TEST BANK FOR PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
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MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which would be considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
a. Blunted affect c. Poverty of speech
b. Auditory hallucinations d. Lack of social interaction
ANS: B
Positive symptoms frequently occur during a psychotic episode, when an individual loses
touch with reality and experiences something that should be absent (e.g., hallucinations).
The remaining options are classified as negative symptoms.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 644-646
2. The onset of schizophrenia can be triggered by which prenatal occurrence?
a. Viral infection c. Maternal smoking
b. Maternal depression d. Exposure to toxic waste
ANS: A
A leading hypothesis for the cause of schizophrenia suggests that the illness results from
neurodevelopmental defects that occur in fetal life. Several early environmental factors
have been suggested to increase the risk of developing schizophrenia, including viral
infection during pregnancy, prenatal nutritional deficiencies, and perinatal complications,
such as birth defects and neonatal hypoxia. No current research supports the theory that
any of the other options are prenatNaUl tRr Si gI NgeGrTs Bo. Cf OscMhizophrenia.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 642
3. Which neurotransmitter is reduced in people with schizophrenia?
a. Dopamine c. Acetylcholine
b. Gamma-aminobutyric acid d. Serotonin
ANS: B
In the dorsal prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic brains, glutamic acid decarboxylase, the
major enzyme in gamma-aminobutyric acid GABA biosynthesis, is diminished, which
likely impairs synaptic performance and cognitive and behavioral functions associated
with this brain region. The other neurotransmitters mentioned in the option choices are not
related to the presentation of schizophrenia.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 643
1
,4. Alterations in which part of the brain are linked to hallucinations, delusions, and thought
TEST BANK FOR PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
disorders associated with schizophrenia?
a. Parietal lobe c. Temporal lobe
b. Limbic system d. Hypothalamus
ANS: C
.
2
, TEST BANK FOR PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Only temporal lobe alterations may be responsible for the production of positive
schizophrenic symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, and bizarre
behavior.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 642
5. Antipsychotic drugs block which neurotransmitter receptor?
a. Norepinephrine c. Serotonin
b. Gamma-aminobutyric acid d. Dopamine
ANS: D
The dopamine hypothesis initially suggested that abnormal elevation in dopaminergic
transmission contributes to the onset of schizophrenia. This hypothesis was based on
pharmacologic studies showing that antipsychotic drugs are potent blockers of brain
dopamine receptors; therefore the other options are incorrect.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 643
6. What data confer the link between bipolar disorders and schizophrenia?
a. Individuals with bipolar disorder who exhibit psychotic behaviors have deficits in
reelin expression linked to genetic loci located on chromosome 22.
b. Individuals with schizophrenia who exhibit psychotic behaviors have deficits in
serotonin linked to genetic loci located on chromosome 16.
c. Individuals with bipolar disorder who exhibit psychotic behaviors have deficits in
gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) linked to genetic loci located on chromosome
20.
d. Individuals with schizophrenia who exhibit psychotic behaviors have deficits in
NURSINGTB.COM
reelin expressi no entilcinlkoecdi ltocgateed on chromosome 18.
ANS: A
Interestingly, loci on chromosomes 18 and 22 have been linked to bipolar disorder and
schizophrenia. Individuals with bipolar disorder, who may exhibit psychotic behavior,
have deficits in reelin expression linked to genetic loci located on chromosome 22, which
confers susceptibility to schizophrenia. The remaining options do not appropriately
describe the link between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 647-648
7. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system abnormalities exist in a large percentage of
individuals with:
a. Schizophrenia c. Mania
b. Major depression d. Panic disorder
ANS: B
Excessive activation of the HPA system resulting in elevated glucocorticoid secretion is
found in a large percentage (30% to 70%) of people with major depression, suggesting that
mechanisms responsible for HPA hormone alterations contribute to the pathophysiologic
condition of depression. HPA system abnormalities do not necessarily exit in individuals
represented by the remaining options.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 648
3
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8. The common property among the three types of medications used to treat depression is
that they:
a. Increase neurotransmitter levels within the synapse.
b. Increase neurotransmitter levels in the presynapse.
c. Decrease neurotransmitter levels in the postsynapse.
d. Decrease neurotransmitter levels within the synapse.
