to be effective in treating mild to moderate depression. It is not commonly used to treat schizophrenia, generalized anxiety disorder, or conversion disorder.

Question 4

Winston has been taking a neuroleptic drug for several years, and he now suffers from an irreversible disorder of the nervous system that involves uncontrollable, repetitive movements of the body and face. Winston probably began taking a neuroleptic drug to treat his ____, but the drug led to the disorder known as ____.

Accepted Answer

Neuroleptic drugs are typically used to treat psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe anxiety. However, a common side effect of these drugs is tardive dyskinesia, which is an irreversible neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements of the face, limbs, and trunk. Therefore, choice B (schizophrenia; tardive dyskinesia) is the best answer.

Question 5

Haldol is a neuroleptic drug that works by blocking the receptors for dopamine. Therefore, Haldol acts as a dopamine ____.

Accepted Answer

Haldol works by blocking the receptors for dopamine, which means it is an antagonist. An antagonist is a drug that blocks or inhibits the activity of a particular neurotransmitter. In this case, Haldol blocks the activity of dopamine, which can reduce psychotic symptoms in individuals with certain mental health disorders.

Question 6

William alternates between periods when he is extremely up and periods when he is extremely down. He has been diagnosed as having bipolar I disorder. What drug is commonly used to treat the symptoms of this disorder?

Accepted Answer

Lithium is the drug commonly used to treat bipolar I disorder. It helps stabilize mood and prevent episodes of mania or depression.

Question 7

Kavi's client is diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Which class of psychoactive drugs will she most likely prescribe?

Accepted Answer

Neuroleptic drugs, also known as antipsychotics, are the preferred class of medication for treating symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia such as hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking. Antidepressant drugs may be used as an adjunct for depressive symptoms, but they are not the primary medications used for treating schizophrenia. Lithium is typically used for bipolar disorder and not for schizophrenia. Tranquilizing drugs such as benzodiazepines may be used to manage agitation, but they are not considered first-line treatment for schizophrenia.

Question 8

Marlon was involved in a terrible car accident and now suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder. Marlon's psychiatrist will most likely prescribe ____ to reduce his anxiety.

Accepted Answer

Tranquilizing drugs, also known as benzodiazepines, are often prescribed for short-term treatment of anxiety disorders such as PTSD. They work by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps to reduce feelings of anxiety and promote relaxation. Antidepressant drugs (A) may also be prescribed for PTSD, but they are typically used for long-term treatment rather than immediate relief of symptoms. Tricyclics (B) are an older class of antidepressant drugs that are less commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders due to their side effect profile. Neuroleptic drugs (C), also known as antipsychotics, are typically used to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and are not commonly prescribed for PTSD.

Question 9

Studies have shown that the combination of psychotherapy and drugs is ____ effective than either method alone for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Accepted Answer

Studies have consistently shown that the combination of medication and psychotherapy is more effective than either method alone for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. This is because medication helps to reduce the symptoms while psychotherapy helps the patient learn how to manage their thoughts and behaviors in a more adaptive way.

Question 10

Bettina was diagnosed with schizophrenia in the late 1960s and placed on Haldol (haloperidol). Bettina lived a relatively normal life until recently, when she began uncontrollably thrusting out her tongue, grotesquely squinching her face, and flailing her arms and legs. It appears that Bettina has developed ____.

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described suggest that Bettina has developed tardive dyskinesia, a common side effect of long-term use of antipsychotic medication such as Haldol. The other options are not related to the symptoms described.

Question 11

Which of the following statements concerning drug treatment is true?

Accepted Answer

Both ethnicity and gender play a role in the effectiveness and potential side effects of medications. Therefore, it is important to consider both factors when prescribing drugs for individuals. Equal doses may not be appropriate for all individuals within a particular group, and may vary depending on their specific needs and characteristics.

Question 12

You have discovered that a psychiatric disease is caused by an excess of serotonin neurotransmitter molecules in synapses. What treatment would you recommend for patients with this disease?

