NURS 5461 Geriatric Management Psych/Mental
Health Questions & Answers 2026 | UT Arlington |
Latest Study Guide
1. Which of the following is a symptom associated with Major Depressive
Disorder?
Heightened concentration
Euphoria
Fatigue
Increased energy
2. The neuroplasticity theory of depression states that depression is caused by:
enhanced neuroplasticity in the hippocampus and amygdala
reduced neuroplasticity in the cerebellum and brain stem.
enhanced neuroplasticity in the prefrontal cortex.
reduced neuroplasticity in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and
amygdala.
3. Describe how glial cells influence mood and emotional regulation in the
context of depression.
Glial cells are only involved in the physical structure of the brain.
Glial cells support neuronal function and regulate
neurotransmitters, which can affect mood and emotional regulation.
Glial cells primarily protect neurons from damage without affecting
mood.
Glial cells produce neurotransmitters independently of neurons.
,4. According to the neurogenesis basis for depression, antidepressant drugs
may increase the CNS production of ____, thereby leading to increased
synaptic connections in the _.
acetylcholine; cerebellum
dopamine; hippocampus
brain-derived neurotrophic factor; hippocampus
brain-derived neurotrophic factor; basal ganglia
dopamine; basal ganglia
5. What must be observed for at least two years to identify a seasonal pattern in
Major Depressive Disorder?
Depressive episodes occurring at the same time each year
Changes in sleep patterns
Family history of depression
Increased appetite during winter
6. Using brain imaging techniques to examine activity of the prefrontal cortex
(PFC) in depressed patients, researchers have reported finding
decreased activity.
decreased activity in some PFC regions and increased activity in
others.
decreased activity in patients with depressive disorder and increased
activity in patients with bipolar depression.
increased activity.
7. The DSM V criteria for major depressive disorder requires:
, Two symptoms including depressed mood or loss of interest to be
present in the same two weeks for at least six months
Have at least one episode of mania
Five or more symptoms including at least one depressed mood or
loss of interest present in the same two weeks and present nearly
everyday.
Two or more symptoms of delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized
speech
8. What are the primary effects of Mirtazapine in the treatment of depression?
Increase appetite and improve sleep
Reduce anxiety and enhance mood
Promote weight loss and increase energy
Stabilize mood and reduce irritability
9. Describe the relationship between manic symptoms and the diagnosis of
Major Depressive Disorder.
Manic symptoms are a subtype of Major Depressive Disorder.
The presence of manic symptoms indicates a diagnosis of Bipolar
Disorder, which takes precedence over Major Depressive Disorder.
Manic symptoms do not affect the diagnosis of Major Depressive
Disorder.
Manic symptoms are treated the same way as Major Depressive
Disorder.
10. Describe how the action of SSRIs on serotonin transporters contributes to
mood improvement in individuals with depression.
, SSRIs enhance the reuptake of serotonin, which stabilizes mood.
SSRIs decrease serotonin levels, leading to a reduction in depressive
symptoms.
SSRIs primarily affect dopamine levels, which are crucial for mood
regulation.
By blocking serotonin transporters, SSRIs increase serotonin levels
in the synaptic cleft, which helps improve mood.
11. In individuals who experience frequent or chronic stress, what consequence
is there for the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis?
The HPA axis becomes hyperactive
The HPA axis downregulates
The HPA axis becomes hypoactive
None of the above are true. Stress has no impact on the HPA axis.
The HPA axis atrophies
12. Describe how Mirtazapine's effects on appetite and sleep contribute to its
overall treatment strategy for depression.
Mirtazapine is used solely for its antidepressant effects without
considering sleep or appetite.
Mirtazapine helps improve sleep and increase appetite, which are
important for overall recovery in depressed patients.
Mirtazapine primarily focuses on reducing anxiety without affecting
sleep.
Mirtazapine's role is limited to enhancing mood without addressing
physical symptoms.
Health Questions & Answers 2026 | UT Arlington |
Latest Study Guide
1. Which of the following is a symptom associated with Major Depressive
Disorder?
Heightened concentration
Euphoria
Fatigue
Increased energy
2. The neuroplasticity theory of depression states that depression is caused by:
enhanced neuroplasticity in the hippocampus and amygdala
reduced neuroplasticity in the cerebellum and brain stem.
enhanced neuroplasticity in the prefrontal cortex.
reduced neuroplasticity in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and
amygdala.
3. Describe how glial cells influence mood and emotional regulation in the
context of depression.
Glial cells are only involved in the physical structure of the brain.
Glial cells support neuronal function and regulate
neurotransmitters, which can affect mood and emotional regulation.
Glial cells primarily protect neurons from damage without affecting
mood.
Glial cells produce neurotransmitters independently of neurons.
,4. According to the neurogenesis basis for depression, antidepressant drugs
may increase the CNS production of ____, thereby leading to increased
synaptic connections in the _.
acetylcholine; cerebellum
dopamine; hippocampus
brain-derived neurotrophic factor; hippocampus
brain-derived neurotrophic factor; basal ganglia
dopamine; basal ganglia
5. What must be observed for at least two years to identify a seasonal pattern in
Major Depressive Disorder?
Depressive episodes occurring at the same time each year
Changes in sleep patterns
Family history of depression
Increased appetite during winter
6. Using brain imaging techniques to examine activity of the prefrontal cortex
(PFC) in depressed patients, researchers have reported finding
decreased activity.
decreased activity in some PFC regions and increased activity in
others.
decreased activity in patients with depressive disorder and increased
activity in patients with bipolar depression.
increased activity.
7. The DSM V criteria for major depressive disorder requires:
, Two symptoms including depressed mood or loss of interest to be
present in the same two weeks for at least six months
Have at least one episode of mania
Five or more symptoms including at least one depressed mood or
loss of interest present in the same two weeks and present nearly
everyday.
Two or more symptoms of delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized
speech
8. What are the primary effects of Mirtazapine in the treatment of depression?
Increase appetite and improve sleep
Reduce anxiety and enhance mood
Promote weight loss and increase energy
Stabilize mood and reduce irritability
9. Describe the relationship between manic symptoms and the diagnosis of
Major Depressive Disorder.
Manic symptoms are a subtype of Major Depressive Disorder.
The presence of manic symptoms indicates a diagnosis of Bipolar
Disorder, which takes precedence over Major Depressive Disorder.
Manic symptoms do not affect the diagnosis of Major Depressive
Disorder.
Manic symptoms are treated the same way as Major Depressive
Disorder.
10. Describe how the action of SSRIs on serotonin transporters contributes to
mood improvement in individuals with depression.
, SSRIs enhance the reuptake of serotonin, which stabilizes mood.
SSRIs decrease serotonin levels, leading to a reduction in depressive
symptoms.
SSRIs primarily affect dopamine levels, which are crucial for mood
regulation.
By blocking serotonin transporters, SSRIs increase serotonin levels
in the synaptic cleft, which helps improve mood.
11. In individuals who experience frequent or chronic stress, what consequence
is there for the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis?
The HPA axis becomes hyperactive
The HPA axis downregulates
The HPA axis becomes hypoactive
None of the above are true. Stress has no impact on the HPA axis.
The HPA axis atrophies
12. Describe how Mirtazapine's effects on appetite and sleep contribute to its
overall treatment strategy for depression.
Mirtazapine is used solely for its antidepressant effects without
considering sleep or appetite.
Mirtazapine helps improve sleep and increase appetite, which are
important for overall recovery in depressed patients.
Mirtazapine primarily focuses on reducing anxiety without affecting
sleep.
Mirtazapine's role is limited to enhancing mood without addressing
physical symptoms.
