CHYS 2P35 exam || Already Graded A+.
Which would be considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
a. Blunted affect
b. Auditory hallucinations
c. Poverty of speech
d. Lack of social interaction correct answers ANS: B
Positive symptoms frequently occur during a psychotic episode, when an individual loses touch
with reality and experiences something that should be absent (e.g., hallucinations). The
remaining options are classified as negative symptoms.
The onset of schizophrenia can be triggered by which prenatal occurrence?
a. Viral infection
b. Maternal depression
c. Maternal smoking
d. Exposure to toxic waste correct answers ANS: A
A leading hypothesis for the cause of schizophrenia suggests that the illness results from
neurodevelopmental defects that occur in fetal life. Several early environmental factors have
been suggested to increase the risk of developing schizophrenia, including viral infection during
pregnancy, prenatal nutritional deficiencies, and perinatal complications, such as birth defects
and neonatal hypoxia. No current research supports the theory that any of the other options are
prenatal triggers of schizophrenia.
Which neurotransmitter is reduced in people with schizophrenia?
a. Dopamine
b. Gamma-aminobutyric acid
c. Acetylcholine
d. Serotonin correct answers ANS: B
In the dorsal prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic brains, glutamic acid decarboxylase, the major
enzyme in gamma-aminobutyric acid GABA biosynthesis, is diminished, which likely impairs
synaptic performance and cognitive and behavioral functions associated with this brain region.
The other neurotransmitters mentioned in the option choices are not related to the presentation of
schizophrenia.
Alterations in which part of the brain are linked to hallucinations, delusions, and thought
disorders associated with schizophrenia?
a. Parietal lobe
b. Limbic system
c. Temporal lobe
d. Hypothalamus correct answers ANS: C
.
Only temporal lobe alterations may be responsible for the production of positive schizophrenic
symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, and bizarre behavior.
Antipsychotic drugs block which neurotransmitter receptor?
,a. Norepinephrine
b. Gamma-aminobutyric acid
c. Serotonin
d. Dopamine correct answers ANS: D
The dopamine hypothesis initially suggested that abnormal elevation in dopaminergic
transmission contributes to the onset of schizophrenia. This hypothesis was based on
pharmacologic studies showing that antipsychotic drugs are potent blockers of brain dopamine
receptors; therefore the other options are incorrect.
What data confer the link between bipolar disorders and schizophrenia?
a. Individuals with bipolar disorder who exhibit psychotic behaviors have deficits in reelin
expression linked to genetic loci located on chromosome 22.
b. Individuals with schizophrenia who exhibit psychotic behaviors have deficits in serotonin
linked to genetic loci located on chromosome 16.
c. Individuals with bipolar disorder who exhibit psychotic behaviors have deficits in gamma-
aminobutyric acid (GABA) linked to genetic loci located on chromosome 20.
d. Individuals with schizophrenia who exhibit psychotic behaviors have deficits in reelin
expression linked to genetic loci located on chromosome 18. correct answers ANS: A
Interestingly, loci on chromosomes 18 and 22 have been linked to bipolar disorder and
schizophrenia. Individuals with bipolar disorder, who may exhibit psychotic behavior, have
deficits in reelin expression linked to genetic loci located on chromosome 22, which confers
susceptibility to schizophrenia. The remaining options do not appropriately describe the link
between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system abnormalities exist in a large percentage of
individuals with:
a. Schizophrenia
b. Major depression
c. Mania
d. Panic disorder correct answers ANS: B
Excessive activation of the HPA system resulting in elevated glucocorticoid secretion is found in
a large percentage (30% to 70%) of people with major depression, suggesting that mechanisms
responsible for HPA hormone alterations contribute to the pathophysiologic condition of
depression. HPA system abnormalities do not necessarily exit in individuals represented by the
remaining options.
