Nursing Elites

1. Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in the development of schizophrenia?

• A. Serotonin
• B. Norepinephrine
• C. Dopamine
• D. Acetylcholine

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is dopamine. Dopamine dysregulation is a key factor in the development of schizophrenia. Excess dopamine activity in certain brain regions is associated with positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions. Dopaminergic medications that reduce dopamine levels are often used to manage these symptoms, further supporting the role of dopamine in schizophrenia. Serotonin (Choice A) is more commonly associated with mood regulation and is implicated in depression and anxiety disorders. Norepinephrine (Choice B) is involved in the body's 'fight or flight' response and is linked to conditions like anxiety and PTSD. Acetylcholine (Choice D) plays a role in muscle movement and memory but is not primarily implicated in schizophrenia.

2. A client is experiencing a moderate level of anxiety. Which is an example of an appropriate nursing intervention?

• A. Allow the client to pace in a safe environment.
• B. Encourage the client to discuss feelings.
• C. Help the client identify the cause of anxiety.
• D. Provide a distraction for the client.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Allowing the client to pace in a safe environment is an appropriate nursing intervention for managing moderate anxiety levels. Allowing pacing provides the client with a physical outlet for their anxiety and can help them release nervous energy without increasing distress. It promotes movement and can aid in reducing feelings of restlessness or agitation. Encouraging the client to discuss feelings (Choice B) is more suitable for addressing emotional aspects of anxiety rather than providing an immediate physical outlet. Helping the client identify the cause of anxiety (Choice C) may be more appropriate for long-term management but may not address the immediate need for physical release. Providing a distraction (Choice D) may not directly address the physical needs associated with moderate anxiety levels.

3. Which symptom should a healthcare provider identify as typical of the fight-or-flight response?

• A. Pupil dilation
• B. Increased heart rate
• C. Decreased salivation
• D. Decreased peristalsis

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Increased heart rate. During the fight-or-flight response, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, causing the release of epinephrine. This hormone triggers an increase in heart rate to supply more blood to the muscles for a rapid response. Pupil dilation occurs to enhance vision in preparation for quick reactions. On the other hand, salivation and peristalsis decrease as the body prioritizes functions necessary for immediate action rather than digestion-related activities. Therefore, choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the typical physiological changes associated with the fight-or-flight response.

4. When assessing a patient with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which symptom would the nurse most likely observe?

• A. Flashbacks
• B. Excessive worry
• C. Hallucinations
• D. Compulsive behaviors

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Excessive worry is a characteristic feature of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Patients with GAD experience persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of their life, such as work, health, or family, even when there is little or no reason for concern. This chronic worrying can significantly impact their daily functioning and quality of life. Flashbacks are more commonly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), hallucinations are more typical in conditions like schizophrenia, while compulsive behaviors are seen in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Therefore, in the context of GAD, excessive worry is the symptom that the nurse is most likely to observe.

5. A healthcare professional is assessing a client who has been diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder. Which of the following behaviors should the healthcare professional expect?

• A. Preference for solitary activities
• B. Detachment from social relationships
• C. Indifference to praise or criticism
• D. Anxiety in social situations

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct behavior that the healthcare professional should expect in an individual with schizoid personality disorder is indifference to praise or criticism. While it is true that individuals with this disorder often exhibit a preference for solitary activities and detachment from social relationships, the key defining characteristic is their emotional detachment and lack of response to external feedback, which includes being indifferent to praise or criticism. Anxiety in social situations is not a typical feature of schizoid personality disorder.

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