Which neurotransmitter is associated with the hallucinations, delusions, and bizarre behavior seen in schizophrenia?
Serotonin
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Dopamine
Acetylcholine
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Interventions, like offering snacks, address identified problems (e.g., forgetting to eat) to meet nutritional needs. This action targets physiological deficits, potentially linked to cognitive impairments from low acetylcholine in dementia, ensuring adequate caloric intake to support brain function and overall health in the care plan.
Choice B reason: Planning/goals outline desired outcomes, not specific actions. Forgetting to eat, possibly due to frontal lobe dysfunction, requires goals like “maintain adequate nutrition.” Interventions, not goals, specify actions like offering snacks, making this section incorrect for the statement’s placement in the care plan.
Choice C reason: Assessment involves data collection, like observing eating patterns, not actions like offering snacks. Forgetting to eat may reflect cognitive deficits, but assessment identifies the problem, not solutions. This section precedes interventions, making it an incorrect location for the described statement.
Choice D reason: Diagnosis identifies problems, like “impaired nutrition” due to cognitive deficits, not specific actions. Offering snacks is an intervention to address the diagnosis, not the diagnosis itself. This section is incorrect for the statement, which belongs in the intervention phase of the care plan.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Denying problems reflects resistance, typical in the orientation phase, where trust is not yet established. Anger management, linked to amygdala-driven impulsivity, requires a therapeutic alliance. This statement indicates avoidance, not readiness for the working phase’s collaborative problem-solving.
Choice B reason: Questioning therapy’s value shows skepticism, common in the orientation phase. The working phase involves active goal-setting, like managing anger tied to serotonin dysregulation. This statement reflects a lack of engagement, not the transition to collaborative therapeutic work, making it incorrect.
Choice C reason: Expressing a goal to manage anger indicates readiness for the working phase, where collaborative problem-solving occurs. Anger, linked to amygdala hyperactivity and serotonin deficits, requires active intervention. This statement shows commitment to addressing neurobiological issues, marking the transition to the working phase.
Choice D reason: Difficulty discussing problems reflects orientation phase challenges, where trust is building. The working phase involves active engagement, like addressing anger’s neurobiological basis. This statement indicates discomfort, not readiness for collaborative work, making it incorrect for the phase transition.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.