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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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Flooding involves intense, immediate exposure to the feared stimulus, like elevators, overwhelming amygdala-driven fear responses. This contrasts with gradual exposure, which calms norepinephrine surges incrementally. Flooding is less controlled and riskier, making it incorrect for the described gradual relaxation technique.

Choice B reason: Systematic desensitization pairs gradual exposure to a fear, like elevators, with relaxation to reduce amygdala hyperactivity and norepinephrine-driven panic. This counterconditions fear responses, promoting calm neural pathways, aligning with the described technique and making it the correct choice for this therapeutic approach.

Choice C reason: Combination therapy involves multiple modalities, like medication and psychotherapy, not specifically gradual exposure with relaxation. The described technique targets phobia-specific amygdala responses, not a broad approach, making combination therapy too vague and incorrect for this targeted intervention.

Choice D reason: Cognitive restructuring modifies thought patterns, not exposure-based fear responses. While it addresses distorted beliefs, the described technique uses relaxation with gradual exposure to reduce norepinephrine-driven panic, not cognitive reframing, making this incorrect for the specific therapeutic method described.

A. To contact the psychiatrist for an order to cancel the impending discharge B. To notify hospital security to handle a potential disturbance and escort the family off the unit C. To ask the case manager to arrange a transfer to a long-term care facility D. To explain that the patient will continue to improve if the medication is taken regularly

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Canceling discharge overrides patient autonomy and recovery progress. Stabilized schizophrenia, managed with antipsychotics targeting dopamine, supports discharge with adherence. This action disregards the patient’s rights and neurobiological stabilization, making it an inappropriate advocacy response.

Choice B reason: Notifying security dismisses family concerns and escalates unnecessarily. Schizophrenia management relies on medication adherence, not coercion. This approach ignores patient rights and family education needs, failing to address neurobiological treatment principles, making it incorrect for advocacy.

Choice C reason: Transferring to long-term care assumes ongoing instability, ignoring current stabilization. Antipsychotics correct dopamine imbalances, supporting outpatient management. This undermines patient autonomy and recovery potential, making it an inappropriate advocacy action for a stabilized patient.

Choice D reason: Explaining medication adherence promotes patient autonomy and recovery. Antipsychotics reduce dopamine-driven hallucinations, ensuring symptom control. Educating the family empowers support for adherence, aligning with patient rights and neurobiological treatment principles, making this the correct advocacy response.

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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

A client experiences panic attacks when confronted with riding in elevators. The nurse is teaching the client to use relaxation techniques while gradually exposing the client to getting on an elevator. Which technique is the nurse using?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A patient reports experiencing performance anxiety in front of an audience. The nurse should be aware that this type of anxiety is often treated with which medication?

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

A patient presents with anxiety, increased heart rate, and fear. The nurse suspects the activation of which neurotransmitter?

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Which statement shows a nurse has empathy for a patient who made a suicide attempt?

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After assessing the patient and formulating the nursing diagnoses for a plan of care, what is the next action a nurse should take?