Deck 4: Concepts of Psychobiology

Question 1

A withdrawn client diagnosed with schizophrenia expresses little emotion and refuses to attend group therapy. What altered component of the nervous system should a nurse recognize as being responsible for this behavior?

A)Dendrites
B)Axons
C)Neurotransmitters
D)Synapses

Answer 1

Neurotransmitters

Question 2

A client is admitted to a psychiatric unit with the diagnosis of catatonic schizophrenia. Which of the client's neurotransmitters should a nurse expect to be elevated?

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

Answer 2

Dopamine

Question 3

A student nurse is studying the effect of the drug isocarboxazid (Marplan) on neurobiology. The student should recognize that the neurotransmitter serotonin is catabolized by which enzyme?

A)Glycosyltransferase
B)Peptidase
C)Polymerase
D)Monoamine oxidase

Answer 3

Monoamine oxidase

Question 4

A depressed client states, "I have a chemical imbalance in my brain. I have no control over my behavior. Medications are my only hope to feel normal again." Which nursing response is appropriate?

A)"Medications only address biological factors.Environmental and interpersonal factors must also be considered."
B)"Because biological factors are the sole cause of depression, medications will improve your mood."
C)"Environmental factors have been shown to exert the most influence in the development of depression."
D)"Researchers have been unable to demonstrate a link between nature (biology and genetics) and nurture (environment)."

Question 5

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

A)The study of neuroendocrinology
B)The study of psychoimmunology
C)The study of diagnostic technology
D)The study of neurophysiology

Question 6

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 presentation of these symptoms?

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

Question 7

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

A)Schizophrenia
B)Depression
C)Body dysmorphic disorder
D)Parkinson's disease

Question 8

Which part of the nervous system should a nurse identify as playing a major role during stressful situations?

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

Question 9

An instructor is teaching nursing students about neurotransmitters. Which term best explains the process of how neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft may return to the presynaptic neuron?

A)Regeneration
B)Reuptake
C)Recycling
D)Retransmission

Question 10

Which mental illness should a nurse identify as being associated with a decrease in prolactin hormone level?

A)Major depression
B)Schizophrenia
C)Anorexia nervosa
D)Alzheimer's disease

Question 11

A nurse understands that the abnormal secretion of growth hormone may play a role in which illness?

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

Question 12

Which types of adoption studies should a nurse recognize as providing useful information for the psychiatric community?

A)Studies in which children with mentally ill biological parents are raised by adoptive parents who were mentally healthy
B)Studies in which children with mentally healthy biological parents are raised by adoptive parents who were mentally ill
C)Studies in which monozygotic twins from mentally ill parents were raised separately by different adoptive parents
D)Studies in which monozygotic twins were raised together by mentally ill biological parents
E)All of the above

Question 13

Which client statement reflects an understanding of the effect of circadian rhythms on psychopathology?

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 in the a.m."
D)"Every February, I tend to experience periods of sadness."

Question 14

A nurse concludes that a restless, agitated client is manifesting a "fight-or-flight" response. The nurse should associate this response with which neurotransmitter?

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

Question 15

Which client diagnosis should a nurse associate with a decrease in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)?

A)Alzheimer's disease
B)Schizophrenia
C)Panic disorder
D)Depression

Question 16

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 17

Which cerebral structure should 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 18

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 advice?

A)The therapist is using an interpersonal approach.
B)The client has an alteration in neurotransmitters.
C)It is routine practice to remind clients about nutrition, exercise, and rest.
D)The client is susceptible to illness due to effects of stress on the immune system.

Question 19

A nurse should recognize that a decrease in norepinephrine levels would play a significant role in which mental illness?

A)Mania
B)Schizophrenia
C)Anxiety
D)Depression

Question 20

A nursing instructor is teaching about the monoamine category of neurotransmitters. Which student statement indicates that learning about the function of norepinephrine has occurred?

A)Norepinephrine functions to regulate movement, coordination, and emotions.
B)Norepinephrine functions to regulate mood, cognition, and perception.
C)Norepinephrine functions to regulate arousal, libido, and appetite.
D)Norepinephrine functions to regulate pain, inflammatory response, and wakefulness.

Question 21

During a sleep study, a delta rhythm has been recorded for a client experiencing sleep apnea. The nurse recognizes the characteristic that is associated with this rhythm. What stage of sleep activity would be documented?

A)Delta rhythm is a period of dozing occurring in stage 1 of sleep activity.
B)Delta rhythm is a period of deep and restful sleep occurring in stage 3 of sleep activity.
C)Delta rhythm is a period of relaxed waking occurring in stage 0 of sleep activity.
D)Delta rhythm is a period of dreaming occurring in stage 2 of sleep activity.

Question 22

Which of the following information should 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 altered levels of oxytocin and anorexia nervosa.

Question 23

Which of the following symptoms should a nurse associate with increased levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in a newly admitted client? (Select all that apply.)

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

Question 24

Which of the following symptoms should a nurse expect to assess in a client experiencing elevated levels of thyroid hormone? (Select all that apply.)

A)Emotional lability
B)Depression
C)Insomnia
D)Restlessness
E)Apathy