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Question 1
Correct
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What factor has been demonstrated to have a notable impact on the QTc interval?
Your Answer: Grapefruit juice
Explanation:Amantadine and QTc Prolongation
Amantadine is a medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease and influenza. It has been associated with QTc prolongation, which can increase the risk of Torsades de points. Therefore, caution should be exercised when prescribing amantadine to patients with risk factors for QT prolongation. If a patient is already taking amantadine and develops a prolonged QTc interval, the medication should be discontinued and an alternative treatment considered. It is important to monitor the QTc interval in patients taking amantadine, especially those with risk factors for QT prolongation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Psychopharmacology
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Question 2
Incorrect
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Can you provide an accurate definition of social capital?
Your Answer: The resources available to an individual within a population from which they can draw support during periods of mental instability
Correct Answer: Features of social life, networks, norms, and trust that enable participants to act together more effectively to pursue shared objectives
Explanation:Social Capital: An Explanation for Inequalities in Morbidity and Mortality
The concept of social capital may provide insight into the observed disparities in morbidity and mortality based on occupational social class and material standard of living (McKenzie 2002). Social capital is considered the binding force of society, and it is believed that groups lacking in social capital may be at higher risk for mental illness.
Social capital is defined as the features of social life – networks, norms, and trust – that enable participants to act together more effectively to pursue shared objectives (Putnam, 1996). It is a characteristic of groups rather than individuals and can be divided into structural and cognitive components. Structural social capital includes roles, rules, behaviors, networks, and institutions that bond individuals in groups, bridge divides between societal groups, of vertically integrate groups with different levels of power and influence in a society, leading to social inclusion. Cognitive social capital refers to the values, attitudes, and beliefs that produce cooperative behavior (Colletta & Cullen, 2000).
In summary, social capital may offer an explanation for the observed inequalities in morbidity and mortality by occupational social class and material standard of living. It is a property of groups and can be broken down into structural and cognitive components.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Social Psychology
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Question 3
Correct
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A comparison of antipsychotics for treating schizophrenia was conducted through a network meta-analysis. The ranking of antipsychotics was evaluated based on their efficacy and all-cause discontinuation. According to this assessment, which antipsychotic was ranked second highest after clozapine?
Your Answer: Amisulpride
Explanation:In comparison with the other medications listed, Amisulpride showed indications of being more effective and better tolerated. The remaining antipsychotics were ranked in the following order: Olanzapine, Risperidone, Paliperidone, and Zotepine.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Psychopharmacology
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Question 4
Incorrect
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What is a true statement about the cytochrome P450 system?
Your Answer: Tobacco can lower clozapine levels by the induction of CYP2D6
Correct Answer: CYP2D6 shows the largest phenotypic variation amongst the cytochromes
Explanation:The liver plays a significant role in breaking down clozapine through the action of CYP450 enzymes, with CYP1A2, CYP3A4, and CYP2D6 being particularly involved in the process.
The Cytochrome P450 system is a group of enzymes that metabolize drugs by altering their functional groups. The system is located in the liver and small intestine and is involved in drug interactions through enzyme induction of inhibition. Notable inducers include smoking, alcohol, and St John’s Wort, while notable inhibitors include grapefruit juice and some SSRIs. CYP2D6 is important due to genetic polymorphism, and CYP3A4 is the most abundant subfamily and is commonly involved in interactions. Grapefruit juice inhibits both CYP1A2 and CYP3A4, while tobacco smoking induces CYP1A2. The table summarizes the main substrates, inhibitors, and inducers for each CYP enzyme.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Psychopharmacology
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Question 5
Correct
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Which topic is associated with the Tarasoff case?
Your Answer: Confidentiality
Explanation:Tarasoff Case: Mental Health Professionals’ Duty to Protect
The Tarasoff case was brought before the Supreme Court of California, which ruled that mental health professionals have a responsibility to safeguard individuals who are at risk of physical harm from a patient. This decision has significant implications for the issue of confidentiality in mental health treatment. The court’s ruling establishes that the duty to protect supersedes the duty to maintain confidentiality in situations where a patient poses a threat to others. This case highlights the importance of mental health professionals’ obligation to balance their ethical responsibilities with the safety of their patients and the public.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Social Psychology
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Question 6
Incorrect
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Who made the term dementia praecox well-known?
