While practicing at an outpatient addiction clinic, the nurse summarizes a diagram in the orientation handbook for another nurse who is new to the clinic. That diagram is reproduced below. Which of the following statements on the part of the new nurse would reflect an appropriate understanding of this diagram?
A)"Most abused substances either imitate or block the action of neurotransmitters."
B)"In order to be addictive, a substance must cause the release of excess neurotransmitters."
C)"Substances that exert antagonistic effects can be used to counteract the addictive tendencies of substances that exert agonistic effects."
D)"People with addictive personalities process neurotransmitters differently than people who are less prone to addiction."

Question

While practicing at an outpatient addiction clinic, the nurse summarizes a diagram in the orientation handbook for another nurse who is new to the clinic. That diagram is reproduced below. Which of the following statements on the part of the new nurse would reflect an appropriate understanding of this diagram? 
A)"Most abused substances either imitate or block the action of neurotransmitters." 
B)"In order to be addictive, a substance must cause the release of excess neurotransmitters." 
C)"Substances that exert antagonistic effects can be used to counteract the addictive tendencies of substances that exert agonistic effects." 
D)"People with addictive personalities process neurotransmitters differently than people who are less prone to addiction."

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A)Most abused substances either mimic or block neurotransmitters at critical receptor sites. These drugs exert agonistic effects if they boost neurotransmitter synthesis, increase neurotransmitter release, or activate receptors that normally respond to neurotransmitters (as illustrated in the top half of the diagram). Conversely, they exert antagonistic effects if they interfere with neurotransmitter release, occupy receptor sites that are normally sensitive to neurotransmitters, or cause leakage of neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles (as shown in the bottom half of the diagram). Both drugs with agonistic effects and those with antagonistic effects can be addictive, and administering one class of drug will not counteract the addictive tendencies of the other class. Researchers have not identified an addictive personality type.
B)Most abused substances either mimic or block neurotransmitters at critical receptor sites. These drugs exert agonistic effects if they boost neurotransmitter synthesis, increase neurotransmitter release, or activate receptors that normally respond to neurotransmitters (as illustrated in the top half of the diagram). Conversely, they exert antagonistic effects if they interfere with neurotransmitter release, occupy receptor sites that are normally sensitive to neurotransmitters, or cause leakage of neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles (as shown in the bottom half of the diagram). Both drugs with agonistic effects and those with antagonistic effects can be addictive, and administering one class of drug will not counteract the addictive tendencies of the other class. Researchers have not identified an addictive personality type.
C)Most abused substances either mimic or block neurotransmitters at critical receptor sites. These drugs exert agonistic effects if they boost neurotransmitter synthesis, increase neurotransmitter release, or activate receptors that normally respond to neurotransmitters (as illustrated in the top half of the diagram). Conversely, they exert antagonistic effects if they interfere with neurotransmitter release, occupy receptor sites that are normally sensitive to neurotransmitters, or cause leakage of neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles (as shown in the bottom half of the diagram). Both drugs with agonistic effects and those with antagonistic effects can be addictive, and administering one class of drug will not counteract the addictive tendencies of the other class. Researchers have not identified an addictive personality type.
D)Most abused substances either mimic or block neurotransmitters at critical receptor sites. These drugs exert agonistic effects if they boost neurotransmitter synthesis, increase neurotransmitter release, or activate receptors that normally respond to neurotransmitters (as illustrated in the top half of the diagram). Conversely, they exert antagonistic effects if they interfere with neurotransmitter release, occupy receptor sites that are normally sensitive to neurotransmitters, or cause leakage of neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles (as shown in the bottom half of the diagram). Both drugs with agonistic effects and those with antagonistic effects can be addictive, and administering one class of drug will not counteract the addictive tendencies of the other class. Researchers have not identified an addictive personality type.

While Practicing at an Outpatient Addiction Clinic, the Nurse Summarizes