ANCC PMHNP Exam Prep A+ Rated guide

ANCC PMHNP Exam Prep A+ Rated guide mesocortical pathway Correct answer- executive function: attention, focus, depression nigrostriatal pathway Correct answer- from substantia nigra (brainstem) to striatum (muscles): Parkinson's mesolimbic pathway Correct answer- projects to nucleus accumbens (part of limbic system). Pleasure, reward, positive symptoms of schizophrenia: Addiction, gambling Tuberoinfundibular pathway Correct answer- regulation of prolactin (acts on pituitary). Hypersexuality in mania Dopamine Correct answer- produced in substania nigra and VTA. D2 & D4 receptors most important. Elevated in the mesolimbic pathway associated with pleasure and psychosis. Antispychotics block dopamine. travels through mesocoritcal, mesolimbic, nigrostriatal, and tuberinfundibular pathways Serotonin Correct answer- 5-HT. produced in raphe nucleus. emotion, impulses, dreams. 5HT2A receptors = atypical antipsychotics. Norepinephrine Correct answer- produced in locus coeruleus. arousal and vigilance GABA Correct answer- inhibitory. produces calm in conjunction with benzodiazepines. ACTH Correct answer- motor control, learning, memory, sleep, and dreams. Helps with balance. Decrease in Alzheimer's disease hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) Correct answer- CRH, ACTH, then cortisol. Worsens with stress and depression hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) Correct answer- TRH, TSH, T4. Hypothyroid causes depression, weight gain, slow metabolism. Hyperthyroid is opposite. hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) Correct answer- GnRH, FSH, LH. Malfunctions cause infertility problems. gray matter Correct answer- neurons are found frontal lobe Correct answer- executive function, voluntary movement, speech (Broca's area)