ANS: A
All available antidepressants share the common property, albeit through different
mechanisms, that increasing monoamine neurotransmitter levels within the synapse is the
basis for their antidepressant effects. The processes by which antidepressants affect
depression make the remaining options untrue.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 648
9. The link between major depression and cortisol secretion is that individuals with
depression:
a. Show suppression of plasma cortisol when given dexamethasone.
b. Have a decreased plasma cortisol level, despite the administration of exogenous
corticosteroids.
c. Show that persistently elevated plasma cortisol levels can result in inflammation
that is believed to trigger depression.
d. Have normal plasma cortisol levels throughout the day when they take
antidepressant medication as prescribed.
ANS: C
.
Persistent elevations in cortisol m NayU RalSsIoN iGnTdBu.cCeOiMmmunosuppress ion that compromises the
body’s immune systems to contain inflammation and infectious diseases. Increasing
evidence suggests that inflammation is another risk factor that triggers the onset of
depression. The options related to dexamethasone and exogenous corticosteroids are not
true as they apply to depression and cortisol secretion.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 648
10. A decrease in receptor binding for which neurotransmitter is found in individuals with
depression?
a. Norepinephrine c. Dopamine
b. Serotonin d. Acetylcholine
ANS: B
Postmortem and/or brain imaging studies of individuals with depression reveal a
widespread decrease in serotonin 5-HT1A-receptor subtype binding in frontal, temporal,
and limbic cortex, as well as serotonin-transporter binding in cerebral cortex and
hippocampus. A decrease in receptor binding is not observed in the other
neurotransmitters.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 650
11. When treating individuals with depression, the result produced by electroconvulsive
therapy (ECT) is believed to be an alteration in:
4
Test Bank for Pathophysiology Complete
Questions and Verified Answers with
Rationales Graded A+ (Ace your Exam)
Guaranteed Pass 2025 latest
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which would be considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
a. Blunted affect c. Poverty of speech
b. Auditory hallucinations d. Lack of social interaction
ANS: B
Positive symptoms frequently occur during a psychotic episode, when an individual loses
touch with reality and experiences something that should be absent (e.g., hallucinations).
The remaining options are classified as negative symptoms.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 644-646
2. The onset of schizophrenia can be triggered by which prenatal occurrence?
a. Viral infection c. Maternal smoking
b. Maternal depression d. Exposure to toxic waste
ANS: A
A leading hypothesis for the cause of schizophrenia suggests that the illness results from
neurodevelopmental defects that occur in fetal life. Several early environmental factors
have been suggested to increase the risk of developing schizophrenia, including viral
infection during pregnancy, prenatal nutritional deficiencies, and perinatal complications,
such as birth defects and neonatal hypoxia. No current research supports the theory that
any of the other options are prenatNaUl tRr Si gI NgeGrTs Bo. Cf OscMhizophrenia.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 642
3. Which neurotransmitter is reduced in people with schizophrenia?
a. Dopamine c. Acetylcholine
b. Gamma-aminobutyric acid d. Serotonin
ANS: B
In the dorsal prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic brains, glutamic acid decarboxylase, the
major enzyme in gamma-aminobutyric acid GABA biosynthesis, is diminished, which
likely impairs synaptic performance and cognitive and behavioral functions associated
with this brain region. The other neurotransmitters mentioned in the option choices are not
related to the presentation of schizophrenia.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 643
1
,4. Alterations in which part of the brain are linked to hallucinations, delusions, and thought
TEST BANK FOR PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
disorders associated with schizophrenia?
a. Parietal lobe c. Temporal lobe
b. Limbic system d. Hypothalamus
ANS: C
.
