BESTLEC
Test Bank
Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific Basis and Practical Applications.
5th Edition by Stephen M. Stahl
All Chapters Covered| Answers Provided| Latest Edition
C
LE
ST
BE
1
, BESTLEC
Chapter 1 Chemical neurotransmission
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient with depression mentions to the nurse, My mother says depression is a chemical
disorder. What does she mean? The nurses response is based on the theory that depression pr
arily involves which of the following neurotransmitters?
a. Cortisol and GABA
b. COMT and glutamate
c. Mona ne and glycine
d. Serotonin and norepinephrine
Answer: D
C
One possible cause of depression is thought to involve one or more neurotransmitters Serotonin
and norepinephrine have been found to be portant in the regulation o f depression. There is no
LE
research to support that the other options play a significant role in the development of
depression.
2. A patient has experienced a stroke (cerebral vascular accident) that has resulted idamage
ST
to the Broca area. Which evaluation does the nurse conduct to reinforce this diagnosis?
a. Observing the patient pick up a spoon
BE
b. Asking the patient to recite the alphabet
c. Monitoring the patients blood pressure
d. Comparing the patients grip strength in both hands
Answer: B
Accidents or strokes that damage Brocas area may result in the inability to speak (i.
ie.,mmotor aphasia). Fine motor skills, blood pressure control, and muscle strength are
not controlled by the Broca area of the left frontal lobe.
3. The patient diagnosed with schizophrenia asks why psychotropic medications are always
prescribed by the doctor. The nurses answer will be based on information that the therapeutic
action of psychotropic drugs is the result of their effect on:
2
, BESTLEC
a. The temporal lobe; especially Wernickes area
b. Dendrites and their ability to trans t electrical pulses
c. The regulation of neurotransmitters especially dopa ne
d. The peripheral nervous system sensitivity to the psychotropic medications
Answer: C
Medications used to treat psychiatric disorders operate in and around the synaptic cleft and have
action at the neurotransmitter level, especially in the case of schizophrenia, on dopa ne. The
Wernickes area, dendrite function, or the sensitivity of the peripheral nervous system are not
relevant to either schizophrenia or psychotropic medications.
4. A student nurse mutters that it seems entirely unnecessary to have to struggle with
C
understanding the anatomy and physiology of the neurologic system. The mentor would base a
response on the understanding that it is:
LE
Necessary but generally for psychiatric nurses who focus pr arily o
a. Necessary but generally for psychiatric nurses who focus pr arily on behavioral interventions
ST
b. A complex undertaking that advance practice psychiatric nurses frequently u
se n their practice
BE
i
c. Important pr arily for the nursing assessment of patients with brain
trauma caused cognitive symptoms
d. Necessary for planning psychiatric care for all patients especially those
experiencing psychiatric disorders
Answer: D
3
, BESTLEC
A complex undertaking that advance practice psychiatric nurses frequently u sei n their practice
Important pr arily for the nursing assessment of patients with brain trauma caused cognitive
symptoms
Necessary for planning psychiatric care for all patients especially those experiencing psychiatric
disorders
Nurses must understand that many symptoms of psychiatric disorders have a neuro logic basis,
although the symptoms are manifested behaviorally. This understanding facilitates effective care
planning. The foundation of knowledge is not mused exclusively by advanced practice
psychiatric nurses nor is it relevant for only behavior therapies or brain trauma since dealing with
the results of normal and abnormal bra in function is a responsibility of all nurses providing all
types of care to the psychiatric patient.
5. A patient asks the nurse, My wife has breast cancer. Could it be caused by her chronic
depression? Which response is supported by research data?
C
a. Too much stress has been proven to cause all kinds of cancer.
b.
LE
There have been no research studies done on stress and disease yet.
c. Stress does cause the release of factors that suppress the mune system.
d. There appears to be little connection between stress and diseases of the body Answer: C
ST
Research indicates that stress causes a release of corticotropin-
releasing factors that suppress the mune system. Studies indicate that psychiatric disorders such
as mood disorders are somet es associated with decreased functioning of the mune system
BE
research does not support a connection between many cancers and stress. There is a significant
amount of research about stress and the body. Research has shown that there are some
connections between stress and physical disease.
6. A patient who has a parietal lobe injury is being evaluated for psychiatric rehabil itation
needs. Of the aspects of functioning listed, which will the nurse identify as a focus of nursing
intervention?
a. Expression of emotion
b. Detecting auditory st uli
4
Test Bank
Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific Basis and Practical Applications.
