A decrease in which neurotransmitter, produced in the raphe nuclei of the brainstem, can result in depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder?
Glutamate
Acetylcholine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and is involved in learning, memory, and neuroplasticity. While dysregulation of glutamate has been implicated in mood disorders, it is not produced in the raphe nuclei and is not the primary neurotransmitter associated with depression, anxiety, or OCD.
Choice B reason: Acetylcholine plays a role in attention, learning, and memory. It is not synthesized in the raphe nuclei and is more commonly associated with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease rather than mood or anxiety disorders.
Choice C reason: Serotonin is synthesized in the raphe nuclei of the brainstem and is critically involved in mood regulation, anxiety control, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. A deficiency in serotonin transmission has been strongly linked to depression, anxiety disorders, and OCD. This neurotransmitter is the target of many antidepressants, including SSRIs, which aim to increase its availability in the synaptic cleft.
Choice D reason: Norepinephrine is involved in arousal, alertness, and the stress response. Although it plays a role in mood disorders, it is primarily produced in the locus coeruleus, not the raphe nuclei. Its deficiency is more closely associated with fatigue and concentration issues in depression rather than obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: This response is exploratory and reflective but does not reframe the behavior. It focuses on the client’s perception rather than offering a new interpretation of the wife’s actions.
Choice B reason: This is a classic example of reframing—interpreting the wife’s yelling as an expression of love and frustration rather than aggression. It shifts the meaning of the behavior to reduce defensiveness and promote insight.
Choice C reason: This is a mindfulness-based intervention, asking the client to stay present with their emotions. It is therapeutic but not reframing.
Choice D reason: This statement simply reflects the client’s feelings and does not offer a new perspective or interpretation of the behavior.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Dopamine plays a central role in the pathophysiology of extrapyramidal symptoms. EPS occurs due to dopamine receptor blockade in the nigrostriatal pathway, particularly with antipsychotic medications. Reducing dopamine activity in this pathway leads to motor disturbances similar to Parkinsonism. Therefore, managing EPS often involves balancing dopamine levels or using medications that counteract dopamine blockade.
Choice B reason: Serotonin is involved in mood regulation and other central nervous system functions, but it is not directly implicated in the development of EPS. While some antipsychotics affect serotonin receptors, EPS symptoms are primarily linked to dopamine dysregulation.
Choice C reason: Norepinephrine is associated with arousal, attention, and stress responses. It does not play a significant role in the extrapyramidal system, and altering its levels would not directly alleviate EPS.
Choice D reason: Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter and is involved in learning and memory. Although it interacts with dopamine systems, it is not the primary neurotransmitter responsible for EPS, and decreasing glutamate would not be a targeted approach for treating these symptoms.
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