Deck 2: Biological Implications

Question 1

A client diagnosed with schizophrenia is experiencing frequent hallucinations. What altered component of the nervous system would a nurse recognize as being responsible for this behavior?

A) Increase in serotonin
B) Decrease in histamine
C) Increase in dopamine
D) Decrease in acetylcholine

Answer 1

Increase in dopamine

Question 2

Which mental illness would a nurse identify as being associated with an increase in prolactin level?

A) Depression
B) Psychosis
C) Anorexia nervosa
D) Alzheimer's disease

Answer 2

Depression

Question 3

The nurse would associate the fight-or-flight response with which neurotransmitter?

A) Acetylcholine
B) Dopamine
C) Serotonin
D) Norepinephrine

Answer 3

Norepinephrine

Question 4

Which are biological implications of both bipolar disorder and panic disorder? (Select all that apply.)

A) Increased levels of dopamine
B) Increased levels of thyroid hormones
C) Decreased cortisol levels
D) Decreased GABA activity
E) Increased levels of norepinephrine

Question 5

The nurse is caring for a client who has been found to have decreased levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Which symptoms would like the client likely exhibit? (Select all that apply.)

A) Depression
B) Fatigue
C) Increased libido
D) Mania
E) Hyperexcitability

Question 6

The junction between two neurons is called a ____________________.

Question 7

A nurse would expect that an increase in dopamine activity might play a significant role in the development of which mental illness?

A) Schizophrenia spectrum disorder
B) Major depressive disorder
C) Tourette syndrome
D) Parkinson's disease

Question 8

Which neurotransmitters would a nurse expect to be elevated in a client with a diagnosis of catatonic schizophrenia?

A) Serotonin
B) Dopamine
C) Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
D) Histamine

Question 9

A client is admitted to an emergency department experiencing memory deficits and decreased motor function. What alteration in brain chemistry should a nurse correlate with the production of these symptoms?

A) Abnormal levels of serotonin
B) Decreased levels of histamine
C) Increased levels of norepinephrine
D) Decreased levels of acetylcholine

Question 10

____________________ is the study of the biological foundations of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral processes.

Question 11

A client's wife of 34 years dies unexpectedly. The client cries often and becomes socially isolated. The client's therapist encourages open discussion of feelings, proper nutrition, and exercise. What is the best rationale for the therapist's recommendations?

A) The therapist recognizes the role of circadian rhythms in the client's condition.
B) The client has an alteration in neurotransmitters.
C) The therapist is attempting to increase the client's acetylcholine levels.
D) The client is susceptible to illness because of effects of stress on the immune system.

Question 12

Which of the following information would a nurse include when explaining causes of anorexia nervosa to a client? (Select all that apply.)

A) There is a possible correlation between abnormal secretion of growth hormone and anorexia nervosa.
B) There is a possible correlation between antidiuretic hormone levels and anorexia nervosa.
C) There is a possible correlation between low levels of gonadotropin and anorexia nervosa.
D) There is a possible correlation between increased levels of prolactin and anorexia nervosa.
E) There is a possible correlation between high levels of oxytocin and anorexia nervosa.

Question 13

A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder asks, "What part of my brain controls my emotions?" Which nursing response is appropriate?

A) "The occipital lobe governs perceptions, judging them as positive or negative."
B) "The parietal lobe has been linked to depression."
C) "The medulla regulates key biological and psychological activities."
D) "The limbic system is largely responsible for one's emotional state."

Question 14

A nurse would identify which part of the nervous system as playing a major role during a stressful situation?

A) Peripheral nervous system
B) Somatic nervous system
C) Sympathetic nervous system
D) Parasympathetic nervous system

Question 15

A nurse is caring for a client with decreased norepinephrine levels. Which mental illness is the client most likely at risk for?

A) Bipolar disorder: mania
B) Schizophrenia
C) Generalized anxiety disorder
D) Major depressive episode

Question 16

Which would a nursing instructor describe to students as the "emotional brain"?

A) The cerebellum
B) The limbic system
C) The cortex
D) The left temporal lobe

Question 17

Six months after her husband and children were killed in a car accident, a client is diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. The nurse would recognize that this situation validates which study perspective?

A) Neuroendocrinology
B) Psychoneuroimmunology
C) Diagnostic technology
D) Neurophysiology

Question 18

Which client statement reflects an understanding of circadian rhythms?

A) "When I dream about my mother's horrible train accident, I become hysterical."
B) "I get really irritable during my menstrual cycle."
C) "I'm a morning person. I get my best work done before noon."
D) "Every February, I tend to experience periods of sadness."

Question 19

A health-care provider prescribes computerized electroencephalography mapping for a client with suspected schizophrenia. Which statement made by the client accurately describes the procedure?

A) "Electrodes will be placed on my scalp and measure and mark waves of activity in my brain."
B) "X-rays will be taken to detect any lesions I might have in my brain."
C) "This test will use magnetic imaging and show if I have any swelling in my brain."
D) "After receiving an injection of a radioactive substance, an image will measure brain functioning and produce an image."

Question 20

The nurse is caring for a client whose diagnosis has been linked to an abnormal secretion of growth hormone. Which illness does the client most likely have?

A) Acute mania
B) Schizophrenia
C) Anorexia nervosa
D) Alzheimer's disease