ATI RN
Psychological Exam
1. 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.
2. Roger has suffered a major brain injury. As a result, he is unable to speak fluently, tends to mispronounce words, and speaks haltingly. For instance, he says 'wat' instead of 'watch' and 'tot' instead of 'talk.' What is the diagnosis?
- A. Agnosia
- B. Spatial neglect
- C. Broca's aphasia
- D. Prosopagnosia
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct diagnosis for Roger's condition is Broca's aphasia. Broca's aphasia is characterized by difficulty in speaking fluently and accurately, often due to brain injury. In this case, Roger's symptoms of being unable to speak fluently, mispronouncing words, and speaking haltingly align with the characteristics of Broca's aphasia. Agnosia refers to the inability to recognize or interpret sensory information, spatial neglect is the lack of awareness of one side of the body or space, and prosopagnosia is the inability to recognize faces, none of which match Roger's symptoms.
3. How does the concept of neural plasticity relate to recovery from brain injuries?
- A. Neural plasticity means the brain cannot recover from injuries.
- B. Neural plasticity allows the brain to recover and reorganize after injuries.
- C. Neural plasticity refers to the brain's inability to change after injury.
- D. Neural plasticity is a myth.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Neural plasticity allows the brain to recover and reorganize after injuries. It is the brain's ability to adapt and change, forming new connections or reorganizing existing ones to compensate for damage. Choice A is incorrect as neural plasticity enables recovery. Choice C is incorrect as neural plasticity involves the brain's capacity to change. Choice D is incorrect as neural plasticity is a well-established phenomenon in neuroscience.
4. How do neurotransmitters affect behavior and mental processes?
- A. Neurotransmitters have little effect on behavior.
- B. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that influence mood, thought, and behavior.
- C. Neurotransmitters have a minor role in mental health.
- D. Neurotransmitters determine intelligence levels.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Neurotransmitters are chemicals that influence mood, thought, and behavior, playing a significant role in mental health. Choice A is incorrect as neurotransmitters do have a notable effect on behavior. Choice C is incorrect as neurotransmitters have a major role in mental health. Choice D is incorrect as neurotransmitters do not solely determine intelligence levels.
5. 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.
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