NCMHCE FINAL EXAM 2026 ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Gate Control Theory
(Physiology) - ✔✔- Melzack
- the nervous system can handle a limited amount of information at any given time and
excess sensory info is blocked by cells in the spinal column.
- one way to reduce pain is to apply more sensory input, like heat or cold
✔✔General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
(Physiology) - ✔✔- Selye
- 3 stages to response managed by adrenal and pituitary glands
1. Stimulation = hypothalamus stimulates the adrenal medulla to release epinephrine.
Glucose levels rise, increasing heart rate and respiration
2. Resistance = body tries to resist stress by regulating heart rate and respiration.
Hypothalamus tells the pituitary gland to release ACTH
> ACTH = hormone causing cortisol release to maintain high blood glucose levels
3. Exhaustion = glands fatigue and physiological processes break down, resulting in
prolonged stress detrimental to health
✔✔Stages of Sleep
(Physiology) - ✔✔> Run thru all five stages every 90-100 minutes in 3 or 4 times per
night
Stage 1: alpha waves; relaxed awake person
Stage 2: theta waves; relaxation with some bursts of activity (K complexes/sleep
spindles)
Stage 3: delta waves; long & slow
Stage 4: delta with some K complexes and sleep spindles; deep sleep, increased
muscle activity resulting in potential sleepwalking or night terrors
Stage 5: REM with vivid dreams
✔✔REM Sleep
(Physiology) - ✔✔- dreams are remembered if individual is woken up during REM
- physiological activity during REM is almost identical to wake state , yet person is
almost entirely paralyzed
- infants start and spend most of their sleep in REM then transition to Non-REM
> adults spend 20% in REM
- Sleep Deprivation for 48+ hours results in hallucinations, personality changes,
disorientation, and harder time learning new information
✔✔Color Vision and Color Blindness Theories
(Physiology) - ✔✔1. Trichromatic = color receptors exist for three primary colors (red,
green, blue) and all other colors are based on variations/combos of the three
2. Opponent-Process Theory = Hering; proposed three receptors
, - red-green - yellow-blue - white-black
and they are stimulated one way or the other creating differences in color perception
> neither fully explains color perception
> at the retinal level, trichromatic theory holds while the thalamus operates on an
opponent-process model
> Color Blindness = recessive trait on X chromosome
✔✔Theories of Emotion
(Physiology) - ✔✔Six Basic Universal Human Emotions:
1. Fear 2. Anger 3. Happiness 4. Disgust 5. Surprise 6. Sadness
✔✔James-Lange theory of emotion
(Physiology) - ✔✔the theory that emotions arise from the perception of body changes
- supported by the fact that quadriplegics report feeling less-intense emotions
✔✔Cannon-Bard theory of emotion
(Physiology) - ✔✔conscious experience of emotion and physiological arousal occur at
the same time
✔✔Two-factor theory of schachter and singer
(Physiology) - ✔✔emotions are the result of arousal, the cognitive interpretation of the
arousal, and the environment in which the arousal occurs
✔✔Neuroimaging
(Physiology) - ✔✔1. PET = inject patient with radioactive glucose tracer taken up by
active brain cells to determine regional cerebral blood flow, metabolism, and oxygen
consumption. Useful for those with cerebral damage from cerebrovascular disease,
dementia, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, etc.
2. SPECT = provides 3D image using gamma rays
3. CT/CAT = diagnose pathological conditions (tumors, blood clots, MS) and do not
require magnetic field
4. MRI/fMRI= use magnetic fields and radio waves to produce more detailed and 3D
images
✔✔Hereditary forms of intellectual disability
(Physiology) - ✔✔- Tay-Sachs
- Fragile X
- Phenylketonuria
✔✔Most intellectual disabilities have a ___________ origin. What percentage?
,(Physiology) - ✔✔30%: mutations in the embryo during the first trimester
10%: pregnancy or perinatal problems (malnutrition, anoxia, HIV)
5%: general medical conditions (lead poisoning)
20%: environmental or other mental disorders (autism)
✔✔Specific learning disorder
(Diagnosis) - ✔✔- 6 months of:
- incorrect spelling
- problems with math reasoning, calculation, and/or number sense
- difficulty reading/understanding what is read
- difficulty using grammar and syntax
- CO-MORBIDITIES: language development delays, motor coordination deficits,
attention and memory problems, low self-esteem
- rated as mild, moderate, or severe
- boys more likely to develop reading disorders
- more likely to display antisocial bx as an adult if goes untreated
✔✔PKU (phenylketonuria)
(Diagnosis) - ✔✔- can cause intellectual disability
- chrom 12 mutation leads to error in converting phenylalanine to tyrosine
- fail to meet dev milestones, microcephaly, progressive neurological decline/MR,
seizures, hyperactivity, LD, eczema
- disproportionately affects fair, blue-eyed babies
- diagnosed with a blood test
✔✔Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21)
(Diagnosis) - ✔✔- a condition of 20-30% of intellectual disability and associated physical
disorders caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21.
