Question 1

Neuroanatomic and neurotransmitter alterations in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia include which of the following?
A) Loss of cortical tissue
B) Alteration in dopamine pathways
C) Shrinkage of the ventricles
D) All of these are correct.
E) Loss of cortical tissue and alteration in dopamine pathways

Accepted Answer

Schizophrenia is associated with loss of cortical tissue and alterations in dopamine pathways, but not shrinkage of the ventricles; rather, ventricular enlargement is observed.

Question 2

A patient reports that he senses that he is detached from society. His family reports he doesn't seem to enjoy many experiences. These symptoms are a description of:
A) avolition.
B) alogia.
C) anhedonia.
D) delusions.

Accepted Answer

Anhedonia refers to the inability to experience pleasure from activities usually found enjoyable, which aligns with the patient's lack of enjoyment in experiences.

Question 3

Which of the following neurotransmitters is widely reduced in depression?
A) Serotonin
B) Monoamine
C) Glutamine
D) Epinephrine

Accepted Answer

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is commonly found to be reduced in individuals with depression, and many antidepressants work by increasing serotonin levels.

Question 4

An 18-year-old was brought into the emergency room because she was found on the streets at 2:00 a.m. stating she was campaigning for the next president and was writing his speeches. Police reported she was alone and yelling at oncoming cars and insisting they join her campaign to elect the next president. Concerns for her safety is what led the police to bring her to the emergency room. This woman may be experiencing:
A) a manic episode.
B) a panic attack.
C) agoraphobia.
D) compulsive behavior.

Accepted Answer

The woman's behavior, including grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, increased talkativeness, and risky behavior, is indicative of a manic episode.

Question 5

In a generalized anxiety disorder, anticipatory anxiety and attentional bias to threats are thought be caused by:
A) serotonin and GABA surges.
B) cingulate cortex and amygdala abnormalities.
C) cholecystokinin receptor gene on chromosome 11p.
D) hypothalamic-pituitary thyroid system dysregulation.

Accepted Answer

The cingulate cortex and amygdala are brain regions involved in processing emotions and threats. Abnormalities in these areas are associated with heightened anxiety and attentional biases towards perceived threats, which are characteristic of generalized anxiety disorder.

Question 6

A patient with schizophrenia has hallucinations and delusions. These thoughts and behaviors are termed:
A) positive symptoms.
B) negative symptoms.
C) affective symptoms.
D) cognitive symptoms.

Accepted Answer

Positive symptoms refer to the presence of abnormal behaviors or experiences, such as hallucinations and delusions, which are not present in healthy individuals.

Question 7

Second-generation antipsychotics have which of the following effects on neurotransmitters?
A) Dopamine and serotonin
B) Dopamine only
C) Serotonin only
D) Dopamine and glutamate

Accepted Answer

Second-generation antipsychotics primarily affect both dopamine and serotonin neurotransmitter systems, which helps in managing symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.

Question 8

A patient with refractory depression will receive electroconvulsive therapy. She would like more information about this therapy. What information should be provided to her?
A) You will need to be on bedrest for 2 days after the procedure.
B) The procedure produces a brief brain seizure that activates various brain areas.
C) The procedure is painless, so usually no anesthesia is necessary.
D) You will have to reduce your intake of food after, due to the risk of vomiting.

Accepted Answer

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) involves inducing a brief seizure in the brain, which can help alleviate symptoms of severe depression. It is performed under general anesthesia, so the patient does not feel pain during the procedure.

Question 9

What symptoms must be present for a patient to be diagnosed with major depressive disorder?
A) Indecisiveness
B) Feeling of sadness
C) Fatigue
D) Insomnia

Accepted Answer

The answer of What symptoms must be present for a...

Question 10

An 18-year-old patient describes that he needs to wash his hands multiple times a day because he is concerned about germs. He said this started when he was about 12 years old. This behavior is a description of:
A) an obsession.
B) a compulsion.
C) paranoia.
D) delusions.

Accepted Answer

The behavior described is a compulsion, which is a repetitive behavior that a person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, in this case, the concern about germs.

Question 11

Alterations in __________ have been associated with the development of mental health disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
A) chromosomes 8 and 15
B) chromosomes 5 and 6
C) chromosomes 1 and 2
D) chromosomes 3 and 10

Accepted Answer

The answer of Alterations in __________ have been associated with...

