A nurse is preparing to administer acetaminophen 320 mg PO every four hours as needed for pain. The amount available from the pharmacy is acetaminophen liquid 160 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? (Round to the nearest whole number.)

Choice A reason: The hippocampus and amygdala modulate stress responses but are not part of the HPA axis. The parietal lobe processes sensory information, not stress hormones. The HPA axis involves cortisol release, driven by hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal interactions, not these structures, making this choice incorrect.

Choice B reason: The HPA axis comprises the hypothalamus, which releases CRH, the pituitary gland, which secretes ACTH, and the adrenal glands, which produce cortisol. This system regulates stress responses via neuroendocrine signaling, modulating amygdala and prefrontal cortex activity to manage stress and maintain homeostasis.

Choice C reason: The hindbrain regulates basic functions like breathing, not stress responses. The pyramidal nervous system and anterior cerebrum are not anatomical structures involved in the HPA axis. Cortisol release, critical for stress, is driven by hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal interactions, not these regions.

Choice D reason: The hepatic artery, parasympathetic nervous system, and acoustic nerve are unrelated to the HPA axis. The parasympathetic system modulates rest, not stress, while the HPA axis involves hypothalamic CRH, pituitary ACTH, and adrenal cortisol, driving the body’s stress response.

Choice A reason: Availability and lethality of suicide means are critical, as they determine immediate risk. Serotonin deficits and amygdala-driven impulsivity heighten the likelihood of acting on accessible, lethal methods, making this the priority to prevent fatal outcomes in suicidal patients.

Choice B reason: Insight into suicidal motivation is important but secondary to immediate risk. Serotonin dysregulation drives impulsivity, and without addressing access to lethal means, insight alone cannot prevent action, making it less urgent in acute suicide assessment.

Choice C reason: Abuse history increases suicide risk via trauma-related amygdala hyperactivity but is not the priority. Immediate access to lethal means poses a greater acute risk, as serotonin deficits drive impulsivity, necessitating focus on preventing action first.

Choice D reason: Social support is a protective factor but secondary to immediate risk. Serotonin-driven impulsivity and amygdala hyperactivity make access to lethal means the priority, as support cannot prevent action if means are readily available.