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 B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Olanzapine does not primarily increase serotonin or norepinephrine. It blocks dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2 receptors, reducing hallucinations driven by mesolimbic dopamine excess in schizophrenia. Increasing monoamines would exacerbate psychosis, not alleviate it, making this mechanism incorrect.

Choice B reason: Olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic, blocks dopamine D2 receptors in the mesolimbic pathway, reducing excessive dopamine signaling that causes hallucinations in schizophrenia. It also modulates serotonin 5-HT2 receptors, balancing limbic activity, making this the primary mechanism for controlling psychotic symptoms.

Choice C reason: Decreasing neurotransmitter breakdown enzymes is the mechanism of MAOIs, not olanzapine. Olanzapine’s dopamine and serotonin receptor blockade reduces psychotic symptoms, not enzyme activity, making this choice irrelevant to its antipsychotic action in schizophrenia.

Choice D reason: Olanzapine does not normalize serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine levels but blocks their receptors, particularly dopamine D2, to reduce hallucinations. Normalizing levels is not its mechanism, as schizophrenia involves dopamine hyperactivity, not deficiency, making this choice inaccurate.

A. Why did my husband have to die? B. My life has no meaning since my husband died last year. C. Why did God let this happen? D. Why did this have to happen to me?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Questioning death’s reason reflects normal grief, involving amygdala-driven emotional processing and cortisol surges. It does not indicate complicated bereavement, which involves prolonged, impairing despair, disrupting serotonin-mediated emotional recovery after a year.

Choice B reason: Stating life has no meaning a year after loss suggests complicated bereavement, with persistent serotonin deficits and amygdala-driven despair. This indicates unresolved grief, impairing prefrontal cortex-mediated coping and emotional integration, characteristic of prolonged, dysfunctional mourning.

Choice C reason: Questioning God’s role is a normal grief response, reflecting amygdala-driven existential distress. It does not indicate complicated bereavement, which requires persistent functional impairment and serotonin dysregulation beyond the expected grief timeline of one year.

Choice D reason: Self-focused questioning is part of normal grief, driven by amygdala-anxiety and cortisol. It does not signify complicated bereavement, which involves prolonged, debilitating despair and serotonin deficits, impairing recovery and functioning beyond a year.

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

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client with schizophrenia is being treated with olanzapine (Zyprexa) 10 mg daily. The client asks the nurse how this medicine minimizes hallucinations. The nurse explains that the mechanism by which olanzapine controls the client's psychotic symptoms is believed to be what?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is assessing a client who is grieving. The nurse suspects that the client is experiencing complicated bereavement based on which statement by the client?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia has auditory hallucinations, delusions of grandeur, poor personal hygiene, and threatening behavior. Which assessment finding would the nurse regard as a negative symptom of schizophrenia?

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Which health care worker should be referred to critical incident stress debriefing?

A nurse is preparing to administer lactated Ringer's 100 mL IV over 15 minutes. The nurse should set the IV infusion pump to deliver how many mL/hr? (Round to the nearest whole number.)

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During the initial interview at the crisis center, a patient says, "I’ve been served with divorce papers. I’m so upset and anxious that I can't think clearly." What could the nurse say to assess personal coping skills?

A client with bipolar disorder, having experienced a depressive episode, is prescribed lamotrigine (Lamictal). After educating the client on this medication, the nurse determines that the education was successful when the client makes which statement?