Question 12

What is the relationship between the hypothalamic pituitary axis and depression?
A) Reduction in cortisol
B) Reduced production of corticotropin-releasing hormone
C) Increased production of corticotropin-releasing hormone
D) Low levels of gamma aminobutyric acid

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is often dysregulated in depression, leading to increased production of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which can result in elevated cortisol levels.

Question 13

Which of the following essential amino acids is a precursor to serotonin?
A) Tryptophan
B) Glutamate
C) Choline
D) Dopamine

Accepted Answer

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that serves as a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation.

Question 14

A 30-year-old male patient is in the emergency room because he was belligerent, confused, and delirious. His girlfriend called the police because of this behavior, and she said it started after smoking marijuana. Suspicions are that the marijuana was altered with phencyclidine (PCP). Which receptors are mainly altered by PCP?
A) N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)
B) Serotonin receptors
C) Monoamine receptors
D) Dopamine receptors

Accepted Answer

PCP primarily acts as an antagonist at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which are a subtype of glutamate receptors in the brain. This action is responsible for its dissociative and hallucinogenic effects.

Question 15

Children in comparison to adults with major depressive disorders are more likely to exhibit:
A) weight changes.
B) low self-esteem.
C) insomnia.
D) somatic complaints such as stomachache.

Accepted Answer

Children with major depressive disorders often exhibit somatic complaints like stomachaches, which are more common in children than in adults.

Question 16

A patient with increased intracranial pressure will have:
A) dilated scalp veins.
B) a rapid increase in head size.
C) visual changes.
D) prominence of forehead.

Accepted Answer

Visual changes are a common symptom of increased intracranial pressure.

Question 17

What is a key difference between dementia and delirium?
A) Delirium onset is usually slow and insidious.
B) Hallucinations and delusions may be present with delirium.
C) Behavior is usually agitated early on in dementia.
D) The sleep wake cycle is usually disrupted in delirium.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is a key difference between dementia...

Question 18

Which of the following is a characteristic of brainstem death?
A) Apnea
B) Comatose
C) Vegetative state
D) Lack of movement

Accepted Answer

Apnea is a characteristic of brainstem death because it indicates that the brainstem is no longer functioning and is unable to control breathing.

Question 19

A 75-year-old man had a cerebrovascular accident. What type of paralysis will be most likely?
A) Ipsilateral hypotonic muscles and flaccid paralysis
B) Contralateral hypotonic muscles and flaccid paralysis
C) Ipsilateral contractures and spastic paralysis
D) Contralateral contractures and spastic paralysis

Accepted Answer

A cerebrovascular accident (stroke) typically affects the opposite side of the body from where the brain injury occurred, leading to contralateral effects. Damage to the upper motor neurons often results in spastic paralysis and contractures on the contralateral side.

Question 20

Which of the following neurologic disorders is characterized by cortical nerve cell processes that have become twisted and dilated?
A) Delirium
B) Parkinson disease
C) Alzheimer disease
D) Multiple sclerosis

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer disease is characterized by neurofibrillary tangles, which are twisted and dilated nerve cell processes in the brain's cortex.

Quiz 11: Neural Function

Neuroanatomic and neurotransmitter alterations in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia include which of the following?

A patient reports that he senses that he is detached from society. His family reports he doesn't seem to enjoy many experiences. These symptoms are a description of:

Which of the following neurotransmitters is widely reduced in depression?

In a generalized anxiety disorder, anticipatory anxiety and attentional bias to threats are thought be caused by:

A patient with schizophrenia has hallucinations and delusions. These thoughts and behaviors are termed:

Second-generation antipsychotics have which of the following effects on neurotransmitters?

A patient with refractory depression will receive electroconvulsive therapy. She would like more information about this therapy. What information should be provided to her?

What symptoms must be present for a patient to be diagnosed with major depressive disorder?

An 18-year-old patient describes that he needs to wash his hands multiple times a day because he is concerned about germs. He said this started when he was about 12 years old. This behavior is a description of:

Alterations in __________ have been associated with the development of mental health disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

What is the relationship between the hypothalamic pituitary axis and depression?

Which of the following essential amino acids is a precursor to serotonin?

Children in comparison to adults with major depressive disorders are more likely to exhibit:

A patient with increased intracranial pressure will have:

What is a key difference between dementia and delirium?

Which of the following is a characteristic of brainstem death?

A 75-year-old man had a cerebrovascular accident. What type of paralysis will be most likely?

Which of the following neurologic disorders is characterized by cortical nerve cell processes that have become twisted and dilated?