Liberty University NURS 751 Midterm Study Guide
| Complete Neurobiology & Differential Diagnosis
Exam Notes | PMHNP Exam Review | 2026.
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY NURS 751 MIDTERM EXAM PREP 2026
COMPLETE PRACTICE EXAM: QUESTIONS 1-60
1. Where is serotonin primarily produced in the brain?
A) Substantia nigra
B) Locus coeruleus
C) Raphe nuclei
D) Basal forebrain
Rationale: Serotonin is produced in the raphe nuclei of the brainstem. It is the
primary neurotransmitter associated with mood and anxiety disorders. Dopamine
is produced in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area, norepinephrine in
the locus coeruleus, and acetylcholine in the basal forebrain .
2. Which of the following is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the
brain?
A) GABA
B) Glutamate
C) Glycine
D) Asparate
Rationale: Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain,
involved in cognitive functions such as learning and memory. In contrast, GABA is
the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, with undersupply linked to seizures,
tremors, and insomnia .
,3. A patient presents with an inability to recognize objects through touch
despite intact sensory function. Which lobe is most likely affected?
A) Frontal lobe
B) Temporal lobe
C) Parietal lobe
D) Occipital lobe
Rationale: The parietal lobe is responsible for sensation, taste, reading, and
writing. A problem in this area can result in agnosia, which is the inability to
recognize or interpret sensory stimuli. Frontal lobe issues cause personality
changes, temporal lobe issues affect auditory processing and language
comprehension, and occipital lobe issues affect vision .
4. Which neurotransmitter is decreased in individuals with major depressive
disorder (MDD)?
A) Dopamine
B) Glutamate
C) Serotonin
D) GABA
Rationale: Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that is decreased in individuals with
major depressive disorder. It plays a key role in regulating mood and emotions,
and low levels are strongly associated with depression. Dopamine is more closely
associated with reward and movement, while glutamate is the primary excitatory
neurotransmitter .
5. During the repolarization phase of an action potential, which of the following
occurs?
A) Sodium rushes into the cell
B) Potassium re-enters the cell while sodium exits
, C) Chloride enters the cell
D) Calcium is released into the synapse
Rationale: Repolarization is the restoration phase caused by the reentry of
potassium into the cell while sodium exits the cell. Depolarization is the initial
excitatory phase when sodium rushes into the cell, causing the interior to become
more positive. GABA and glycine are inhibitory neurotransmitters that facilitate
chloride influx .
6. A patient with schizophrenia presents with auditory hallucinations and
delusions. These symptoms are classified as:
A) Positive symptoms
B) Negative symptoms
C) Cognitive symptoms
D) Affective symptoms
Rationale: Auditory hallucinations and delusions are positive symptoms of
schizophrenia, which involve the presence of abnormal behaviors or experiences.
Negative symptoms include anhedonia, alogia, and avolition (depressive-type
symptoms). GABA is decreased in schizophrenia, which impairs synaptic
performance and contributes to negative symptoms .
7. Which of the following is a notable complication of panic disorder?
A) Agoraphobia
B) Generalized anxiety disorder
C) Obsessive-compulsive disorder
D) Social anxiety disorder
Rationale: Agoraphobia is a notable complication of panic disorder. It is
characterized by fear or avoidance of situations or places that might cause panic,
helplessness, or embarrassment, such as crowds or wide-open spaces. Treatment
for panic disorder includes SSRIs, benzodiazepines, and cognitive-behavioral
therapy .
| Complete Neurobiology & Differential Diagnosis
Exam Notes | PMHNP Exam Review | 2026.
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY NURS 751 MIDTERM EXAM PREP 2026
COMPLETE PRACTICE EXAM: QUESTIONS 1-60
1. Where is serotonin primarily produced in the brain?
A) Substantia nigra
B) Locus coeruleus
C) Raphe nuclei
D) Basal forebrain
Rationale: Serotonin is produced in the raphe nuclei of the brainstem. It is the
primary neurotransmitter associated with mood and anxiety disorders. Dopamine
is produced in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area, norepinephrine in
the locus coeruleus, and acetylcholine in the basal forebrain .
2. Which of the following is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the
brain?
A) GABA
B) Glutamate
C) Glycine
D) Asparate
Rationale: Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain,
involved in cognitive functions such as learning and memory. In contrast, GABA is
the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, with undersupply linked to seizures,
tremors, and insomnia .
,3. A patient presents with an inability to recognize objects through touch
despite intact sensory function. Which lobe is most likely affected?
A) Frontal lobe
B) Temporal lobe
C) Parietal lobe
D) Occipital lobe
Rationale: The parietal lobe is responsible for sensation, taste, reading, and
writing. A problem in this area can result in agnosia, which is the inability to
recognize or interpret sensory stimuli. Frontal lobe issues cause personality
changes, temporal lobe issues affect auditory processing and language
comprehension, and occipital lobe issues affect vision .
4. Which neurotransmitter is decreased in individuals with major depressive
disorder (MDD)?
A) Dopamine
B) Glutamate
C) Serotonin
D) GABA
Rationale: Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that is decreased in individuals with
major depressive disorder. It plays a key role in regulating mood and emotions,
and low levels are strongly associated with depression. Dopamine is more closely
associated with reward and movement, while glutamate is the primary excitatory
neurotransmitter .
5. During the repolarization phase of an action potential, which of the following
occurs?
A) Sodium rushes into the cell
B) Potassium re-enters the cell while sodium exits
, C) Chloride enters the cell
D) Calcium is released into the synapse
Rationale: Repolarization is the restoration phase caused by the reentry of
potassium into the cell while sodium exits the cell. Depolarization is the initial
excitatory phase when sodium rushes into the cell, causing the interior to become
more positive. GABA and glycine are inhibitory neurotransmitters that facilitate
chloride influx .
6. A patient with schizophrenia presents with auditory hallucinations and
delusions. These symptoms are classified as:
A) Positive symptoms
B) Negative symptoms
C) Cognitive symptoms
D) Affective symptoms
Rationale: Auditory hallucinations and delusions are positive symptoms of
schizophrenia, which involve the presence of abnormal behaviors or experiences.
Negative symptoms include anhedonia, alogia, and avolition (depressive-type
symptoms). GABA is decreased in schizophrenia, which impairs synaptic
performance and contributes to negative symptoms .
7. Which of the following is a notable complication of panic disorder?
A) Agoraphobia
B) Generalized anxiety disorder
C) Obsessive-compulsive disorder
D) Social anxiety disorder
Rationale: Agoraphobia is a notable complication of panic disorder. It is
characterized by fear or avoidance of situations or places that might cause panic,
helplessness, or embarrassment, such as crowds or wide-open spaces. Treatment
for panic disorder includes SSRIs, benzodiazepines, and cognitive-behavioral
therapy .
