NSG 552 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EXAM 1 LATEST ACTUAL
EXAM
How does a biological explanation of psychopathology affect treatment
recommendations? How does client preference affect outcome? - ANSWER:
Improved outcomes occur when client preference is used
Meds or psychotherapy? - ANSWER: One is not better than the other...there is a
place for both
Meds vs therapy in regards to use and impact - ANSWER: -Onset of relief is usually
earlier with meds than therapy
-The duration of benefits for meds is only when someone is taking the meds,
whereas the duration of benefits for therapy is enduring/long lasting
-Regimen for meds is more structured, whereas therapy is more individualized
-Meds have side effects, whereas side effects in therapy are rare
What are the benefits of having knowledge of use of medications in treating mental
disorders? - ANSWER: -biological changes are associated with mental disorders
-some mental disorders require meds for treatment (schizophrenia, psychosis, etc.)
-it's important to recognize when a disorder may be due to underlying medical
condition
-knowledge of both aids in treatment planning for clients
-it's important to be able to differentiate side effects from symptoms
Ways that brain structure/imaging is studied - ANSWER: -Via lesion and post mortem
(death) exams
-Electrophysiology
-Brain imaging (CAT scans, PET scans, MRIs, etc.)
What are implications of knowing brain structure and function in regard to
diagnosis/treatment of mental disorders? - ANSWER: Knowing how the brain works
can help you better recognize dysfunction and categorize mental disorders!
-Can also help people make more informed treatment decisions
What functions are controlled by the brain? - ANSWER: -Movement
-Sensation
-Emotions, behavior, thoughts, cognition
-Vegetative functions
-Creativity
How is the nervous system organized? - ANSWER: it is composed of the central
nervous system and peripheral nervous system
Central nervous system - ANSWER: -composed of the brain and spinal cord
, -it is the midline
Peripheral nervous system - ANSWER: -composed of nervous tissue OUTSIDE of the
brain and spinal cord
-composed of somatic and autonomic systems
-everything comes in pairs because nerves come out on both sides of brain and
spinal cord
Autonomic system - ANSWER: composed of sympathetic and parasympathetic
systems
Sympathetic nervous system - ANSWER: fight or flight
Parasympathetic nervous system - ANSWER: rest and digest
What are the 4 lobes of the brain? - ANSWER: frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal
What functions are mediated by the prefrontal cortex? - ANSWER: executive
functions (abstract thought, planning, problem solving, emotion, attention)
What is important about the limbic system? - ANSWER: it's implicated in emotional
responses, learning, and memory
Working memory - ANSWER: short term memory
Consolidated memory - ANSWER: long term memory
Broca's area - ANSWER: speech creation
Wernicke's area - ANSWER: speech comprehension
What is important about the brain's attention system? - ANSWER: It identifies and
filters stimuli...it focuses on relevant info and filters out irrelevant info
Function of the reticular activating system - ANSWER: -mediates brain's attention
system
-regulates sleep and wakefulness
What is neural circuitry? - ANSWER: It is communication between brain regions
-mediated by neurotransmitters
How is the brain protected? - ANSWER: -skull
-tissue layers (dura and pia mater)
-CSF supports the weight of the brain/helps reduce shock caused by sudden head
movements
EXAM
How does a biological explanation of psychopathology affect treatment
recommendations? How does client preference affect outcome? - ANSWER:
Improved outcomes occur when client preference is used
Meds or psychotherapy? - ANSWER: One is not better than the other...there is a
place for both
Meds vs therapy in regards to use and impact - ANSWER: -Onset of relief is usually
earlier with meds than therapy
-The duration of benefits for meds is only when someone is taking the meds,
whereas the duration of benefits for therapy is enduring/long lasting
-Regimen for meds is more structured, whereas therapy is more individualized
-Meds have side effects, whereas side effects in therapy are rare
What are the benefits of having knowledge of use of medications in treating mental
disorders? - ANSWER: -biological changes are associated with mental disorders
-some mental disorders require meds for treatment (schizophrenia, psychosis, etc.)
-it's important to recognize when a disorder may be due to underlying medical
condition
-knowledge of both aids in treatment planning for clients
-it's important to be able to differentiate side effects from symptoms
Ways that brain structure/imaging is studied - ANSWER: -Via lesion and post mortem
(death) exams
-Electrophysiology
-Brain imaging (CAT scans, PET scans, MRIs, etc.)
What are implications of knowing brain structure and function in regard to
diagnosis/treatment of mental disorders? - ANSWER: Knowing how the brain works
can help you better recognize dysfunction and categorize mental disorders!
-Can also help people make more informed treatment decisions
What functions are controlled by the brain? - ANSWER: -Movement
-Sensation
-Emotions, behavior, thoughts, cognition
-Vegetative functions
-Creativity
How is the nervous system organized? - ANSWER: it is composed of the central
nervous system and peripheral nervous system
Central nervous system - ANSWER: -composed of the brain and spinal cord
, -it is the midline
Peripheral nervous system - ANSWER: -composed of nervous tissue OUTSIDE of the
brain and spinal cord
-composed of somatic and autonomic systems
-everything comes in pairs because nerves come out on both sides of brain and
spinal cord
Autonomic system - ANSWER: composed of sympathetic and parasympathetic
systems
Sympathetic nervous system - ANSWER: fight or flight
Parasympathetic nervous system - ANSWER: rest and digest
What are the 4 lobes of the brain? - ANSWER: frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal
What functions are mediated by the prefrontal cortex? - ANSWER: executive
functions (abstract thought, planning, problem solving, emotion, attention)
What is important about the limbic system? - ANSWER: it's implicated in emotional
responses, learning, and memory
Working memory - ANSWER: short term memory
Consolidated memory - ANSWER: long term memory
Broca's area - ANSWER: speech creation
Wernicke's area - ANSWER: speech comprehension
What is important about the brain's attention system? - ANSWER: It identifies and
filters stimuli...it focuses on relevant info and filters out irrelevant info
Function of the reticular activating system - ANSWER: -mediates brain's attention
system
-regulates sleep and wakefulness
What is neural circuitry? - ANSWER: It is communication between brain regions
-mediated by neurotransmitters
How is the brain protected? - ANSWER: -skull
-tissue layers (dura and pia mater)
-CSF supports the weight of the brain/helps reduce shock caused by sudden head
movements
