Neurotransmitters and Mental Health Issues
14. When explaining the means by which neurotransmitters relate to mental
illness, a patient ask, “What is a neurotransmitter?” The best answer is:
A. A fatty layer covering the axon
B. A chemical messenger
C. A nerve cell
D. The space between nerve cells
15. A patient is diagnosed with major depressive disorder with the most
prominent feature of apathy, anhedonia, and isolation. Which
neurotransmitter is associated with the symptoms?
A. Serotonin
B. Gamma-aminobenzoic acid (GABA)
C. Dopamine
D. Cannabinoids
16. The PMHNP prescribes fluoxetine to treat depression. Which
neurotransmitter will be made readily available in the synapse?
A. Dopamine
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B. Serotonin
C. Gamma-aminobenzoic acid (GABA)
D. Acetylcholine
17. The PMHNP in the ED is evaluating a 68-year-old woman who was
recently diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and cannot
remember the name of the medication that she has recently started 1
week ago. The patient is complaining of increased heart rate, sweating,
and muscle spasms progressively worsening for the last 3 days. Which
neurotransmitter is associated with this adverse effect?
A. Serotonin
B. Acetylcholine
C. Gamma-aminobenzoic acid (GABA)
D. Dopamine
18. Which of the following neurotransmitters exert inhibition over neuronal
function?
A. Acetylcholine
B. Cannabinoids
C. Gamma-aminobenzoic acid (GABA)
D. Dopamine
19. A patient with alcohol use disorder is admitted for detox in anticipation
of admission to an inpatient rehabilitation facility. The patient takes
metoprolol for hypertension, which he has forgotten to take today, and
his last drink was 72 hours ago. Which tool should the PMHNP use to
evaluate for symptoms of withdrawal?
A. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression
B. Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment
C. Vital signs
D. Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology
20. A 45-year-old man presents for a follow-up visit after starting on an
SSRI 2 weeks ago for major depressive disorder. Which assessment
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tool would be the best indicator of progress?
A. Geriatric Depression Scale
B. The Young Mania Rating Scale
C. Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale
D. Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology APA