NU664C | NU664C Family Psychiatric Mental
Health Exam 1 Version 3 | Questions with Correct
Answers and Expert Explanation for Each Question
| Regis
1. Which dopamine pathway is primarily associated with the development of positive
symptoms in schizophrenia?
A. Mesocortical pathway
B. Nigrostriatal pathway
C. Mesolimbic pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The mesolimbic pathway involves the projection of dopamine
from the ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens. Excess dopamine in this
specific pathway is believed to be the primary driver of positive symptoms such as
hallucinations and delusions. Conversely, negative symptoms are typically
associated with the mesocortical pathway.
2. When a psychiatric nurse practitioner respects a patient’s right to refuse
medication, which ethical principle is being upheld?
A. Autonomy
,B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Fidelity
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Autonomy refers to the patient’s right to self-determination
and making their own healthcare decisions. This principle requires that the provider
provide all necessary information for the patient to give informed consent or
refusal. It is a cornerstone of medical ethics that balances the provider’s expertise
with the patient’s values.
3. Which of the following is a core diagnostic criterion for Major Depressive Disorder
according to the DSM-5?
A. Anhedonia or depressed mood
B. Increased energy or agitation
C. Symptoms lasting at least 1 week
D. Excessive worry about multiple events
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: To meet the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder, at least
one of the symptoms must be either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure
,(anhedonia). These symptoms must be present during the same 2-week period and
represent a change from previous functioning. Other symptoms like sleep
disturbance or weight change support the diagnosis but are not the primary
required markers.
4. A patient taking an MAOI must avoid foods high in tyramine to prevent which of the
following complications?
A. Serotonin Syndrome
B. Hypertensive Crisis
C. Metabolic Syndrome
D. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Tyramine acts as a releasing agent for norepinephrine, which
can cause blood pressure to spike dangerously if not broken down. Monoamine
oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) block the enzyme responsible for metabolizing tyramine
in the gut. Therefore, patients must strictly adhere to a low-tyramine diet to avoid a
life-threatening hypertensive crisis.
5. According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, which conflict is primary
during adolescence?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
, B. Industry vs. Inferiority
C. Identity vs. Role Confusion
D. Intimacy vs. Isolation
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Identity vs. Role Confusion occurs during the teenage years as
individuals seek to develop a sense of self. Success leads to an ability to stay true to
oneself, while failure leads to role confusion and a weak sense of self. This stage is
critical for transitioning from childhood to adulthood autonomy.
6. Which laboratory test is most critical to monitor for a patient newly started on
Clozapine (Clozaril)?
A. Liver function tests
B. Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
C. Serum creatinine
D. Thyroid stimulating hormone
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Clozapine carries a black box warning for agranulocytosis, a
severe reduction in white blood cells. Providers must monitor the Absolute
Neutrophil Count (ANC) regularly to ensure patient safety. If the ANC falls below a
Health Exam 1 Version 3 | Questions with Correct
Answers and Expert Explanation for Each Question
| Regis
1. Which dopamine pathway is primarily associated with the development of positive
symptoms in schizophrenia?
A. Mesocortical pathway
B. Nigrostriatal pathway
C. Mesolimbic pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The mesolimbic pathway involves the projection of dopamine
from the ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens. Excess dopamine in this
specific pathway is believed to be the primary driver of positive symptoms such as
hallucinations and delusions. Conversely, negative symptoms are typically
associated with the mesocortical pathway.
2. When a psychiatric nurse practitioner respects a patient’s right to refuse
medication, which ethical principle is being upheld?
A. Autonomy
,B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Fidelity
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Autonomy refers to the patient’s right to self-determination
and making their own healthcare decisions. This principle requires that the provider
provide all necessary information for the patient to give informed consent or
refusal. It is a cornerstone of medical ethics that balances the provider’s expertise
with the patient’s values.
3. Which of the following is a core diagnostic criterion for Major Depressive Disorder
according to the DSM-5?
A. Anhedonia or depressed mood
B. Increased energy or agitation
C. Symptoms lasting at least 1 week
D. Excessive worry about multiple events
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: To meet the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder, at least
one of the symptoms must be either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure
,(anhedonia). These symptoms must be present during the same 2-week period and
represent a change from previous functioning. Other symptoms like sleep
disturbance or weight change support the diagnosis but are not the primary
required markers.
4. A patient taking an MAOI must avoid foods high in tyramine to prevent which of the
following complications?
A. Serotonin Syndrome
B. Hypertensive Crisis
C. Metabolic Syndrome
D. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Tyramine acts as a releasing agent for norepinephrine, which
can cause blood pressure to spike dangerously if not broken down. Monoamine
oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) block the enzyme responsible for metabolizing tyramine
in the gut. Therefore, patients must strictly adhere to a low-tyramine diet to avoid a
life-threatening hypertensive crisis.
5. According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, which conflict is primary
during adolescence?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
, B. Industry vs. Inferiority
C. Identity vs. Role Confusion
D. Intimacy vs. Isolation
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Identity vs. Role Confusion occurs during the teenage years as
individuals seek to develop a sense of self. Success leads to an ability to stay true to
oneself, while failure leads to role confusion and a weak sense of self. This stage is
critical for transitioning from childhood to adulthood autonomy.
6. Which laboratory test is most critical to monitor for a patient newly started on
Clozapine (Clozaril)?
A. Liver function tests
B. Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
C. Serum creatinine
D. Thyroid stimulating hormone
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Clozapine carries a black box warning for agranulocytosis, a
severe reduction in white blood cells. Providers must monitor the Absolute
Neutrophil Count (ANC) regularly to ensure patient safety. If the ANC falls below a