2
, TEST BANK FOR PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Only temporal lobe alterations may be responsible for the production of positive
schizophrenic symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, and bizarre
behavior.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 642
5. Antipsychotic drugs block which neurotransmitter receptor?
a. Norepinephrine c. Serotonin
b. Gamma-aminobutyric acid d. Dopamine
ANS: D
The dopamine hypothesis initially suggested that abnormal elevation in dopaminergic
transmission contributes to the onset of schizophrenia. This hypothesis was based on
pharmacologic studies showing that antipsychotic drugs are potent blockers of brain
dopamine receptors; therefore the other options are incorrect.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 643
6. What data confer the link between bipolar disorders and schizophrenia?
a. Individuals with bipolar disorder who exhibit psychotic behaviors have deficits in
reelin expression linked to genetic loci located on chromosome 22.
b. Individuals with schizophrenia who exhibit psychotic behaviors have deficits in
serotonin linked to genetic loci located on chromosome 16.
c. Individuals with bipolar disorder who exhibit psychotic behaviors have deficits in
gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) linked to genetic loci located on chromosome
20.
d. Individuals with schizophrenia who exhibit psychotic behaviors have deficits in
NURSINGTB.COM
reelin expressi no entilcinlkoecdi ltocgateed on chromosome 18.
ANS: A
Interestingly, loci on chromosomes 18 and 22 have been linked to bipolar disorder and
schizophrenia. Individuals with bipolar disorder, who may exhibit psychotic behavior,
have deficits in reelin expression linked to genetic loci located on chromosome 22, which
confers susceptibility to schizophrenia. The remaining options do not appropriately
describe the link between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
PTS: 1 REF: Pages 647-648
7. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system abnormalities exist in a large percentage of
individuals with:
a. Schizophrenia c. Mania
b. Major depression d. Panic disorder
ANS: B
Excessive activation of the HPA system resulting in elevated glucocorticoid secretion is
found in a large percentage (30% to 70%) of people with major depression, suggesting that
mechanisms responsible for HPA hormone alterations contribute to the pathophysiologic
condition of depression. HPA system abnormalities do not necessarily exit in individuals
represented by the remaining options.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 648
3
, TEST BANK FOR PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
8. The common property among the three types of medications used to treat depression is
that they:
a. Increase neurotransmitter levels within the synapse.
b. Increase neurotransmitter levels in the presynapse.
c. Decrease neurotransmitter levels in the postsynapse.
d. Decrease neurotransmitter levels within the synapse.
ANS: A
All available antidepressants share the common property, albeit through different
mechanisms, that increasing monoamine neurotransmitter levels within the synapse is the
basis for their antidepressant effects. The processes by which antidepressants affect
depression make the remaining options untrue.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 648
9. The link between major depression and cortisol secretion is that individuals with
depression:
a. Show suppression of plasma cortisol when given dexamethasone.
b. Have a decreased plasma cortisol level, despite the administration of exogenous
corticosteroids.
c. Show that persistently elevated plasma cortisol levels can result in inflammation
that is believed to trigger depression.
d. Have normal plasma cortisol levels throughout the day when they take
antidepressant medication as prescribed.
ANS: C
.
Persistent elevations in cortisol m NayU RalSsIoN iGnTdBu.cCeOiMmmunosuppress ion that compromises the
body’s immune systems to contain inflammation and infectious diseases. Increasing
evidence suggests that inflammation is another risk factor that triggers the onset of
depression. The options related to dexamethasone and exogenous corticosteroids are not
true as they apply to depression and cortisol secretion.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 648
10. A decrease in receptor binding for which neurotransmitter is found in individuals with
depression?
a. Norepinephrine c. Dopamine
b. Serotonin d. Acetylcholine
ANS: B
Postmortem and/or brain imaging studies of individuals with depression reveal a
widespread decrease in serotonin 5-HT1A-receptor subtype binding in frontal, temporal,
and limbic cortex, as well as serotonin-transporter binding in cerebral cortex and
hippocampus. A decrease in receptor binding is not observed in the other
neurotransmitters.
PTS: 1 REF: Page 650
11. When treating individuals with depression, the result produced by electroconvulsive
therapy (ECT) is believed to be an alteration in:
4
