Which neurotransmitter is associated with the hallucinations, delusions, and bizarre behavior seen in schizophrenia?

Serotonin

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

Dopamine

Acetylcholine

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Serotonin modulates mood and anxiety but is not primarily linked to schizophrenia’s core symptoms. While serotonin imbalances contribute to depression, schizophrenia’s hallucinations and delusions stem from dopamine hyperactivity in the mesolimbic pathway, making serotonin an incorrect choice for this disorder’s pathophysiology.

Choice B reason: GABA inhibits neural activity, and its dysfunction is linked to anxiety or seizures, not schizophrenia’s positive symptoms. Schizophrenia involves dopamine excess in the mesolimbic pathway, not GABA deficits. GABA’s role is secondary, making it an inaccurate choice for explaining hallucinations and delusions.

Choice C reason: Dopamine hyperactivity in the mesolimbic pathway causes hallucinations, delusions, and bizarre behavior in schizophrenia. Excess dopamine signaling disrupts cognitive and perceptual processes, leading to positive symptoms. Antipsychotics target D2 receptors to reduce these effects, confirming dopamine’s central role in schizophrenia’s pathophysiology.

Choice D reason: Acetylcholine is involved in memory and attention, not schizophrenia’s core symptoms. While cholinergic deficits occur in dementia, schizophrenia’s hallucinations and delusions are driven by dopamine dysregulation, not acetylcholine. This makes acetylcholine an incorrect choice for the neurotransmitter associated with these symptoms.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Active suicidality, linked to severe serotonin deficits, requires inpatient hospitalization for constant monitoring to ensure safety. Partial hospitalization is insufficient for acute risk, as it lacks 24-hour supervision, making this patient inappropriate for this less intensive care setting.

Choice B reason: Agoraphobia and panic episodes, driven by norepinephrine surges, benefit from partial hospitalization’s structured psychoeducation and therapy. Relaxation techniques reduce amygdala hyperactivity, supporting outpatient management with daily support, making this patient suitable for partial hospitalization’s intensive, non-residential treatment.

Choice C reason: Stable lithium levels indicate controlled bipolar disorder, not requiring partial hospitalization. Regular follow-up manages neurotransmitter balance, suitable for outpatient care. Partial hospitalization is for active symptoms, not stable patients, making this an incorrect referral choice.

Choice D reason: Alcohol use concerns suggest outpatient substance abuse programs, not partial hospitalization. While dopamine reward pathways are involved, partial hospitalization targets acute psychiatric symptoms, not substance issues alone, making this patient unsuitable for this level of care.

A. Provide the client with a way to identify abnormalities in their communication style B. Analyze the effect of their communication style on the client C. Identify abnormalities in the client’s communication techniques D. Allow the client to explore alternate communication techniques that can be used

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Process recordings are for nurse self-reflection, not client analysis. They examine nurse communication, not patient abnormalities. Client communication issues, like disorganized speech in schizophrenia, are assessed clinically, not via recordings, making this option incorrect for the tool’s purpose in psychiatric practice.

Choice B reason: Process recordings analyze the nurse’s communication impact, assessing verbal and nonverbal cues on client responses. Effective communication, processed via mirror neurons, fosters therapeutic alliances, calming amygdala-driven anxiety. This self-evaluation improves nurse effectiveness, aligning with the scientific purpose of process recordings in psychiatric care.

Choice C reason: Identifying client communication abnormalities is a clinical assessment task, not the purpose of process recordings. Recordings focus on nurse interactions, not patient speech patterns, like those in mania. This option misaligns with the tool’s introspective goal, making it incorrect for its intended use.

Choice D reason: Clients exploring alternate techniques is a therapeutic goal, not the purpose of process recordings. Recordings analyze nurse communication, not patient skill-building. Effective nurse responses can reduce stress-related cortisol spikes, but this is secondary, making this option incorrect for the recording’s primary purpose.

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Which neurotransmitter is associated with the hallucinations, delusions, and bizarre behavior seen in schizophrenia?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which patient would a nurse refer to partial hospitalization?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nursing student understands that the purpose of completing a process recording for the nurse-patient interview is to:

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Planning for patients diagnosed with mental illness is facilitated by understanding that inpatient hospitalization is generally reserved for a patient presenting with what characteristic?

A patient with paranoia states, “The state is monitoring us through the listening devices hidden in this room. Be careful what you say.” Which response by the nurse would be most therapeutic?

A nursing student says, “Little of what takes place on the behavioral health unit seems to be theory-based.” A nurse educates the student by identifying which is a common use of Sullivan’s theory on the inpatient psychiatric unit?

Which neurotransmitter has both muscarinic and nicotinic receptor subtypes?

A nurse explains to a nursing student how the therapeutic relationship differs from a social relationship. What is the best explanation for the therapeutic relationship between the nurse and patient?

A patient is taking a first-generation antipsychotic medication. What should the nurse teach about the drug’s strong dopaminergic effect?

How does a psychiatric nurse best implement the ethical principle of autonomy?

On the basis of current knowledge of neurotransmitter effects, a nurse anticipates that the treatment plan for a patient with memory difficulties may include medications designed to do what?