Accepted Answer

Since the disease is caused by an excess of serotonin neurotransmitter molecules in synapses, it would make sense to recommend a serotonin antagonist to block the excess serotonin and reduce the symptoms of the disease. A serotonin agonist would increase the amount of serotonin, which would only make the symptoms worse. Norepinephrine agonist and GABA antagonist are not relevant to the treatment of this disease.

Question 13

During a study session, your friend looks up from his notes to give you a confused look. "I wrote the word 'reuptake' in my notes but don't remember what it means." You nod calmly, explaining to your friend that reuptake refers to a process in which ____.

Accepted Answer

Reuptake refers to the process by which neurotransmitters are transported back into their presynaptic areas, effectively terminating their activity. This allows for the efficient recycling of neurotransmitters in neural communication.

Question 14

Dr. Middleton is reevaluating his use of drugs and psychotherapy when working with clients suffering from anxiety or depression. If Dr. Middleton wants to take a conservative strategy, he should begin with ____ and then add or switch to ____ if necessary only.

Accepted Answer

If Dr. Middleton wants to take a conservative strategy, he should begin with interpersonal psychotherapy and then add or switch to drug treatment if necessary only. This approach prioritizes non-pharmacological interventions and reserves medication for more severe or treatment-resistant cases.

Question 15

Fay suffers from bipolar disorder. When discussing treatment with her doctor, Fay learns that in most cases of bipolar disorder, ____.

Accepted Answer

Combined treatment (both drugs and psychotherapy) is often recommended for bipolar disorder, as it has been shown to be more effective than either treatment alone in managing symptoms and preventing relapse.

Question 16

Your friend is schizophrenic, and you are glad that she lives in modern times because her psychiatrist treats her schizophrenia with ____, whereas fifty years ago she might have been treated with ____.

Accepted Answer

Neuroleptic drugs are commonly used to treat schizophrenia in modern times and have been effective in reducing symptoms. Electroconvulsive therapy (EST), also known as shock therapy, was commonly used in the past to treat schizophrenia but is no longer considered a first-line treatment due to its potential side effects and risks. Trephining, the practice of drilling a hole into the skull to release evil spirits, was used in ancient times as a treatment for mental illness but is now considered barbaric and outdated. Antidepressant drugs have limited effectiveness in treating schizophrenia and psychosurgery is a risky and controversial treatment that is rarely used today.

Question 17

Valeri is diagnosed with major depression. Her doctor is most likely to prescribe ____ to reduce her depressive symptoms.

Accepted Answer

Tricyclic antidepressants are commonly prescribed for major depression. Lithium is primarily used for bipolar disorder and tranquilizing and neuroleptic drugs are typically used for psychotic disorders.

Question 18

Ethnic differences in how people tend to respond to psychoactive drugs are largely attributed to

Accepted Answer

Genetic differences in drug metabolism contribute significantly to the variation seen in response to psychoactive drugs among people of different ethnicities. For example, some people of Asian descent may have a genetic variation that leads to slower metabolism of certain drugs, making them more vulnerable to adverse effects at standard doses. Similarly, genetic differences in drug metabolism have been identified in people of African descent and can result in differences in response to certain antipsychotic medications.

Question 19

Which drug is commonly used to treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Lithium is a commonly used drug to treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder. It helps to stabilize mood swings and prevent relapse of both manic and depressive episodes. Prozac is not used to treat bipolar disorder, as it is an antidepressant and can sometimes trigger manic episodes. Anxiolytic and neuroleptic drugs may be used to treat specific symptoms of bipolar disorder, such as anxiety or psychosis, but they are not typically used as the primary treatment.

Question 20

Claudette suffers from generalized anxiety disorder and sees a therapist twice weekly. While her therapy sessions do help relieve some of her anxiety, she still has much difficulty. Which type of psychoactive drug treatment would probably best help Claudette control her anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Anxiolytics, also known as anti-anxiety drugs, are specifically designed to treat anxiety disorders. While neuroleptic drugs are used to treat psychotic disorders, antidepressant drugs are primarily used to treat depression and anxiety disorders, and lithium is primarily used to treat bipolar disorder. Therefore, anxiolytics would be the best choice for Claudette's generalized anxiety disorder.

Quiz 15: Treatment of Psychological Disorders