NURS6630 MIDTERM EXAM 2026
WALDEN UNIVERSITY FINAL PAPER
PRACTICE QUESTIONS ANSWERS
ACCURATE A+
◉ Stressful events are perceived at the __________, processed at the
_______, which then activates lower brain areas & puts the limbic
system on alert
Answer: cortex, amygdala
◉ when there is imminent danger, a burst of excitation originates from
the locus coeruleus which releases _____________, which results in
instantaneous hypervigilance.
Answer: norepinephrine
◉ what is responsible for the release of stress hormones?
Answer: limbic system and hypothalamus by activating the SNS, HTA,
or HPA
◉ _________ ions act as a brake and dampen the limbic alert
Answer: chloride
◉ ________ enhance the flow of negative (chloride) ions which results
in widespread calming in may areas of the brain
Answer: benzodiazepines
,◉ excitability in the locus coerulues is also mediated by _______
Answer: serotonin
◉ in the Locus Coeruleus, serotonin is ____________.
Answer: inhibitory
◉ A decrease in serotonin may impact the locus coeruleus by making it
more disinhibited and more sensitive to ___________.
Answer: activation
◉ Acquired fears appear to be mediated primarily by the ___________.
Answer: amygdala
◉ After very frightening events, the amygdala ________ certain
stimulus events of the experience. These memories are highly resistant
to extinction.
Answer: encodes
◉ There is speculation that _______ many play a role in inhibiting
cellular reactivity in the amygdala
Answer: serotonin
◉ What are four medication options for treating GAD?
, Answer: benzodiazepines, atypical antianxiety (buspirone), SNRIs and
SSRIs, andn gabapentin
◉ Benzodiazepines can be used to treat severe cases of GAD, but should
not be used if the patient is at risk for ___________
Answer: dependence/substance abuse
◉ _______ reduces worry and rumination seen in GAD, but it is not
addictive
Answer: Buspirone
◉ This antiseizure medication is primarily used to treat anxiety in
bipolar disorder
Answer: gabapentin
◉ Specific phobias are generally not treated with __________________.
Answer: psychotropic medications
◉ what is effective at reducing anxiety surrounding public speaking?
Answer: beta-blockers
◉ Pervasive forms social anxiety (and avoidant personality disorder)
may be treated with what three medications?
Answer: SSRIs, SNRIs, or MAOIs
WALDEN UNIVERSITY FINAL PAPER
PRACTICE QUESTIONS ANSWERS
ACCURATE A+
◉ Stressful events are perceived at the __________, processed at the
_______, which then activates lower brain areas & puts the limbic
system on alert
Answer: cortex, amygdala
◉ when there is imminent danger, a burst of excitation originates from
the locus coeruleus which releases _____________, which results in
instantaneous hypervigilance.
Answer: norepinephrine
◉ what is responsible for the release of stress hormones?
Answer: limbic system and hypothalamus by activating the SNS, HTA,
or HPA
◉ _________ ions act as a brake and dampen the limbic alert
Answer: chloride
◉ ________ enhance the flow of negative (chloride) ions which results
in widespread calming in may areas of the brain
Answer: benzodiazepines
,◉ excitability in the locus coerulues is also mediated by _______
Answer: serotonin
◉ in the Locus Coeruleus, serotonin is ____________.
Answer: inhibitory
◉ A decrease in serotonin may impact the locus coeruleus by making it
more disinhibited and more sensitive to ___________.
Answer: activation
◉ Acquired fears appear to be mediated primarily by the ___________.
Answer: amygdala
◉ After very frightening events, the amygdala ________ certain
stimulus events of the experience. These memories are highly resistant
to extinction.
Answer: encodes
◉ There is speculation that _______ many play a role in inhibiting
cellular reactivity in the amygdala
Answer: serotonin
◉ What are four medication options for treating GAD?
, Answer: benzodiazepines, atypical antianxiety (buspirone), SNRIs and
SSRIs, andn gabapentin
◉ Benzodiazepines can be used to treat severe cases of GAD, but should
not be used if the patient is at risk for ___________
Answer: dependence/substance abuse
◉ _______ reduces worry and rumination seen in GAD, but it is not
addictive
Answer: Buspirone
◉ This antiseizure medication is primarily used to treat anxiety in
bipolar disorder
Answer: gabapentin
◉ Specific phobias are generally not treated with __________________.
Answer: psychotropic medications
◉ what is effective at reducing anxiety surrounding public speaking?
Answer: beta-blockers
◉ Pervasive forms social anxiety (and avoidant personality disorder)
may be treated with what three medications?
Answer: SSRIs, SNRIs, or MAOIs
