a client with a diagnosis of depression has been prescribed a medication that ultimately increases the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin betwee

ATI RN

Pathophysiology Final Exam

1. A client with a diagnosis of depression has been prescribed a medication that ultimately increases the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin between neurons. Which process will accompany the actions of the neurotransmitter in a chemical synapse?

A. Two-way communication between neurons is permitted, in contrast to the one-way communication in electrical synapses.
B. Communication between a neuron and the single neuron it is connected with will be facilitated.
C. The neurotransmitter will cross gap junctions more readily.
D. More neurotransmitters will cross the synaptic cleft and bond with postsynaptic receptors.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When serotonin levels increase, more neurotransmitters will cross the synaptic cleft and bind with postsynaptic receptors, facilitating enhanced communication. Option A is incorrect because chemical synapses, unlike electrical synapses, are unidirectional. Option B is incorrect because neurotransmitters impact communication with multiple neurons, not just a single connected neuron. Option C is incorrect because neurotransmitters cross the synaptic cleft, not gap junctions.

2. A 70-year-old patient is seen in the family practice clinic. Which of the following vaccines should be administered to prevent shingles?

A. Zoster vaccine
B. Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib) vaccine
C. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
D. Pneumococcal polyvalent vaccine

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Zoster vaccine. The Zoster vaccine is recommended for the prevention of shingles in individuals aged 50 years and older. Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. The vaccine helps reduce the risk of developing shingles and decreases the severity and duration of the illness if it occurs. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect: Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib) vaccine is used to prevent infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b, Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is used to prevent HPV infections that can lead to cervical cancer and other cancers, and Pneumococcal polyvalent vaccine is used to protect against infections caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae.

3. In which patient is alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency the likely cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

A. A 30-year-old who has smoked for 3 years
B. A 65-year-old man who drove a taxi most of his life
C. A 70-year-old woman who smoked for 40 years
D. A 50-year-old with exposure to secondhand smoke

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is more common in younger patients with a history of smoking at a younger age, like the 30-year-old who has smoked for 3 years. Choices B, C, and D are less likely to be associated with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency as COPD in these cases is more likely due to smoking and environmental exposures.

4. What is the primary function of the kidneys in acid-base balance?

A. The kidneys remove hydrogen ions and retain bicarbonate ions.
B. The kidneys convert ammonia into urea, which is excreted in the urine.
C. The kidneys produce aldosterone to regulate sodium levels.
D. The kidneys secrete renin to regulate blood pressure.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. The kidneys are crucial in maintaining acid-base balance by removing hydrogen ions to decrease acidity and retaining bicarbonate ions to increase alkalinity. Choice B is incorrect because the conversion of ammonia into urea is related to nitrogen waste excretion, not acid-base balance. Choice C is incorrect as aldosterone regulates sodium levels, not acid-base balance. Choice D is also incorrect as renin is involved in regulating blood pressure, not acid-base balance.

5. What causes osteoporosis?

A. Poor nutrition in infancy
B. Regularly weight-bearing exercise
C. Bone loss, frequently during aging
D. Cerebral palsy and associated disorders

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Osteoporosis is commonly caused by bone loss that occurs with aging, leading to brittle bones. Choice A, poor nutrition in infancy, is not a direct cause of osteoporosis. Choice B, regularly weight-bearing exercise, actually helps in maintaining bone density and strength, reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Choice D, cerebral palsy and associated disorders, is not a common cause of osteoporosis.