,UT Tyler NURS 5357 Exam 3 | Neurobiology: Mental
Health & Illness (2026) Q&A
1. A patient continues to re - experience fear of the opposite gender one year after
being raped. Which two brain regions are involved in the reciprocal relationship
resulting in this symptom?
A) Prefrontal cortex and cerebellum
B) Amygdala and hippocampus
C) Thalamus and hypothalamus
D) Basal ganglia and substantia nigra
Correct Answer: Amygdala and hippocampus
Rationale: The amygdala and hippocampus have a reciprocal relationship in fear
processing and memory. The amygdala mediates fear responses, while the
hippocampus provides contextual memory of the traumatic event. This interaction
contributes to the persistent re - exp eriencing of fear. The other region pairs are not
primarily involved in this reciprocal fear - memory relationship.
2. A patient with an anxiety attack has difficulty breathing and an increased heart
rate. The difficulty breathing is hypothetically related to activation in which area of
the brain?
A) Parabrachial nucleus
B) Prefrontal cortex
C) Cerebellum
D) Occipital lobe
Correct Answer: Parabrachial nucleus
,Rationale: The parabrachial nucleus is involved in respiratory regulation and is
activated during panic and anxiety attacks. It projects to the amygdala and other
limbic structures, contributing to the respiratory symptoms of anxiety. The
prefrontal cortex, cerebell um, and occipital lobe are not primarily associated with
anxiety - related breathing difficulties.
3. A patient reports widespread pain so debilitating that even mild pressure causes
significant pain. What is this type of pain called?
A) Hyperalgesia
B) Allodynia
C) Paresthesia
D) Dysesthesia
Correct Answer: Allodynia
Rationale: Allodynia is pain caused by a stimulus that does not normally provoke
pain, such as mild pressure or light touch. Hyperalgesia is an exaggerated response
to a painful stimulus. Paresthesia is an abnormal sensation such as tingling.
Dysesthesia is an unple asant abnormal sensation. Allodynia is a hallmark of central
sensitization in chronic pain conditions.
4. A patient with diabetic peripheral neuropathy experiences throbbing pain and
sensitivity. These symptoms may be caused by which of the following?
A) Inflammation or damage in the periphery combined with central disturbance in
pain processing
B) Pure peripheral nerve damage without central involvement
C) Psychological factors alone
D) Vascular insufficiency only
Correct Answer: Inflammation or damage in the periphery combined with central
disturbance in pain processing
, Rationale: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy involves both peripheral nerve damage
and central sensitization, where the central nervous system becomes
hyperexcitable. This dual mechanism explains the throbbing pain and allodynia.
Pure peripheral damage, psychological f actors alone, and vascular insufficiency do
not fully account for the complexity of neuropathic pain.
5. The recognition of a threatening object includes all of the following except?
A) The brain reacts once all of the signals are analyzed
B) Rapid sensory input to the amygdala
C) Activation of the fear response
D) Involvement of the thalamus
Correct Answer: The brain reacts once all of the signals are analyzed
Rationale: The brain does not wait for all signals to be analyzed before reacting to
a threat. The amygdala can initiate a rapid fear response based on incomplete
sensory information via the "low road" thalamo - amygdala pathway. This quick
response is essential for s urvival. Full cortical analysis occurs later via the "high
road."
6. Medications decrease anxiety in the following ways except?
A) Increase BDNF production at the nucleus accumbens
B) Enhancing GABA activity
C) Reducing amygdala hyperactivity
D) Modulating serotonin and norepinephrine
Correct Answer: Increase BDNF production at the nucleus accumbens
Rationale: Medications decrease anxiety primarily by enhancing GABA activity,
reducing amygdala hyperactivity, and modulating serotonin and norepinephrine.
Increasing BDNF production at the nucleus accumbens is more associated with
Health & Illness (2026) Q&A
1. A patient continues to re - experience fear of the opposite gender one year after
being raped. Which two brain regions are involved in the reciprocal relationship
resulting in this symptom?
A) Prefrontal cortex and cerebellum
B) Amygdala and hippocampus
C) Thalamus and hypothalamus
D) Basal ganglia and substantia nigra
Correct Answer: Amygdala and hippocampus
Rationale: The amygdala and hippocampus have a reciprocal relationship in fear
processing and memory. The amygdala mediates fear responses, while the
hippocampus provides contextual memory of the traumatic event. This interaction
contributes to the persistent re - exp eriencing of fear. The other region pairs are not
primarily involved in this reciprocal fear - memory relationship.
2. A patient with an anxiety attack has difficulty breathing and an increased heart
rate. The difficulty breathing is hypothetically related to activation in which area of
the brain?
A) Parabrachial nucleus
B) Prefrontal cortex
C) Cerebellum
D) Occipital lobe
Correct Answer: Parabrachial nucleus
,Rationale: The parabrachial nucleus is involved in respiratory regulation and is
activated during panic and anxiety attacks. It projects to the amygdala and other
limbic structures, contributing to the respiratory symptoms of anxiety. The
prefrontal cortex, cerebell um, and occipital lobe are not primarily associated with
anxiety - related breathing difficulties.
3. A patient reports widespread pain so debilitating that even mild pressure causes
significant pain. What is this type of pain called?
A) Hyperalgesia
B) Allodynia
C) Paresthesia
D) Dysesthesia
Correct Answer: Allodynia
Rationale: Allodynia is pain caused by a stimulus that does not normally provoke
pain, such as mild pressure or light touch. Hyperalgesia is an exaggerated response
to a painful stimulus. Paresthesia is an abnormal sensation such as tingling.
Dysesthesia is an unple asant abnormal sensation. Allodynia is a hallmark of central
sensitization in chronic pain conditions.
4. A patient with diabetic peripheral neuropathy experiences throbbing pain and
sensitivity. These symptoms may be caused by which of the following?
A) Inflammation or damage in the periphery combined with central disturbance in
pain processing
B) Pure peripheral nerve damage without central involvement
C) Psychological factors alone
D) Vascular insufficiency only
Correct Answer: Inflammation or damage in the periphery combined with central
disturbance in pain processing
, Rationale: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy involves both peripheral nerve damage
and central sensitization, where the central nervous system becomes
hyperexcitable. This dual mechanism explains the throbbing pain and allodynia.
Pure peripheral damage, psychological f actors alone, and vascular insufficiency do
not fully account for the complexity of neuropathic pain.
5. The recognition of a threatening object includes all of the following except?
A) The brain reacts once all of the signals are analyzed
B) Rapid sensory input to the amygdala
C) Activation of the fear response
D) Involvement of the thalamus
Correct Answer: The brain reacts once all of the signals are analyzed
Rationale: The brain does not wait for all signals to be analyzed before reacting to
a threat. The amygdala can initiate a rapid fear response based on incomplete
sensory information via the "low road" thalamo - amygdala pathway. This quick
response is essential for s urvival. Full cortical analysis occurs later via the "high
road."
6. Medications decrease anxiety in the following ways except?
A) Increase BDNF production at the nucleus accumbens
B) Enhancing GABA activity
C) Reducing amygdala hyperactivity
D) Modulating serotonin and norepinephrine
Correct Answer: Increase BDNF production at the nucleus accumbens
Rationale: Medications decrease anxiety primarily by enhancing GABA activity,
reducing amygdala hyperactivity, and modulating serotonin and norepinephrine.
Increasing BDNF production at the nucleus accumbens is more associated with
