1. A patient asks, "What are neurotransmitters? My doctor said mine are imbalanced." Select the
nurse's best response.
"Neurotransmitters are natural
... [Show More] chemicals that pass messages between brain cells."
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.
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.
"PET means positron-emission tomography. It is a special type of scan that shows blood flow and
activity in the brain."
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.
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?
CT scan
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.
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?
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus, a small area in the ventral superior portion of the brainstem, plays a vital role in such
basic drives as hunger, thirst, and sex.
5. The nurse prepares to assess a patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder for disturbances in
circadian rhythms. Which question should the nurse ask this patient?
"What are your worst and best times of the day?"
Mood changes throughout the day may be related to circadian rhythm disturbances. Questions about
sleep pattern are also relevant to circadian rhythms.
6. The nurse administers a medication that potentiates the action of ã-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Which
effect would be expected?
Reduced anxiety
Increased levels of GABA reduce anxiety. Acetylcholine and substance P are associated with memory
enhancement. Thought disorganization is associated with dopamine. GABA is not associated with
sensory perceptual alterations.
7. A nurse would anticipate that treatment for a patient with memory difficulties might include
medications designed to
prevent destruction of acetylcholine
Increased acetylcholine plays a role in learning and memory. Preventing destruction of acetylcholine by
acetylcholinesterase would result in higher levels of acetylcholine, with the potential for improved
memory.
8. A patient has disorganized thinking associated with schizophrenia. Neuroimaging would likely show
dysfunction in which part of the brain?
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobe is responsible for intellectual functioning.
9. The nurse should assess a patient taking a drug with anticholinergic properties for inhibited function
of the
parasympathetic nervous system
Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter found in high concentration in the parasympathetic nervous
system. When anticholinergic drugs inhibit acetylcholine action, blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation,
and urinary retention commonly occur.
10. The therapeutic action of neurotransmitter inhibitors that block reuptake cause
increased concentration of the blocked neurotransmitter in the synaptic gap
If the reuptake of a substance is inhibited, it accumulates in the synaptic gap, and its concentration
increases, permitting ease of transmission of impulses across the synaptic gap. Normal transmission of
impulses across synaptic gaps is consistent with normal rather than depressed mood.
11. A patient taking medication for mental illness develops restlessness and an uncontrollable need to
be in motion. Which drug action causes these symptoms to develop?
Dopamine-blocking effects
Medication that blocks dopamine often produces disturbances of movement, such as akathisia, because
dopamine affects neurons involved in both thought processes and movement regulation. Anticholinergic
effects include dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, and constipation.
12. A fearful patient has an increased heart rate and blood pressure. The nurse suspects increased
activity of which neurotransmitter?
Norepinephrine
Norepinephrine is the neurotransmitter associated with sympathetic nervous system stimulation,
preparing the individual for "fight or flight.” [Show Less]