- common physical conditions: slanted eyes, epicanthic folds on eyes, large protruding
tongue, short, bent fifth finger, simian fold across palm
✔✔Communication Disorders
(Diagnosis) - ✔✔> number of disorders lumped under one title
- language disorders
- speech sound disorders
- childhood-onset fluency disorders (stuttering)
- social communication disorders
✔✔Autism Spectrum Disorder
(Diagnosis) - ✔✔- 2 categories to diagnose:
1. a) Qualitative impairment in social interactions
b) Qualitative impairment in communication
2. Restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped bx, interests, and activities
- Severity Levels:
> Level 1 = requires support
, > Level 2 = requires substantial support
> Level 3 = requires very substantial support
- 1/3 of children diagnosed will be independent
- many are diagnosed as deaf
- reduced cerebellum, enlarged ventricles, abnormal levels of norepinephrine, serotonin,
and dopamine
✔✔ADHD
(Diagnosis) - ✔✔- Display 6+ symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity before the age of
12 for 6 months
- 3 subtypes:
1. Predominantly Inattentive Type
2. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
3. Combined Type = 6+ symptoms from each
- score lower on IQ tests despite having average or above average intelligence
- reading problems, social adjustment, conduct disorder, ODD, anxiety, and major
depression
-4-9x more likely to occur in boys but equals out in adulthood
- genetically linked
-structural abnormalities in frontal cortex, basal ganglia, small caudate nucleus, globus
pallidus, and prefrontal cortex
- Medication: stimulates frontal lobe
> methylphenidate = ritalin
> amphetamine = dexedrine
- classroom management, psychosocial intervention, self-regulate bx
✔✔Conduct Disorder
(Diagnosis) - ✔✔> 3/15 symptoms over 12 months:
> Criteria A: persistent bx ignoring ruels or societal norms, violating others' rights and
property, aggression to people/animals
> Criteria B: causes academic/social/other impairments
> Criteria C: bx isn't classified as antisocial
> Moffitt's 2 basic types:
1. Life-course-persistent = begins early and gets worse over time as a result of
neurological impairments, temperament, or adverse circumstances
2. Adolescence-limited = usually result of temporary disparity b/w individual's biological
maturity and freedom; usually committed with friends
> Treatment
- best if caught early and administered to family
- parent therapy, behavioral (SR+/SR-)
✔✔Oppositional Defiant Disorder
(Diagnosis) - ✔✔> Similar to conduct disorder
- negative/hostile bx towards authority
- frequent temper and rages
- deliberately annoy others
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Gate Control Theory
(Physiology) - ✔✔- Melzack
- the nervous system can handle a limited amount of information at any given time and
excess sensory info is blocked by cells in the spinal column.
- one way to reduce pain is to apply more sensory input, like heat or cold
✔✔General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
(Physiology) - ✔✔- Selye
- 3 stages to response managed by adrenal and pituitary glands
1. Stimulation = hypothalamus stimulates the adrenal medulla to release epinephrine.
Glucose levels rise, increasing heart rate and respiration
2. Resistance = body tries to resist stress by regulating heart rate and respiration.
Hypothalamus tells the pituitary gland to release ACTH
> ACTH = hormone causing cortisol release to maintain high blood glucose levels
3. Exhaustion = glands fatigue and physiological processes break down, resulting in
prolonged stress detrimental to health
✔✔Stages of Sleep
(Physiology) - ✔✔> Run thru all five stages every 90-100 minutes in 3 or 4 times per
night
Stage 1: alpha waves; relaxed awake person
Stage 2: theta waves; relaxation with some bursts of activity (K complexes/sleep
spindles)
Stage 3: delta waves; long & slow
Stage 4: delta with some K complexes and sleep spindles; deep sleep, increased
muscle activity resulting in potential sleepwalking or night terrors
Stage 5: REM with vivid dreams
✔✔REM Sleep
(Physiology) - ✔✔- dreams are remembered if individual is woken up during REM
- physiological activity during REM is almost identical to wake state , yet person is
almost entirely paralyzed
- infants start and spend most of their sleep in REM then transition to Non-REM
> adults spend 20% in REM
- Sleep Deprivation for 48+ hours results in hallucinations, personality changes,
disorientation, and harder time learning new information
✔✔Color Vision and Color Blindness Theories
(Physiology) - ✔✔1. Trichromatic = color receptors exist for three primary colors (red,
green, blue) and all other colors are based on variations/combos of the three
2. Opponent-Process Theory = Hering; proposed three receptors
, - red-green - yellow-blue - white-black
and they are stimulated one way or the other creating differences in color perception
> neither fully explains color perception
> at the retinal level, trichromatic theory holds while the thalamus operates on an
opponent-process model
> Color Blindness = recessive trait on X chromosome
✔✔Theories of Emotion
(Physiology) - ✔✔Six Basic Universal Human Emotions:
1. Fear 2. Anger 3. Happiness 4. Disgust 5. Surprise 6. Sadness
✔✔James-Lange theory of emotion
(Physiology) - ✔✔the theory that emotions arise from the perception of body changes
- supported by the fact that quadriplegics report feeling less-intense emotions
✔✔Cannon-Bard theory of emotion
(Physiology) - ✔✔conscious experience of emotion and physiological arousal occur at
the same time
✔✔Two-factor theory of schachter and singer
(Physiology) - ✔✔emotions are the result of arousal, the cognitive interpretation of the
arousal, and the environment in which the arousal occurs
✔✔Neuroimaging
(Physiology) - ✔✔1. PET = inject patient with radioactive glucose tracer taken up by
active brain cells to determine regional cerebral blood flow, metabolism, and oxygen
consumption. Useful for those with cerebral damage from cerebrovascular disease,
dementia, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, etc.
