Chapter 04: Biological Basis for Understanding Psychopharmacology
A patient asks a nurse, “What are neurotransmitters? My doctor says mine are out of balance.” What is
the nurse’s best response? “Neurotransmitters are chemicals that pass messages between brain cells.”
The parent of an adolescent diagnosed with schizophrenia asks a nurse, “My child’s doctor ordered a
positron-emission tomography (PET) scan. What is that?” What is the nurse’s best response? “PET is a
special scan that shows blood flow and activity in the brain.”
A patient is demonstrating signs of dementia. The health care provider wants to make a differential
diagnosis between Alzheimer’s disease and multiple infarctions. Which diagnostic procedure should a
nurse expect to prepare the patient for first? Computed tomography (CT) scan
A patient has delusions and hallucinations. Before beginning treatment with a psychotropic medication,
the health care provider wants to rule out the presence of a brain tumor. For which test will a nurse
need to prepare the patient Computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
The nurse wants to assess for disturbances in circadian rhythms in a patient admitted for major
depressive disorder. Which question best implements this assessment. “How would you describe your
sleep pattern?”
A nurse administers a hypnotic medication that potentiates the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid
(GABA). Which finding would be expected? Reduced anxiety
On the basis of current knowledge of neurotransmitter effects, a nurse anticipates that the treatment
plan for a patient with memory difficulties may include medications designed to do what Prevent
destruction of acetylcholine.
A patient demonstrates disorganized thinking associated related to a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Neuroimaging would most likely show dysfunction in which part of the brain? Prefrontal cortex
A nurse should assess a patient taking a medication with anticholinergic properties for inhibition of what
function? Parasympathetic nervous system
The therapeutic action of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) blocks neurotransmitter reuptake,
causing what effect? Increased concentration of neurotransmitters in the synaptic gap
A patient taking an antipsychotic medication develops restlessness and an uncontrollable need to be in
motion. A nurse can correctly analyze that these symptoms are related to which drug action?
Dopamine-blocking effects
A patient presents with anxiety, increased heart rate, and fear. The nurse would suspect the presence of
a high concentration of which neurotransmitter? Norepinephrine
A patient reports symptoms of acute anxiety related to the death of a parent in an automobile accident
2 hours earlier. The nurse should anticipate administering a medication from which group for a short-
term therapy? Benzodiazepines
A patient is hospitalized for major depressive disorder. A nurse can expect to likely provide the patient
with teaching about which medication? Fluoxetine
A patient asks a nurse, “What are neurotransmitters? My doctor says mine are out of balance.” What is
the nurse’s best response? “Neurotransmitters are chemicals that pass messages between brain cells.”
The parent of an adolescent diagnosed with schizophrenia asks a nurse, “My child’s doctor ordered a
positron-emission tomography (PET) scan. What is that?” What is the nurse’s best response? “PET is a
special scan that shows blood flow and activity in the brain.”
A patient is demonstrating signs of dementia. The health care provider wants to make a differential
diagnosis between Alzheimer’s disease and multiple infarctions. Which diagnostic procedure should a
nurse expect to prepare the patient for first? Computed tomography (CT) scan
A patient has delusions and hallucinations. Before beginning treatment with a psychotropic medication,
the health care provider wants to rule out the presence of a brain tumor. For which test will a nurse
need to prepare the patient Computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
The nurse wants to assess for disturbances in circadian rhythms in a patient admitted for major
depressive disorder. Which question best implements this assessment. “How would you describe your
sleep pattern?”
A nurse administers a hypnotic medication that potentiates the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid
(GABA). Which finding would be expected? Reduced anxiety
On the basis of current knowledge of neurotransmitter effects, a nurse anticipates that the treatment
plan for a patient with memory difficulties may include medications designed to do what Prevent
destruction of acetylcholine.
A patient demonstrates disorganized thinking associated related to a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Neuroimaging would most likely show dysfunction in which part of the brain? Prefrontal cortex
A nurse should assess a patient taking a medication with anticholinergic properties for inhibition of what
function? Parasympathetic nervous system
The therapeutic action of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) blocks neurotransmitter reuptake,
causing what effect? Increased concentration of neurotransmitters in the synaptic gap
A patient taking an antipsychotic medication develops restlessness and an uncontrollable need to be in
motion. A nurse can correctly analyze that these symptoms are related to which drug action?
Dopamine-blocking effects
A patient presents with anxiety, increased heart rate, and fear. The nurse would suspect the presence of
a high concentration of which neurotransmitter? Norepinephrine
A patient reports symptoms of acute anxiety related to the death of a parent in an automobile accident
2 hours earlier. The nurse should anticipate administering a medication from which group for a short-
term therapy? Benzodiazepines
A patient is hospitalized for major depressive disorder. A nurse can expect to likely provide the patient
with teaching about which medication? Fluoxetine
