Nursing Elites

1. Neural plasticity is ________.

• A. the process by which neurotransmitters are broken down in the brain.
• B. the flexibility of the brain—existing neural circuits can change or new ones can be made.
• C. strong evidence of brain damage, leading to the development of a mental disorder.
• D. the best indicator of temperament and its effect on the personality development of a child.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Neural plasticity refers to the brain's flexibility to change existing neural circuits or create new ones. Choice A is incorrect as it describes neurotransmitter breakdown, not neural plasticity. Choice C is incorrect because neural plasticity does not necessarily indicate brain damage leading to mental disorders. Choice D is incorrect because neural plasticity is not specifically related to temperament or personality development in children.

2. While having a gene for Parkinson's disease guarantees that Parkinson's disease will develop, this is not the only factor that can lead to Parkinson's disease. In other words, the presence of the gene is a ________, but not a ________.

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

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'sufficient cause; necessary cause.' A sufficient cause will inevitably produce the disorder, but it is not the only factor. In this case, having the gene for Parkinson's disease is a sufficient cause, meaning it alone can lead to the development of the disease. However, it is not a necessary cause because Parkinson's disease can still develop without the presence of this gene. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the relationship between the gene and the development of Parkinson's disease as depicted in the question.

3. Biological discoveries ________.

• A. have lessened the subjectivity of definitions of abnormality.
• B. demonstrate that the environment plays only a minimal role in the development of psychopathology.
• C. make it clear that mental disorders are diseases and should be dealt with by the medical profession.
• D. have led to a recognition of the role that genetic factors and other biological influences play in the development of many disorders.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Biological discoveries have indeed led to a recognition of the role that genetic factors and other biological influences play in the development of many disorders. This understanding has shifted the focus from purely environmental explanations to acknowledging the significant impact of genetics and biology on mental health. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because biological discoveries have not specifically addressed the subjectivity of definitions of abnormality, minimized the role of the environment in psychopathology, or definitively classified mental disorders as diseases that should only be handled by the medical profession.

4. According to Freud, a person who does not appropriately resolve each psychosexual stage would be _________ at that stage.

• A. defended
• B. fixated
• C. repressed
• D. displaced

Correct answer: B

Rationale: According to Freud's theory of psychosexual development, if a person does not resolve a particular stage successfully, they become fixated at that stage. This fixation can lead to behavior patterns characteristic of that stage in later life. In this context, 'defended' is incorrect because it does not align with Freud's theory of fixation. 'Repressed' is not the correct choice as it refers to the unconscious suppression of thoughts or desires. 'Displaced' involves redirecting emotions from their original source to a substitute target, which is not the concept Freud associated with unresolved psychosexual stages.

5. In psychoanalytic theory, which psychosexual stage centers on castration anxiety?

• A. Genital
• B. Oral
• C. Anal
• D. Phallic

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Castration anxiety is a concept specific to the Phallic stage in psychoanalytic theory, according to Sigmund Freud. During the Phallic stage, children experience the Oedipus complex (boys) and Electra complex (girls), where they develop unconscious desires for the opposite-sex parent and fear castration by the same-sex parent. This anxiety is a crucial aspect of the Phallic stage, making it the correct answer. The other stages (Genital, Oral, and Anal) do not directly involve castration anxiety and focus on different aspects of psychosexual development.

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