NRNP 6635 EXAMINATION SET 2026
SOLVED QUESTIONS GRADED A+
● How does serotonin affect mood and anxiety? Answer: Serotonin
helps regulate emotional stability, sleep, appetite, and impulse control.
When serotonin signaling is low, emotional responses become
exaggerated and negative thoughts persist
Clinical signs:
-depression
-anxiety
-irritability
-obsessive thinking
Why SSRIs work:
They prevent serotonin reuptake---> stronger signaling between neurons
----> improved emotional regulation
● Why does dopamine cause psychosis? Answer: Dopamine assigns
importance ("salience") to experiences. Excess dopamine in the
mesolimbic pathway makes neutral events feel meaningful or
threatening.
, Result:
-hallucinations
-paranoia
-delusions
Antipsychotics reduce dopamine signaling ---> reality perception
improves
● Why do schizophrenia patients have negative symptoms? Answer:
Low dopamine in the mesocortical pathway affects the prefrontal cortex,
reducing motivation and emotional expression
Symptoms:
-flat affect
-social withdrawal
-poor concentration
Important: Antipsychotics help positive symptoms more than negative
ones
● Why does low GABA cause anxiety? Answer: GABA slows brain
activity. Without enough inhibition, fear circuits fire excessively.
SOLVED QUESTIONS GRADED A+
● How does serotonin affect mood and anxiety? Answer: Serotonin
helps regulate emotional stability, sleep, appetite, and impulse control.
When serotonin signaling is low, emotional responses become
exaggerated and negative thoughts persist
Clinical signs:
-depression
-anxiety
-irritability
-obsessive thinking
Why SSRIs work:
They prevent serotonin reuptake---> stronger signaling between neurons
----> improved emotional regulation
● Why does dopamine cause psychosis? Answer: Dopamine assigns
importance ("salience") to experiences. Excess dopamine in the
mesolimbic pathway makes neutral events feel meaningful or
threatening.
, Result:
-hallucinations
-paranoia
-delusions
Antipsychotics reduce dopamine signaling ---> reality perception
improves
● Why do schizophrenia patients have negative symptoms? Answer:
Low dopamine in the mesocortical pathway affects the prefrontal cortex,
reducing motivation and emotional expression
Symptoms:
-flat affect
-social withdrawal
-poor concentration
Important: Antipsychotics help positive symptoms more than negative
ones
● Why does low GABA cause anxiety? Answer: GABA slows brain
activity. Without enough inhibition, fear circuits fire excessively.
