Question 1

Antipsychotic drugs, or neuroleptics, are prescribed primarily for __________

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotic drugs are primarily prescribed for schizophrenia, which is a serious mental disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and abnormal behaviors. These drugs can help to manage the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions, by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. They may also be used to treat other conditions, such as bipolar disorder and certain types of depression.

Question 2

Long-term use of antipsychotic drugs can lead to which severe side effects?

Accepted Answer

Long-term use of antipsychotic drugs can lead to the development of tardive dyskinesia, a severe and sometimes irreversible movement disorder characterized by involuntary movements of the face, lips, tongue, and limbs. Option A and B are not commonly associated with long-term use of antipsychotic drugs, while option D is not a recognized side effect of antipsychotic medication.

Question 3

In general, antipsychotic drugs work by __________

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotic drugs work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, particularly in the mesolimbic pathway. This helps to reduce the activity of dopamine in the brain and alleviate symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions. Some antipsychotic drugs also block other neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, which can contribute to their therapeutic effects.

Question 4

The introduction of antipsychotic drugs in the mid-1950s resulted in __________

Accepted Answer

The introduction of antipsychotic drugs in the mid-1950s led to a significant reduction in the number of people in mental hospitals. This was due to the fact that antipsychotic medication allowed many people with severe mental illness to be treated in the community rather than being institutionalized.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the text as being effectively treated by cognitive therapy?

Accepted Answer

Dissociative identity disorder is not mentioned in the text as being effectively treated by cognitive therapy.

Question 6

The best treatments for the negative symptoms of schizophrenia target the neurotransmitters __________

Accepted Answer

The negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as apathy, lack of emotion, and poor social functioning, are challenging to treat. However, treatments that target the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin have shown some effectiveness. These neurotransmitters are involved in many brain functions, including mood regulation, motivation, and the processing of rewards, which are areas often impaired in schizophrenia. Medications that modulate these neurotransmitters can help alleviate some of the negative symptoms.

Question 7

The atypical antipsychotic drugs target the neurotransmitter(s) __________

Accepted Answer

Atypical antipsychotic drugs primarily target the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. This is in contrast to typical antipsychotic drugs, which primarily target dopamine.

Question 8

Gary takes antipsychotic drugs to control the symptoms of schizophrenia. After taking the drug for some time, he begins exhibiting repetitive, involuntary jerks and movements of his face, lips, and legs. Gary is showing signs of __________

Accepted Answer

Gary is exhibiting symptoms of tardive dyskinesia, which is a side effect commonly associated with long-term use of antipsychotic medications. Savant syndrome is a rare condition in which individuals have extraordinary abilities in certain areas despite having significant cognitive or developmental disabilities. A clozapine overdose would result in symptoms of toxicity, such as confusion, agitation, seizures, and coma. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a potentially life-threatening reaction to antipsychotic medication characterized by high fever, muscle rigidity, and autonomic dysfunction.

Question 9

Which is NOT one of the three main biomedical therapies?

Accepted Answer

The three main biomedical therapies are drug therapy, psychosurgery, and electroconvulsive therapy. Vitamin therapy is not included as one of the main biomedical therapies.

Question 10

The kind of therapy that uses biological treatments such as medication, surgical methods, and electrical shock treatments to bring about changes in the person's disordered behavior is called __________

Accepted Answer

Biomedical therapy involves the use of biological treatments such as medication, surgical methods, and electrical shock treatments to bring about changes in a person's disordered behavior. Psychotherapy, on the other hand, involves talking therapies to help individuals manage their emotional and psychological problems. Physical therapy deals with improving an individual's physical abilities and functions. Electroconvulsive shock therapy is a specific type of biomedical therapy that involves the use of electrical currents to induce a seizure in the brain with the goal of treating severe mental disorders.

Question 11

Neuroleptics work primarily by inhibiting the activity of which neurotransmitter?

Accepted Answer

Neuroleptics work primarily by inhibiting the activity of dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, motivation, and movement. By decreasing dopamine activity, neuroleptics can reduce the symptoms of certain mental illnesses, such as psychosis and schizophrenia.

Question 12

You are a psychiatrist who specializes in treating schizophrenia. Joe is experiencing the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, including withdrawal, apathy, and reduced communication. Which of the following medications are you apt to prescribe to treat Joe?

Accepted Answer

Atypical neuroleptics are often prescribed for treating the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, including withdrawal, apathy, and reduced communication. These medications work by blocking dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain, which can help improve mood, motivation, and social functioning in patients with schizophrenia. Benzodiazepines are not typically prescribed for schizophrenia, as they are more commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia. Lithium is primarily used to treat bipolar disorder, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors are used to treat depression and other mood disorders, but they are not typically used to treat schizophrenia.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a neuroleptic?

Accepted Answer

Tricyclics are not neuroleptics, they are a class of antidepressants. Stelazine, Thorazine, and Mellaril are all neuroleptics commonly used to treat psychosis and other mental health conditions.

Question 14

Medication, electroconvulsive shock therapy, and psychosurgery are all types of __________

Accepted Answer

Medication, electroconvulsive shock therapy, and psychosurgery all fall under the category of biomedical therapy, which involves the use of drugs, electroconvulsive therapy, or surgical procedures to treat mental health issues. Cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, and psychoanalytic therapy are different forms of talk therapy.

Question 15

Antipsychotic drugs treat symptoms such as __________

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotic drugs are primarily used to treat symptoms associated with psychosis, such as hallucinations, delusions, and bizarre behavior. They work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. Antipsychotic drugs are not effective for treating symptoms of depression, anxiety, or personality disorders.

Question 16

Fred has taken antipsychotic drugs for seven years to treat his schizophrenia. Although his schizophrenia is in remission, Fred has started to constantly twitch and jerk. Fred might be developing __________

Accepted Answer

Tardive dyskinesia is a common side effect of long-term use of antipsychotic medication, which can cause involuntary twitches and jerks. The other options, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social phobia, are not associated with the use of antipsychotic medication.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT true regarding cognitive therapy?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive therapy is not specifically designed for clients with personality disorders, although it can be effective for treating borderline personality disorder when combined with other treatments.

Question 18

Which of the following drugs would be the treatment of choice for schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic medication that is considered first-line treatment for schizophrenia due to its effectiveness in treating positive and negative symptoms, reducing risk of relapse, and improving overall functioning. Xanax is a benzodiazepine used for anxiety and Prozac is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor used for depression and anxiety, neither of which are considered first-line treatments for schizophrenia. Lithium is used primarily for bipolar disorder and is not typically used as a first-line treatment for schizophrenia.

Question 19

Lulu sees a professional once a month to manage the medication she is taking to help alleviate the symptoms of her anxiety disorder. The type of therapy Lulu is undergoing is called __________

Accepted Answer

Lulu is taking medication to help alleviate her symptoms, indicating that she is likely undergoing biomedical therapy rather than psychotherapy or physical therapy. Electroconvulsive shock therapy is a much more invasive and extreme form of treatment and is not commonly used to treat anxiety disorders.

Question 20

The most frequently used biomedical treatment is __________

Accepted Answer

Drug therapy is the most frequently used form of biomedical treatment in the field of psychology for a range of mental health disorders. This treatment involves using medications to alter the chemistry of the brain and improve symptoms of conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Other biomedical treatments like electroconvulsive therapy, megavitamin therapy, and psychosurgery are less commonly used and often reserved for severe cases where other treatments have been ineffective.

Quiz 15: Therapies