5th Edition by Stephen M. Stahl
All Chapters Covered| Answers Provided| Latest Edition
C
LE
ST
BE
1
, BESTLEC
Chapter 1 Chemical neurotransmission
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient with depression mentions to the nurse, My mother says depression is a chemical
disorder. What does she mean? The nurses response is based on the theory that depression pr
arily involves which of the following neurotransmitters?
a. Cortisol and GABA
b. COMT and glutamate
c. Mona ne and glycine
d. Serotonin and norepinephrine
Answer: D
C
One possible cause of depression is thought to involve one or more neurotransmitters Serotonin
and norepinephrine have been found to be portant in the regulation o f depression. There is no
LE
research to support that the other options play a significant role in the development of
depression.
2. A patient has experienced a stroke (cerebral vascular accident) that has resulted idamage
ST
to the Broca area. Which evaluation does the nurse conduct to reinforce this diagnosis?
a. Observing the patient pick up a spoon
BE
b. Asking the patient to recite the alphabet
c. Monitoring the patients blood pressure
d. Comparing the patients grip strength in both hands
Answer: B
Accidents or strokes that damage Brocas area may result in the inability to speak (i.
ie.,mmotor aphasia). Fine motor skills, blood pressure control, and muscle strength are
not controlled by the Broca area of the left frontal lobe.
3. The patient diagnosed with schizophrenia asks why psychotropic medications are always
prescribed by the doctor. The nurses answer will be based on information that the therapeutic
action of psychotropic drugs is the result of their effect on:
2
, BESTLEC
a. The temporal lobe; especially Wernickes area
b. Dendrites and their ability to trans t electrical pulses
c. The regulation of neurotransmitters especially dopa ne
d. The peripheral nervous system sensitivity to the psychotropic medications
Answer: C
Medications used to treat psychiatric disorders operate in and around the synaptic cleft and have
action at the neurotransmitter level, especially in the case of schizophrenia, on dopa ne. The
Wernickes area, dendrite function, or the sensitivity of the peripheral nervous system are not
relevant to either schizophrenia or psychotropic medications.
4. A student nurse mutters that it seems entirely unnecessary to have to struggle with
C
understanding the anatomy and physiology of the neurologic system. The mentor would base a
response on the understanding that it is:
LE
Necessary but generally for psychiatric nurses who focus pr arily o
a. Necessary but generally for psychiatric nurses who focus pr arily on behavioral interventions
ST
b. A complex undertaking that advance practice psychiatric nurses frequently u
se n their practice
BE
i
c. Important pr arily for the nursing assessment of patients with brain
trauma caused cognitive symptoms
d. Necessary for planning psychiatric care for all patients especially those
experiencing psychiatric disorders
Answer: D
3
, BESTLEC
A complex undertaking that advance practice psychiatric nurses frequently u sei n their practice
Important pr arily for the nursing assessment of patients with brain trauma caused cognitive
symptoms
Necessary for planning psychiatric care for all patients especially those experiencing psychiatric
disorders
Nurses must understand that many symptoms of psychiatric disorders have a neuro logic basis,
although the symptoms are manifested behaviorally. This understanding facilitates effective care
planning. The foundation of knowledge is not mused exclusively by advanced practice
psychiatric nurses nor is it relevant for only behavior therapies or brain trauma since dealing with
the results of normal and abnormal bra in function is a responsibility of all nurses providing all
types of care to the psychiatric patient.
5. A patient asks the nurse, My wife has breast cancer. Could it be caused by her chronic
depression? Which response is supported by research data?
C
a. Too much stress has been proven to cause all kinds of cancer.
b.
LE
There have been no research studies done on stress and disease yet.
c. Stress does cause the release of factors that suppress the mune system.
d. There appears to be little connection between stress and diseases of the body Answer: C
ST
Research indicates that stress causes a release of corticotropin-
releasing factors that suppress the mune system. Studies indicate that psychiatric disorders such
as mood disorders are somet es associated with decreased functioning of the mune system
BE
research does not support a connection between many cancers and stress. There is a significant
amount of research about stress and the body. Research has shown that there are some
connections between stress and physical disease.
6. A patient who has a parietal lobe injury is being evaluated for psychiatric rehabil itation
needs. Of the aspects of functioning listed, which will the nurse identify as a focus of nursing
intervention?
a. Expression of emotion
b. Detecting auditory st uli
4