The common property among the three types of medications used to treat depression is that they:
a. Increase neurotransmitter levels within the synapse.
b. Increase neurotransmitter levels in the presynapse.
c. Decrease neurotransmitter levels in the postsynapse.
d. Decrease neurotransmitter levels within the synapse. correct answers ANS: A
All available antidepressants share the common property, albeit through different mechanisms,
that increasing monoamine neurotransmitter levels within the synapse is the basis for their
,antidepressant effects. The processes by which antidepressants affect depression make the
remaining options untrue.
The link between major depression and cortisol secretion is that individuals with depression:
a. Show suppression of plasma cortisol when given dexamethasone.
b. Have a decreased plasma cortisol level, despite the administration of exogenous
corticosteroids.
c. Show that persistently elevated plasma cortisol levels can result in inflammation that is
believed to trigger depression.
d. Have normal plasma cortisol levels throughout the day when they take antidepressant
medication as prescribed. correct answers ANS: C
.
Persistent elevations in cortisol may also induce immunosuppression that compromises the
body's immune systems to contain inflammation and infectious diseases. Increasing evidence
suggests that inflammation is another risk factor that triggers the onset of depression. The
options related to dexamethasone and exogenous corticosteroids are not true as they apply to
depression and cortisol secretion.
A decrease in receptor binding for which neurotransmitter is found in individuals with
depression?
a. Norepinephrine
b. Serotonin
c. Dopamine
d. Acetylcholine correct answers ANS: B
Postmortem and/or brain imaging studies of individuals with depression reveal a widespread
decrease in serotonin 5-HT1A-receptor subtype binding in frontal, temporal, and limbic cortex,
as well as serotonin-transporter binding in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. A decrease in
receptor binding is not observed in the other neurotransmitters.
When treating individuals with depression, the result produced by electroconvulsive therapy
(ECT) is believed to be an alteration in:
a. The monoamine systems
b. Serotonin
c. Norepinephrine
d. The limbic system correct answers ANS: A
Although the mechanism of action of ECT is not clear, the procedure is known to produce
alterations in only the monoamine systems.
Which electrolyte imbalance contributes to lithium toxicity?
a. Hypernatremia
b. Hyponatremia
c. Hyperkalemia
d. Hypokalemia correct answers ANS: B
Lithium toxicity can be a result of hyponatremia. Lithium is normally removed from the kidneys;
however, when the body is sodium depleted, the kidneys reabsorb sodium along with lithium.
Lithium toxicity does not result from any of the remaining options.
, Which neurotransmitter is inhibited in panic disorders?
a. Norepinephrine
b. Serotonin
c. Dopamine
d. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) correct answers ANS: D
Panic disorder also may involve the GABA-benzodiazepine (BZ) receptor system. The other
options are more related to depression.
A criterion for a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a period of excessive
worrying that lasts for at least how many months?
a. 3 c. 9
b. 6 d. 12 correct answers ANS: B
GAD is diagnosed when an individual spends at least 6 months worrying excessively and
exhibits at least three of the six symptoms. Although 3 months is not sufficient time, the
remaining options are excessive.
Individuals who eat aged cheese and avocado when taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors
(MAOIs) may experience:
a. Kidney damage
b. Hypertensive crisis
c. Orthostatic hypotension
d. Weight gain correct answers ANS: B
MAOIs also may induce acute and heightened elevations in blood pressure (e.g., hypertensive
crisis) after the intake of tyramine-rich foods, such as aged cheeses, sour cream, pods of broad
beans, pickled herring, liver, canned figs, raisins, and avocados. The ingestion of tyramine-rich
foods is not a trigger for the remaining options.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is used to treat depression:
a. In pregnant women
b. By enhancing the effect of antidepressants
c. As a first-line treatment before medications
d. That is unipolar correct answers ANS: A
ECT is used to treat depression when individuals fail to respond to antidepressants or when they
are severely depressed, pregnant, suicidal, or psychotic. The other options are not true regarding
the conditions of this treatment.
A notable complication of panic disorder is:
a. Avolition
b. Anhedonia
c. Alogia
d. Agoraphobia correct answers ANS: D
Of the available options, the only notable complication of panic disorder is the development of
agoraphobia or phobic avoidance of places or situations where escape or help is not readily
available.
