ANCC PMHNP Exam Prep Questions and Answers Already Passed

mesocortical pathway executive function: attention, focus, depression nigrostriatal pathway from substantia nigra (brainstem) to striatum (muscles): Parkinson's mesolimbic pathway projects to nucleus accumbens (part of limbic system). Pleasure, reward, positive symptoms of schizophrenia: Addiction, gambling Tuberoinfundibular pathway regulation of prolactin (acts on pituitary). Hypersexuality in mania Dopamine produced in substania nigra and VTA. D2 & D4 receptors most important. Elevated in the mesolimbic pathway associated with pleasure and psychosis. Antispychotics block dopamine. travels through mesocoritcal, mesolimbic, nigrostriatal, and tuberinfundibular pathways Serotonin 5-HT. produced in raphe nucleus. emotion, impulses, dreams. 5HT2A receptors = atypical antipsychotics. Norepinephrine produced in locus coeruleus. arousal and vigilance GABA inhibitory. produces calm in conjunction with benzodiazepines. ACTH motor control, learning, memory, sleep, and dreams. Helps with balance. Decrease in Alzheimer's disease hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) CRH, ACTH, then cortisol. Worsens with stress and depression hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) TRH, TSH, T4. Hypothyroid causes depression, weight gain, slow metabolism. Hyperthyroid is opposite. hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) GnRH, FSH, LH. Malfunctions cause infertility problems. gray matter neurons are found