CU NR 546 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS 2026-2027
How does reviewing the genetic makeup of a client help guide the PMHNP in selecting medication for
clients? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Genetic testing can assist by providing more information on how clients may respond to certain psycho
tropic medications, as well as providing information on how a client may break down and metabolize
medications based on the cytochrome P450 system.
There may be an environmental exposure that turned a gene "on" that should have been "off" for one
twin to develop schizophrenia and not the other
. Both environmental and psychosocial stressors can impact mental health. Although twins may have id
entical genes, their gene expression may be different.
Neuroscience - CORRECT ANSWER -
is the study of the structure and function of the brain and is a field which is making great advancemen
ts (Pliszka, 2016). A strong foundational understanding of neuroscience and how the structure and fun
ction of the brain can result in mental health symptoms is necessary to treat mental illnesses.
Some mental disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder are t
hought to be a result of malformations or malfunctions within the brain.
The psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) must comprehend how medications impact t
he brain in order to safely and effectively prescribe psychotropic medications.
Brain tissue - CORRECT ANSWER -is composed of gray and white matter.
gray matter - CORRECT ANSWER -The cerebellum, cerebrum, brain stem, and the butterfly-
shaped portion of the central spinal cord are comprised of gray matter which contains neural cell bodi
es, axon terminals, dendrites, and all nerve synapses.
, It is the working area of the brain and the focus of psychiatry and neurology.
Gray matter - CORRECT ANSWER -associated with learning.
Changes in the gray matter are linked to psychiatric diagnoses including Alzheimer's disease, schizophr
enia, and major depressive disorder.
White Matter - CORRECT ANSWER -
contains nerve fibers that connect neurons from different regions into functional circuits.
The myelin that coats neuronal axons is necessary for electrical impulse transmission.
Think of the white matter as a transit system. If there are breaks in the system, then people cannot ge
t to their destinations.
Within the brain, these breaks affect neural communication, affecting behavior.
Damage to the myelin can impair transmission which can impact not only sensory and motor function,
but also cognition.
White matter abnormalities are associated with autism and vascular dementia.
The central sulcus separates which lobes? - CORRECT ANSWER -frontal lobe from parietal lobe
Frontal lobe - CORRECT ANSWER -Associated with movement, intelligence, abstract thinking. etc.
Broca's area - CORRECT ANSWER -Speech
ANSWERS 2026-2027
How does reviewing the genetic makeup of a client help guide the PMHNP in selecting medication for
clients? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Genetic testing can assist by providing more information on how clients may respond to certain psycho
tropic medications, as well as providing information on how a client may break down and metabolize
medications based on the cytochrome P450 system.
There may be an environmental exposure that turned a gene "on" that should have been "off" for one
twin to develop schizophrenia and not the other
. Both environmental and psychosocial stressors can impact mental health. Although twins may have id
entical genes, their gene expression may be different.
Neuroscience - CORRECT ANSWER -
is the study of the structure and function of the brain and is a field which is making great advancemen
ts (Pliszka, 2016). A strong foundational understanding of neuroscience and how the structure and fun
ction of the brain can result in mental health symptoms is necessary to treat mental illnesses.
Some mental disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder are t
hought to be a result of malformations or malfunctions within the brain.
The psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) must comprehend how medications impact t
he brain in order to safely and effectively prescribe psychotropic medications.
Brain tissue - CORRECT ANSWER -is composed of gray and white matter.
gray matter - CORRECT ANSWER -The cerebellum, cerebrum, brain stem, and the butterfly-
shaped portion of the central spinal cord are comprised of gray matter which contains neural cell bodi
es, axon terminals, dendrites, and all nerve synapses.
, It is the working area of the brain and the focus of psychiatry and neurology.
Gray matter - CORRECT ANSWER -associated with learning.
Changes in the gray matter are linked to psychiatric diagnoses including Alzheimer's disease, schizophr
enia, and major depressive disorder.
White Matter - CORRECT ANSWER -
contains nerve fibers that connect neurons from different regions into functional circuits.
The myelin that coats neuronal axons is necessary for electrical impulse transmission.
Think of the white matter as a transit system. If there are breaks in the system, then people cannot ge
t to their destinations.
Within the brain, these breaks affect neural communication, affecting behavior.
Damage to the myelin can impair transmission which can impact not only sensory and motor function,
but also cognition.
White matter abnormalities are associated with autism and vascular dementia.
The central sulcus separates which lobes? - CORRECT ANSWER -frontal lobe from parietal lobe
Frontal lobe - CORRECT ANSWER -Associated with movement, intelligence, abstract thinking. etc.
Broca's area - CORRECT ANSWER -Speech
