November 2025 Complete Actual Exam
Questions 1- 100 NR605 Diagnosis
Management in Psychiatric Mental Health NR
605 Midterm and Finals Examplify Online
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Section 1: Neurobiology and Neurotransmission (Questions 1-10)
Question 1: Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the "fight or
flight" response and is a direct target for medications used to treat anxiety
disorders?
A. Acetylcholine
B. Dopamine
C. Norepinephrine
D. Serotonin
Correct ,,answer,,,,: C. Norepinephrine
,Rationale: Norepinephrine is a key neurotransmitter in the sympathetic nervous
system, mediating the stress response. It is a direct target of medications like
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) used for anxiety. SNRIs
block the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine, increasing their
availability in the synaptic cleft and reducing anxiety symptoms .
Question 2: A client presents with symptoms of depression. The PMHNP
understands that the mechanism of action of SSRIs is to:
A. Block the reuptake of serotonin, increasing its availability in the synaptic cleft
B. Inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase, preventing the breakdown of serotonin
C. Block the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine
D. Act as an agonist at postsynaptic serotonin receptors
Correct ,,answer,,,,: A. Block the reuptake of serotonin, increasing its availability
in the synaptic cleft
Rationale: SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) selectively inhibit the
serotonin transporter, preventing the reuptake of serotonin into the presynaptic
neuron and thereby increasing serotonergic neurotransmission. This mechanism
differs from SNRIs (which also block norepinephrine reuptake) and MAOIs (which
inhibit monoamine oxidase) .
Question 3: Dopamine is synthesized from which amino acid precursor?
,A. Tryptophan
B. Tyrosine
C. Glutamate
D. Glycine
Correct ,,answer,,,,: B. Tyrosine
Rationale: Tyrosine is the precursor for dopamine synthesis. Tyrosine is converted
to L-DOPA by the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, which is then converted to
dopamine by DOPA decarboxylase. This pathway is targeted in Parkinson's disease
treatment with carbidopa-levodopa .
Question 4: A PMHNP is explaining to a student that antipsychotic medications
can cause extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). Which dopamine pathway is most
associated with this side effect?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Mesocortical pathway
C. Nigrostriatal pathway
, D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Correct ,,answer,,,,: C. Nigrostriatal pathway
Rationale: The nigrostriatal pathway, which projects from the substantia nigra to
the striatum, is involved in motor control. Blockade of D2 receptors in this
pathway by antipsychotics leads to extrapyramidal symptoms such as dystonia,
parkinsonism, akathisia, and tardive dyskinesia .
Question 5: The mesolimbic dopamine pathway is primarily associated with:
A. Motor control
B. Reward, motivation, and pleasure
C. Cognition and executive function
D. Prolactin regulation
Correct ,,answer,,,,: B. Reward, motivation, and pleasure
Rationale: The mesolimbic pathway projects from the ventral tegmental area to the
nucleus accumbens and is associated with reward, motivation, and pleasure.
Overactivity in this pathway is implicated in psychosis and substance abuse
disorders. Antipsychotics block D2 receptors in this pathway to reduce positive
symptoms of psychosis .