Chapter 03: Psychobiology and Psychopharmacology |Halter: Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Clinical Approach, 8th Edition

MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. A patient asks, ―What are neurotransmitters? My doctor said mine are imbalanced.‖ Select the nurse‘s best response. a. How do you feel about having imbalanced neurotransmitters?‖ b. Neurotransmitters protect us from harmful effects of free radicals.‖ c. Neurotransmitters are substances we consume that influence memory and mood.‖ d. Neurotransmitters are natural chemicals that pass messages between brain cells.‖ ANS: D The patient asked for information, and the correct response is most accurate. Neurotransmitters are chemical substances that function as messengers in the central nervous system. They are released from the axon terminal, diffuse across the synapse, and attach to specialized receptors on the postsynaptic neuron. The distracters either do not answer the patient‘s question or provide untrue, misleading information. PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: Page 3-9 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity 2. The parent of an adolescent diagnosed with schizophrenia asks the nurse, ―My child‘s doctor ordered a PET. What kind of test is that?‖ Select the nurse‘s best reply. a. This test uses a magnetic field and gamma waves to identify problem areas in the brain. Does your teenager have any metal implants?‖ b. PET means positron-emission tomography. It is a special type of scan that shows blood flow and activity in the brain.‖ c. A PET scan passes an electrical current through the brain and shows brain-wave activity. It can help diagnose seizures.‖ d. It‘s a special x-ray that shows structures of the brain and whether there has ever been a brain injury.‖ ANS: B The parent is seeking information about PET scans. It is important to use terms the parent can understand, so the nurse should identify what the initials mean. The correct response is the only option that provides information relevant to PET scans. The distracters describe magnetic resonance image (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scans, and EEG. See relationship to audience response question. PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) REF: Pages 3-13, 58 (Table 3-2) TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity 3. A patient with a long history of hypertension and diabetes now develops confusion. The health care provider wants to make a differential diagnosis between Alzheimer‘s disease and multiple infarcts. Which diagnostic procedure should the nurse expect to prepare the patient for first? a. Skull x-rays b. CT scan c. PET d. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) ANS: B A CT scan shows the presence or absence of structural changes, including cortical atrophy, ventricular enlargement, and areas of infarct, information that would be helpful to the health care provider. PET and SPECT show brain activity rather than structure and may occur later. See relationship to audience response question. PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application) REF: Pages 3-13, 58 (Table 3-2) TOP: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity 4. A patient‘s history shows drinking 4 to 6 L of fluid and eating more than 6,000 calories per day. Which part of the central nervous system is most likely dysfunctional for this patient? a. Amygdala b. Parietal lobe c. Hippocampus d. Hypothalamus