Question 1

A person may have short-term success with antipsychotic or antidepressant drugs,but because of their unpleasant side effects,________ of the people stop taking them.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that between one-half to two-thirds of people on antipsychotic or antidepressant drugs stop taking them due to unpleasant side effects. While the other answer choices may be close in some cases, C is the most accurate range based on research findings.

Question 2

The therapeutic window refers to the:

Accepted Answer

The therapeutic window refers to the amount of a drug that is enough to produce a therapeutic effect but not too much that it causes toxicity or adverse effects. It is important for healthcare professionals to identify the therapeutic window of a drug in order to ensure that the patient receives the appropriate and safe dose.

Question 3

People suffering from bipolar disorder often are helped by taking ________,which may produce its effects by protecting brain cells from being overstimulated by another neurotransmitter,glutamate.

Accepted Answer

Lithium carbonate is commonly used to treat bipolar disorder by stabilizing mood and preventing manic or depressive episodes. Its mechanism of action is not fully understood, but it is thought to work by modulating certain neurotransmitters in the brain, including glutamate. Antidepressants, antipsychotics, and tranquilizers may also be used to treat bipolar disorder, but lithium carbonate is often the first line of treatment.

Question 4

A meta-analysis of studies addressing the effectiveness of antidepressants in the treatment of depression revealed that:

Accepted Answer

The meta-analysis revealed that although clinicians found antidepressants helpful in treating depression, patient ratings did not show any advantages over placebos.

Question 5

Which of the following would be useful in reducing a patient's agitation and delusions?

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotic drugs are the most commonly used medication for reducing agitation and delusions in patients with psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. These drugs work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, which can help to reduce the symptoms of psychosis. Lithium carbonate is typically used as a mood stabilizer for people with bipolar disorder, while tranquilizers and antidepressants may not be as effective in treating psychosis.

Question 6

Which of the following drugs are most often prescribed by physicians in general practice for patients who complain of depressed mood,panic,or anxiety?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following drugs are most...

Question 7

A meta-analysis of studies addressing the effectiveness of herbs in the treatment of depression revealed that:

Accepted Answer

The answer of A meta-analysis of studies addressing the effectiveness...

Question 8

Antipsychotic drugs offer little relief from which of the following aspects of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotic drugs may help with agitation, the duration of schizophrenic episodes, and delusions, but they offer little relief from jumbled thoughts. Cognitive behavioral therapy and other psychosocial interventions may be more effective in addressing this aspect of schizophrenia.

Question 9

An issue of concern to those treating individuals with mental disorders is whether the therapists need to "fix" the brain or the mind.At this time,the explanations and treatments that are in the ascendance are:

Accepted Answer

The issue of whether to focus on the brain or the mind suggests a debate between biological and psychological explanations and treatments. Of the options listed, the choice that emphasizes biological explanations and treatments is B.

Question 10

All of the following statements about tranquilizers are accurate EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The answer of All of the following statements about tranquilizers...

Question 11

A drug that elevates the levels of norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain by blocking an enzyme that deactivates these neurotransmitters would be considered a/an:

Accepted Answer

Antidepressants work by elevating levels of norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain, typically by blocking the reuptake of these neurotransmitters. This increases their availability in the brain, which can improve mood and alleviate depression. Examples of these types of drugs include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).

Question 12

________,such as Valium and Xanax,increase the activity of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Accepted Answer

Tranquilizers, such as Valium and Xanax, are known as benzodiazepines and work by increasing the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps to calm down the nervous system. This results in a relaxing and sedative effect, which can help to relieve anxiety and muscle tension.

Question 13

________ are nonaddictive,but they can produce some unpleasant physical reactions,including dry mouth,headaches,constipation,nausea,gastrointestinal problems,weight gain,decreased sexual desire,and delayed orgasm.

Accepted Answer

Antidepressants are known for their nonaddictive nature but can produce unpleasant physical reactions such as dry mouth, headaches, constipation, nausea, gastrointestinal problems, weight gain, decreased sexual desire, and delayed orgasm. Antipsychotic drugs (A) and lithium carbonates (B) can be addictive and have their own set of side effects. Tranquilizers (C) can also be addictive and have a potential for abuse.

Question 14

If Fergus takes ________,it reduces his agitation and delusions and shortens his schizophrenic episodes.

Accepted Answer

The best choice would be one of the neuroleptics, such as chlorpromazine. Neuroleptics are the primary class of drugs used to treat schizophrenia and are effective in reducing agitation and delusions as well as shortening schizophrenic episodes. Benzodiazepines such as Valium may be used to treat anxiety or agitation, but are not specific to treating schizophrenia. MAO inhibitors such as Nardil are primarily used for depression and SSRIs such as Prozac are primarily used for anxiety and depression.

Question 15

An antidepressant would NOT be prescribed for:

Accepted Answer

Antidepressants are not typically prescribed for bipolar disorder as they can potentially trigger mania or hypomania. Instead, mood stabilizers are the primary treatment for bipolar disorder. Antidepressants may be prescribed for anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and some phobias.

Question 16

The form of psychosurgery known as the prefrontal lobotomy:

Accepted Answer

The prefrontal lobotomy often leaves patients apathetic and withdrawn, which is a serious side effect. It was used in the past, but is not frequently used today due to improved psychiatric medications and therapies.

Question 17

________ must be given in exactly the right dose because too little will not help people who suffer from bipolar disorder and too much is toxic.

Accepted Answer

Lithium carbonate is a mood stabilizer commonly used to treat bipolar disorder. The therapeutic range for lithium levels in the blood is very narrow, so it is crucial that the dosage is carefully monitored to avoid toxicity or lack of effectiveness. The other options, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, and tranquilizers, may also be used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, but do not have the same narrow therapeutic window as lithium.

Question 18

Antipsychotic drugs block or reduce the sensitivity of brain receptors that respond to ________ and can ________ schizophrenic episodes.

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotic drugs block or reduce the sensitivity of dopamine receptors in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that has been linked to the development of schizophrenic symptoms. By reducing the activity of dopamine, antipsychotic drugs can help to alleviate schizophrenic episodes. Shortening is not an appropriate action for the verb.

Question 19

Antidepressants work by ________ the activity of ________.

Accepted Answer

Antidepressants work by increasing the activity of norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain, which are neurotransmitters associated with mood regulation. Option A is incorrect as it has the opposite effect, decreasing the activity of these neurotransmitters. Option C refers to a different neurotransmitter, and option D is not entirely accurate as some antidepressants can also affect dopamine levels, but it is not the primary target of these drugs.

Question 20

Which of the following symptoms of schizophrenia would not be relieved by antipsychotic drugs?

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotic drugs can effectively relieve delusions, agitation, and shorten the duration of schizophrenic episodes, but they may not necessarily reduce emotional flatness, which is a negative symptom of schizophrenia.

Quiz 16: Approaches to Treatment and Therapy