Ch 2- Neurobiologic Theories and Psychopharmacology

Ch 2- Neurobiologic Theories and Psychopharmacology

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

1. The nurse is assessing a patient suffering a head injury as a result of an altercation with
two other individuals. The patient has difficulty accurately reporting the events of the
altercation and appears very emotional during the assessment. The nurse suspects which
part of the brain received the greatest amount of injury?
A) Cerebrum
B) Cerebellum
C) Medulla
D) Amygdala
Ans: A
Feedback:
The frontal lobes of the cerebrum control the organization of thought, body movement,
memories, emotions, and moral behavior. The cerebellum is located below the cerebrum
and is the center for coordination of movements and postural adjustments. The medulla,
located at the top of the spinal cord, contains vital centers for respiration and
cardiovascular functions. The hippocampus and amygdala are involved in emotional
arousal and memory.
2. An abnormality of which of the following structures of the cerebrum would be
associated with schizophrenia?
A) Parietal lobes
B) Frontal lobe
C) Occipital lobe
D) Temporal lobes
Ans: B
Feedback:
Abnormalities in the frontal lobes are associated with schizophrenia, attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and dementia. The parietal lobes interpret sensations of
taste and touch and assist in spatial orientation. The temporal lobes are centers for the
senses of smell and hearing and for memory and emotional expression. The occipital
lobe assists in coordinating language generation and visual interpretation, such as depth
perception.
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3. A patient with bipolar disorder asks the nurse, ìWhy did I get this illness? I don’t want to
be sick.î The nurse would best respond with,
A) ìPeople who develop mental illnesses often had very traumatic childhood
experiences.î
B) ìThere is some evidence that contracting a virus during childhood can lead to
mental disorders.î
C) ìSometimes people with mental illness have an overactive immune system.î
D) ìWe don’t fully understand the cause, but mental illnesses do seem to run in
families.î
Ans: D
Feedback:
Current theories and studies indicate that several mental disorders may be linked to a
specific gene or combination of genes, but that the source is not solely genetic;
nongenetic factors also play important roles. A compromised immune system could
contribute to the development of a variety of illnesses, particularly in populations
already genetically at risk. Maternal exposure to a virus during critical fetal
development of the nervous system may contribute to mental illness.
4. Which of the following statements about the neurobiologic causes of mental illness is
most accurate?
A) Genetics and heredity can explain all causes of mental illness.
B) Viral infection has been proven to be the cause of schizophrenia.
C) There is no evidence that the immune system is related to mental illness.
D) Several mental disorders may be linked to genetic and nongenetic factors.
Ans: D
Feedback:
Current theories and studies indicate that several mental disorders may be linked to a
specific gene or combination of genes, but that the source is not solely genetic;
nongenetic factors also play important roles. Most studies involving viral theories have
focused on schizophrenia, but so far none has provided specific or conclusive evidence.
A compromised immune system could contribute to the development of a variety of
illnesses, particularly in populations already genetically at risk. So far, efforts to link a
specific stressor with a specific disease have been unsuccessful. When the inflammatory
response is critically involved in illnesses such as multiple sclerosis or lupus
erythematosus, mood dysregulation and even depression are common.
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5. Which of the following is an inhibitory neurotransmitter?
A) Dopamine
B) GABA
C) Norepinephrine
D) Epinephrine
Ans: B
Feedback:
GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and has been found to
modulate other neurotransmitter systems rather than to provide a direct stimulus.
Dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine are excitatory neurotransmitters.