Your Answer: Bleuler
Correct Answer: Kraepelin
Explanation:The history of schizophrenia diagnosis involves several key figures and their contributions. Emil Kraepelin translated the term démence précoce into ‘dementia praecox’, highlighting the early onset and cognitive changes of the disorder. Karl Ludwig Kahlbaum described mania and depression as stages of the same illness, using the term cyclothymia. Eugen Bleuler coined the term schizophrenia, replacing dementia praecox, and identified specific fundamental symptoms, including associational disturbances of thoughts, affect, autism, and ambivalence. Ernst Kretschmer found that schizophrenia occurred more often among persons with asthenic, athletic, of dysplastic body types. Kurt Schneider contributed the description of first rank symptoms, which were useful for diagnosis but not specific to schizophrenia and should not be rigidly applied.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- History Of Psychiatry
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Question 7
Correct
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Which statement about EPSEs is incorrect?
Your Answer: Anticholinergics are indicated in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia
Explanation:Patients who develop TD who are prescribed an anticholinergic drug should not have this discontinued if possible.
Extrapyramidal side-effects (EPSE’s) are a group of side effects that affect voluntary motor control, commonly seen in patients taking antipsychotic drugs. EPSE’s include dystonias, parkinsonism, akathisia, and tardive dyskinesia. They can be frightening and uncomfortable, leading to problems with non-compliance and can even be life-threatening in the case of laryngeal dystonia. EPSE’s are thought to be due to antagonism of dopaminergic D2 receptors in the basal ganglia. Symptoms generally occur within the first few days of treatment, with dystonias appearing quickly, within a few hours of administration of the first dose. Newer antipsychotics tend to produce less EPSE’s, with clozapine carrying the lowest risk and haloperidol carrying the highest risk. Akathisia is the most resistant EPSE to treat. EPSE’s can also occur when antipsychotics are discontinued (withdrawal dystonia).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Psychopharmacology
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Question 8
Correct
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What is a characteristic of typical grief?
Your Answer: Anger towards the deceased
Explanation:Understanding Grief: Normal and Abnormal Phases
Grief is a natural response to loss, and it is a complex process that can take different forms and durations. John Bowlby and Kubler-Ross have proposed models to describe the typical phases of grief, which can vary in intensity and duration for each individual. Bowlby’s model includes shock-numbness, yearning-searching, disorganization-despair, and reorganization, while Kubler-Ross’s model includes denial-dissociation-isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
However, some people may experience abnormal grief, which can be categorized as inhibited, delayed, of chronic/prolonged. Inhibited grief refers to the absence of expected grief symptoms at any stage, while delayed grief involves avoiding painful symptoms within two weeks of loss. Chronic/prolonged grief is characterized by continued significant grief-related symptoms six months after loss.
It is important to distinguish between normal grief and major depression, as a high proportion of people may meet the criteria for major depression in the first year following bereavement. Some features that can help differentiate between the two include generalized guilt, thoughts of death unrelated to the deceased, feelings of worthlessness, psychomotor retardation, and prolonged functional impairment.
Overall, understanding the phases and types of grief can help individuals and their loved ones navigate the grieving process and seek appropriate support and resources.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Social Psychology
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Question 9
Incorrect
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Based on the ÆSOP study, what is the most influential factor in determining a prolonged period of untreated psychosis (DUP)?
Your Answer: Family involvement in help seeking
Correct Answer: Insidious onset
Explanation:The variable with the strongest effect on DUP was not unemployment, but rather family involvement in help seeking. Additionally, an acute onset was associated with a shorter DUP compared to an insidious onset, and affective psychosis was associated with a shorter DUP than non-affective psychosis. However, unemployment was still found to be associated with a longer DUP. These findings were from the ÆSOP study, which included all patients with a first episode of psychosis who made contact with psychiatric services over a two year period and were living in defined catchment areas in London and Nottingham, UK.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Epidemiology
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Question 10
Correct
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A child who has recently been commenced on antipsychotics is found in bed adopting a strange posture, what would you suspect?
Your Answer: Dystonia
Explanation:Drug-induced dystonias typically manifest within a few days of initiating antipsychotic medication (of following a significant dosage increase). While they can affect any muscle group, they most frequently occur in the head and neck region.
Movement Disorders: Key Features
Movement disorders refer to a range of conditions that affect voluntary muscle movements. These disorders can be caused by various factors, including neurological conditions, medication side effects, and metabolic imbalances. The following table outlines some of the key features of common movement disorders:
Akinesia: Absence of loss of control of voluntary muscle movements, often seen in severe Parkinson’s disease.
