Nursing Elites

1. In order to develop chicken pox, one must be exposed to the virus that causes chicken pox. Note, however, that not everyone who is exposed to the virus is affected. In other words, the virus is a ________

• A. risk factor.
• B. necessary cause.
• C. sufficient cause.
• D. contributory cause.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'necessary cause.' A necessary cause must be present for a disorder to occur. In the context of developing chicken pox, being exposed to the virus is a necessary condition for contracting the disease. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. A 'risk factor' increases the probability of developing a disease but is not essential for its occurrence. A 'sufficient cause' can produce the outcome on its own, which is not the case with exposure to the chicken pox virus. A 'contributory cause' adds to other causes to produce an effect, but in this scenario, exposure to the virus is crucial by itself.

2. From the cognitive-behavioral perspective, an important limitation with the behavioral perspective is that ________.

• A. Behaviorists went too far in attacking the psychoanalytic perspective.
• B. Behaviorists failed to attend to the importance of mental processes.
• C. Behaviorists were too focused on explaining how abnormal behavior is acquired.
• D. Behaviorists underestimated the role of reinforcement.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because behaviorists, from the cognitive-behavioral perspective, are criticized for not considering the significance of mental processes. This limitation is a key point in the cognitive-behavioral perspective, which emphasizes the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not directly address the specific limitation of failing to account for mental processes in the behavioral perspective.

3. While out for a walk, you come across a ferocious dog. You feel your heart beating faster and your palms begin to sweat. Which part of the peripheral nervous system is activated in this situation?

• A. Autonomic
• B. Sympathetic
• C. Parasympathetic
• D. Somatic

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Sympathetic. When encountering a stressful situation like a ferocious dog, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, leading to the 'fight or flight' response. This response triggers physiological changes like increased heart rate, sweating, and heightened alertness to prepare the body to deal with the perceived threat. The autonomic nervous system (Choice A) encompasses both the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions, so it's a broader category. The parasympathetic nervous system (Choice C) is responsible for the body's 'rest and digest' functions, which are opposite to the physiological changes seen in a stress response. The somatic nervous system (Choice D) controls voluntary movements and sensory information, not the physiological responses seen in a stress reaction.

4. Understanding the causes of mental disorders is important because ________

• A. effective treatment is not possible without such an understanding.
• B. classification of disorders cannot be done without such information.
• C. such knowledge might make both the prevention and cure of mental disorders possible.
• D. disagreements about the causes of psychopathology have long limited the advancements made in the study of abnormal psychology.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Understanding the causes of mental disorders is crucial because it can potentially lead to both prevention and cure. By identifying the root causes, strategies can be developed to prevent the onset of disorders, and effective treatments can be tailored to address these causes directly. This approach can make treatments more efficient, as addressing the underlying factors contributing to the disorder can result in better outcomes for individuals. Choices A and B are incorrect because while understanding causes is important for effective treatment and classification, the primary focus is on prevention and cure. Choice D, while highlighting the impact of disagreements on advancements in abnormal psychology, does not directly address the importance of understanding causes for prevention and cure.

5. Sandy took part in the April 2013 Boston Marathon, where two bombs were detonated near the finish line, killing three spectators. For approximately 2 weeks after the marathon, Sandy was unable to sleep or concentrate and often found herself reliving the moment she heard the bombs explode. What disorder might Sandy be diagnosed with?

• A. Posttraumatic stress disorder
• B. Phobic disorder
• C. Panic disorder
• D. Acute stress disorder

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Sandy might be diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD typically develops after exposure to a traumatic event and is characterized by symptoms such as re-experiencing the event, avoidance of reminders of the event, negative changes in thoughts and mood, and heightened reactivity. While acute stress disorder can occur shortly after a traumatic event, the duration of symptoms in the scenario suggests a more prolonged impact, aligning with PTSD. Phobic disorder and panic disorder are not as closely related to the described symptoms as PTSD.

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