NURS 660 Exam 3 anxiety, sleep, pain
Study Guide with Complete Solutions 2026
Update
Amygdala - ANSWERS Plays a role in FEAR response w. overstim
- "Remembers the stimuli" that leads to anxiety or panic. It does this by increasing
the efficiency of the neurotransmission at glutaminergic synapses in the lateral
amygdala as sensory input about the stimuli comes in from the thalamus or
sensory cortex. The input is then relayed to the central amygdala where fear
conditioning occurs, further strengthening the circuit at NMDA receptors (where
learning is embedded). Therefore, when similar input from the sensory cortex and
thalamus occurs, the central amygdala has a quicker response producing fear
anterior pituitary gland - ANSWERS Involved with feelings of anxiety and
depression.
- Anticipatory anxiety and generalized anxiety disorders activate both the
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and the sympathoadrenal axes
Hippocampus - ANSWERS MEMORY
Anxiety is triggered not only by external stimuli but also internally from traumatic
memories stored in the hippocampus.These traumatic memories activate the
amygdala, causing it in turn, to activate other brain regions to generate a fear
response. This is termed re-experiencing, and it is a particular feature of PTSD.
Additionally, the α5 subtype located mostly in the hippocampus have been linked
to cognition and sedation (sleep).
, -Hippocampus stores memories. With PTSD, they are re-experiencing their trauma
and horrible memories. So hippocampus is responsible as it reminds them of
those bad memories
- involved in memory, coding, and retrieval
- "The hippocampus: internal fearmonger and re-experiencing"
Hypothalamus - ANSWERS - Sleep-wake switch: histamine and GABA regulated
in hypothalamus; both hyper and hypoarousal can cause cognitive dysfunction
- It is a control center for neuroendocrine secretion and homeostasis for
autonomic functions needed for survival.
- temperature regulation
Parabrachial nucleus- - ANSWERS - ANXIETY ATTACK w/ overstim
-the activation of the parabrachial nucleus causes a person to have difficulty
breathing and an increased heart rate during an anxiety attack. Changes in
respiration may occur during a fear response; these changes are regulated by
activation of the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) via the amygdala. Inappropriate or
excessive activation of the PBN can lead not only to increases in the rate of
respiration but also to symptoms such as shortness of breath, exacerbation of
asthma, or a sense of being smothered.
respiratory rate
shortness of breath
asthma
Periaqueductal gray (PAG) - ANSWERS Functions of PAG: /regulation of the
heart rate and blood pressure, Autonomic Process (e.g. bladder control and
Study Guide with Complete Solutions 2026
Update
Amygdala - ANSWERS Plays a role in FEAR response w. overstim
- "Remembers the stimuli" that leads to anxiety or panic. It does this by increasing
the efficiency of the neurotransmission at glutaminergic synapses in the lateral
amygdala as sensory input about the stimuli comes in from the thalamus or
sensory cortex. The input is then relayed to the central amygdala where fear
conditioning occurs, further strengthening the circuit at NMDA receptors (where
learning is embedded). Therefore, when similar input from the sensory cortex and
thalamus occurs, the central amygdala has a quicker response producing fear
anterior pituitary gland - ANSWERS Involved with feelings of anxiety and
depression.
- Anticipatory anxiety and generalized anxiety disorders activate both the
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and the sympathoadrenal axes
Hippocampus - ANSWERS MEMORY
Anxiety is triggered not only by external stimuli but also internally from traumatic
memories stored in the hippocampus.These traumatic memories activate the
amygdala, causing it in turn, to activate other brain regions to generate a fear
response. This is termed re-experiencing, and it is a particular feature of PTSD.
Additionally, the α5 subtype located mostly in the hippocampus have been linked
to cognition and sedation (sleep).
, -Hippocampus stores memories. With PTSD, they are re-experiencing their trauma
and horrible memories. So hippocampus is responsible as it reminds them of
those bad memories
- involved in memory, coding, and retrieval
- "The hippocampus: internal fearmonger and re-experiencing"
Hypothalamus - ANSWERS - Sleep-wake switch: histamine and GABA regulated
in hypothalamus; both hyper and hypoarousal can cause cognitive dysfunction
- It is a control center for neuroendocrine secretion and homeostasis for
autonomic functions needed for survival.
- temperature regulation
Parabrachial nucleus- - ANSWERS - ANXIETY ATTACK w/ overstim
-the activation of the parabrachial nucleus causes a person to have difficulty
breathing and an increased heart rate during an anxiety attack. Changes in
respiration may occur during a fear response; these changes are regulated by
activation of the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) via the amygdala. Inappropriate or
excessive activation of the PBN can lead not only to increases in the rate of
respiration but also to symptoms such as shortness of breath, exacerbation of
asthma, or a sense of being smothered.
respiratory rate
shortness of breath
asthma
Periaqueductal gray (PAG) - ANSWERS Functions of PAG: /regulation of the
heart rate and blood pressure, Autonomic Process (e.g. bladder control and
