,
,Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology Neuroscientific Basis and Practical
Applications 5th Edition
Chapter 1 Chemical neurotransmission
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient with depression mentions to the nurse, My mother says depression is a chemical
disorder. What does she mean? The nurses response is based on the theory that depression primarily
involves which of the following neurotransmitters?
a. Cortisol and GABA
b. COMT and glutamate
c. Monamine and glycine
d. Serotonin and norepinephrine
ANS: D
One possible cause of depression is thought to involve one or more neurotransmitters. Serotonin and
norepinephrine have been found to be important in the regulation of depression. There is no research
to support that the other options play a significant role in the development of depression.
2. A patient has experienced a stroke (cerebral vascular accident) that has resulted in damage to
the Broca area. Which evaluation does the nurse conduct to reinforce this diagnosis?
a. Observing the patient pick up a spoon
b. Asking the patient to recite the alphabet
c. Monitoring the patients blood pressure
d. Comparing the patients grip strength in both hands
ANS: B
Accidents or strokes that damage Brocas area may result in the inability to speak (i.e., motor aphasia).
Fine motor skills, blood pressure control, and muscle strength are not controlled by the Broca area of
the left frontal lobe.
3. The patient diagnosed with schizophrenia asks why psychotropic medications are always
prescribed by the doctor. The nurses answer will be based on information that the therapeutic action of
psychotropic drugs is the result of their effect on:
a. The temporal lobe; especially Wernickes area
, b. Dendrites and their ability to transmit electrical impulses
c. The regulation of neurotransmitters especially dopamine
d. The peripheral nervous system sensitivity to the psychotropic medications
ANS: C
Medications used to treat psychiatric disorders operate in and around the synaptic cleft and have action
at the neurotransmitter level, especially in the case of schizophrenia, on dopamine. The Wernickes area,
dendrite function, or the sensitivity of the peripheral nervous system are not relevant to either
schizophrenia or psychotropic medications.
4. A student nurse mutters that it seems entirely unnecessary to have to struggle with
understanding the anatomy and physiology of the neurologic system. The mentor would base a
response on the understanding that it is:
a. Necessary but generally for psychiatric nurses who focus primarily on behavioral interventions
b. A complex undertaking that advance practice psychiatric nurses frequently use in their practice
c. Important primarily for the nursing assessment of patients with brain traumacaused cognitive
symptoms
d. Necessary for planning psychiatric care for all patients especially those experiencing psychiatric
disorders
ANS: D
Nurses must understand that many symptoms of psychiatric disorders have a neurologic basis, although
the symptoms are manifested behaviorally. This understanding facilitates effective care planning. The
foundation of knowledge is not used exclusively by advanced practice psychiatric nurses nor is it
relevant for only behavior therapies or brain trauma since dealing with the results of normal and
abnormal brain function is a responsibility of all nurses providing all types of care to the psychiatric
patient.
5. A patient asks the nurse, My wife has breast cancer. Could it be caused by her chronic
depression? Which response is supported by research data?
,Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology Neuroscientific Basis and Practical
Applications 5th Edition
Chapter 1 Chemical neurotransmission
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient with depression mentions to the nurse, My mother says depression is a chemical
disorder. What does she mean? The nurses response is based on the theory that depression primarily
involves which of the following neurotransmitters?
a. Cortisol and GABA
b. COMT and glutamate
c. Monamine and glycine
d. Serotonin and norepinephrine
ANS: D
One possible cause of depression is thought to involve one or more neurotransmitters. Serotonin and
norepinephrine have been found to be important in the regulation of depression. There is no research
to support that the other options play a significant role in the development of depression.
2. A patient has experienced a stroke (cerebral vascular accident) that has resulted in damage to
the Broca area. Which evaluation does the nurse conduct to reinforce this diagnosis?
a. Observing the patient pick up a spoon
b. Asking the patient to recite the alphabet
c. Monitoring the patients blood pressure
d. Comparing the patients grip strength in both hands
ANS: B
Accidents or strokes that damage Brocas area may result in the inability to speak (i.e., motor aphasia).
Fine motor skills, blood pressure control, and muscle strength are not controlled by the Broca area of
the left frontal lobe.
3. The patient diagnosed with schizophrenia asks why psychotropic medications are always
prescribed by the doctor. The nurses answer will be based on information that the therapeutic action of
psychotropic drugs is the result of their effect on:
a. The temporal lobe; especially Wernickes area
, b. Dendrites and their ability to transmit electrical impulses
c. The regulation of neurotransmitters especially dopamine
d. The peripheral nervous system sensitivity to the psychotropic medications
ANS: C
Medications used to treat psychiatric disorders operate in and around the synaptic cleft and have action
at the neurotransmitter level, especially in the case of schizophrenia, on dopamine. The Wernickes area,
dendrite function, or the sensitivity of the peripheral nervous system are not relevant to either
schizophrenia or psychotropic medications.
4. A student nurse mutters that it seems entirely unnecessary to have to struggle with
understanding the anatomy and physiology of the neurologic system. The mentor would base a
response on the understanding that it is:
a. Necessary but generally for psychiatric nurses who focus primarily on behavioral interventions
b. A complex undertaking that advance practice psychiatric nurses frequently use in their practice
c. Important primarily for the nursing assessment of patients with brain traumacaused cognitive
symptoms
d. Necessary for planning psychiatric care for all patients especially those experiencing psychiatric
disorders
ANS: D
Nurses must understand that many symptoms of psychiatric disorders have a neurologic basis, although
the symptoms are manifested behaviorally. This understanding facilitates effective care planning. The
foundation of knowledge is not used exclusively by advanced practice psychiatric nurses nor is it
relevant for only behavior therapies or brain trauma since dealing with the results of normal and
abnormal brain function is a responsibility of all nurses providing all types of care to the psychiatric
patient.
5. A patient asks the nurse, My wife has breast cancer. Could it be caused by her chronic
depression? Which response is supported by research data?
