Which central nervous system structure is associated with anger and aggression?

Amygdala.

Parietal lobe.

Cerebellum.

Basal ganglia.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: The amygdala regulates emotional responses like anger and aggression, with excessive norepinephrine and glutamate signaling driving hyperarousal. Its connections to the prefrontal cortex modulate impulsive behaviors, making it the primary structure for aggressive responses in emotional dysregulation.

Choice B reason: The parietal lobe processes sensory and spatial information, not emotions like anger. Aggression involves amygdala-prefrontal cortex interactions, not parietal functions, making this structure irrelevant to the neural basis of anger and aggressive behavior.

Choice C reason: The cerebellum coordinates motor activity and balance, not emotional regulation. Anger and aggression stem from amygdala-driven hyperarousal, not cerebellar function, which lacks direct involvement in emotional processing or behavioral impulsivity.

Choice D reason: The basal ganglia modulate movement and reward, not directly anger or aggression. While dopamine dysregulation may contribute, the amygdala’s role in emotional arousal is primary, making the basal ganglia secondary in this context.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Clomipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, targets serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake for depression, not bipolar mood stabilization. It risks triggering mania by overstimulating monoamine pathways, making it unsuitable for rapid-cycling bipolar disorder, which requires mood-stabilizing anticonvulsants.

Choice B reason: Risperidone, an antipsychotic, blocks dopamine and serotonin receptors, managing acute mania but not rapid cycling. Anticonvulsants like carbamazepine stabilize mood by modulating sodium channels, making risperidone less effective for long-term control of bipolar mood fluctuations.

Choice C reason: Clonidine, an alpha-2 agonist, reduces norepinephrine release for hypertension or ADHD, not bipolar disorder. It lacks mood-stabilizing properties, unlike anticonvulsants, which modulate neuronal excitability, making it inappropriate for managing rapid-cycling bipolar mood changes.

Choice D reason: Carbamazepine, an anticonvulsant, stabilizes mood in rapid-cycling bipolar disorder by inhibiting voltage-gated sodium channels, reducing neuronal excitability in the limbic system. This prevents manic and depressive episodes, making it a first-line choice for stabilizing rapid mood cycles.

A. Tell me more about the things that interested you before you began to feel depressed. B. You have a lot to live for. You have a good mind. Your children love you. C. Are you experiencing thoughts of suicide? D. Try to stay hopeful. Things have a way of working out.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Exploring past interests is therapeutic but does not directly address the immediate suicide risk implied by hopelessness. Depression’s serotonin deficit heightens amygdala-driven despair, and assessing suicidal ideation is critical to prioritize safety over general exploration of interests.

Choice B reason: Reassuring the patient about reasons to live is dismissive and risks alienating them. Hopelessness in depression reflects serotonin and prefrontal cortex dysregulation, and this response fails to assess suicide risk, missing critical amygdala-driven warning signs.

Choice C reason: Asking about suicidal thoughts directly assesses risk, critical in depression with low serotonin and heightened amygdala activity driving hopelessness. This prioritizes safety, engaging prefrontal cortex reflection to identify immediate danger and guide intervention, making it the most appropriate response.

Choice D reason: Encouraging hope is vague and does not assess suicide risk. Depression’s serotonin deficit and amygdala hyperactivity require direct evaluation of suicidal ideation, as hopelessness signals potential danger, making this response inadequate for ensuring patient safety.

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Which central nervous system structure is associated with anger and aggression?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder has rapidly changing mood cycles. The health care provider prescribes an anticonvulsant medication. Which drug should the nurse anticipate will be prescribed?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The most appropriate response by the nurse when a despondent patient says "Nothing matters anymore" would be:

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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