2. SPECT = provides 3D image using gamma rays
3. CT/CAT = diagnose pathological conditions (tumors, blood clots, MS) and do not
require magnetic field
4. MRI/fMRI= use magnetic fields and radio waves to produce more detailed and 3D
images
✔✔Hereditary forms of intellectual disability
(Physiology) - ✔✔- Tay-Sachs
- Fragile X
- Phenylketonuria
✔✔Most intellectual disabilities have a ___________ origin. What percentage?
,(Physiology) - ✔✔30%: mutations in the embryo during the first trimester
10%: pregnancy or perinatal problems (malnutrition, anoxia, HIV)
5%: general medical conditions (lead poisoning)
20%: environmental or other mental disorders (autism)
✔✔Specific learning disorder
(Diagnosis) - ✔✔- 6 months of:
- incorrect spelling
- problems with math reasoning, calculation, and/or number sense
- difficulty reading/understanding what is read
- difficulty using grammar and syntax
- CO-MORBIDITIES: language development delays, motor coordination deficits,
attention and memory problems, low self-esteem
- rated as mild, moderate, or severe
- boys more likely to develop reading disorders
- more likely to display antisocial bx as an adult if goes untreated
✔✔PKU (phenylketonuria)
(Diagnosis) - ✔✔- can cause intellectual disability
- chrom 12 mutation leads to error in converting phenylalanine to tyrosine
- fail to meet dev milestones, microcephaly, progressive neurological decline/MR,
seizures, hyperactivity, LD, eczema
- disproportionately affects fair, blue-eyed babies
- diagnosed with a blood test
✔✔Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21)
(Diagnosis) - ✔✔- a condition of 20-30% of intellectual disability and associated physical
disorders caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21.
- common physical conditions: slanted eyes, epicanthic folds on eyes, large protruding
tongue, short, bent fifth finger, simian fold across palm
✔✔Communication Disorders
(Diagnosis) - ✔✔> number of disorders lumped under one title
- language disorders
- speech sound disorders
- childhood-onset fluency disorders (stuttering)
- social communication disorders
✔✔Autism Spectrum Disorder
(Diagnosis) - ✔✔- 2 categories to diagnose:
1. a) Qualitative impairment in social interactions
b) Qualitative impairment in communication
2. Restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped bx, interests, and activities
- Severity Levels:
> Level 1 = requires support
, > Level 2 = requires substantial support
> Level 3 = requires very substantial support
- 1/3 of children diagnosed will be independent
- many are diagnosed as deaf
- reduced cerebellum, enlarged ventricles, abnormal levels of norepinephrine, serotonin,
and dopamine
✔✔ADHD
(Diagnosis) - ✔✔- Display 6+ symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity before the age of
12 for 6 months
- 3 subtypes:
1. Predominantly Inattentive Type
2. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
3. Combined Type = 6+ symptoms from each
- score lower on IQ tests despite having average or above average intelligence
- reading problems, social adjustment, conduct disorder, ODD, anxiety, and major
depression
-4-9x more likely to occur in boys but equals out in adulthood
- genetically linked
-structural abnormalities in frontal cortex, basal ganglia, small caudate nucleus, globus
pallidus, and prefrontal cortex
- Medication: stimulates frontal lobe
> methylphenidate = ritalin
> amphetamine = dexedrine
- classroom management, psychosocial intervention, self-regulate bx
✔✔Conduct Disorder
(Diagnosis) - ✔✔> 3/15 symptoms over 12 months:
> Criteria A: persistent bx ignoring ruels or societal norms, violating others' rights and
property, aggression to people/animals
> Criteria B: causes academic/social/other impairments
> Criteria C: bx isn't classified as antisocial
> Moffitt's 2 basic types:
1. Life-course-persistent = begins early and gets worse over time as a result of
neurological impairments, temperament, or adverse circumstances
2. Adolescence-limited = usually result of temporary disparity b/w individual's biological
maturity and freedom; usually committed with friends
> Treatment
- best if caught early and administered to family
- parent therapy, behavioral (SR+/SR-)
✔✔Oppositional Defiant Disorder
(Diagnosis) - ✔✔> Similar to conduct disorder
- negative/hostile bx towards authority
- frequent temper and rages
- deliberately annoy others