Bradykinesia: Slowness of voluntary movement, a core symptom of Parkinson’s disease.
Akathisia: Subjective feeling of inner restlessness, often caused by antipsychotic medication use.
Athetosis: Continuous stream of slow, flowing, writhing involuntary movements, often seen in cerebral palsy, stroke, and Huntington’s disease.
Chorea: Brief, quasi-purposeful, irregular contractions that appear to flow from one muscle to the next, often seen in Huntington’s disease and Wilson’s disease.
Dystonia: Involuntary sustained of intermittent muscle contractions that cause twisting and repetitive movements, abnormal postures, of both.
Dyskinesia: General term referring to problems with voluntary movements and the presence of involuntary movements, often drug-induced.
Myoclonus: A sequence of repeated, often non-rhythmic, brief shock-like jerks due to sudden involuntary contraction of relaxation of one of more muscles.
Parkinsonism: Syndrome characterized by tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia.
Tic: Sudden, repetitive, non-rhythmic, stereotyped motor movement of vocalization involving discrete muscle groups, often seen in Tourette’s syndrome.
Tremor: Involuntary, rhythmic, alternating movement of one of more body parts, often seen in essential tremor, Parkinson’s disease, and alcohol withdrawal.
Hemiballismus: Repetitive, but constantly varying, large amplitude involuntary movements of the proximal parts of the limbs, often seen in stroke and traumatic brain injury.
Stereotypies: Repetitive, simple movements that can be voluntarily suppressed, often seen in autism and intellectual disability.
It is important to consider the underlying conditions and factors that may contribute to movement disorders in order to properly diagnose and treat these conditions.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Classification And Assessment
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Question 11
Incorrect
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Which of the subsequent options is not classified as a personality disorder in the ICD-10?
Your Answer: Schizoid
Correct Answer: Schizotypal
Explanation:While schizotypal personality disorder is included in the DSM, it is not listed as a separate diagnosis in the ICD-10. Instead, it is classified under the umbrella of schizophrenia. However, all of the other personality disorders mentioned are recognized in both the ICD-10 and DSM.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Diagnosis
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Question 12
Correct
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What are the two purine bases?
Your Answer: Adenine and guanine
Explanation:Nucleotides: The Building Blocks of DNA and RNA
Nucleotides are the fundamental units of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). Each nucleotide consists of three components: a sugar molecule (deoxyribose in DNA and ribose in RNA), a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. The nitrogenous bases can be classified into two categories: purines and pyrimidines. The purine bases include adenine and guanine, while the pyrimidine bases are cytosine, thymine (in DNA), and uracil (in RNA).
The arrangement of nucleotides in DNA and RNA determines the genetic information that is passed from one generation to the next. The sequence of nitrogenous bases in DNA forms the genetic code that determines the traits of an organism. RNA, on the other hand, plays a crucial role in protein synthesis by carrying the genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes, where proteins are synthesized.
Understanding the structure and function of nucleotides is essential for understanding the molecular basis of life. The discovery of the structure of DNA and the role of nucleotides in genetic information has revolutionized the field of biology and has led to many breakthroughs in medicine, biotechnology, and genetics.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
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Question 13
Correct
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Who is credited with creating the term schizophrenia?
Your Answer: Bleuler
Explanation:Historical Classification of Schizophrenia
The classification of schizophrenia has evolved over time, with various individuals contributing to its development. In 1801, Phillippe Pinel used the term ‘demencé’ to describe the loss of mental abilities in chronically ill patients. Benedict Morel coined the term ‘demencé precocé’ in 1852 to describe young patients with premature dementia. Kahlbaum was the first to describe ‘paraphrenia hebetica’ in the 1860s, which was later elaborated as ‘hebephrenia’ by Hecker in 1871.
In 1893, Emil Kraepelin used the term dementia praecox to describe the condition, emphasizing the importance of delusions, hallucinations, impaired attention, thought incoherence, stereotyped movements and expressions, deterioration of emotional life, and a loss of drive as key symptoms. In 1908, Eugen Bleuler coined the term ‘schizophrenia’ to replace dementia praecox, denoting ‘a splitting of the psychic functions.’ Bleuler expanded the concept to include presentations that did not include a ‘terminal state.’
Bleuler introduced a distinction between basic and accessory symptoms and primary and secondary symptoms. Basic symptoms are necessarily present in any case of schizophrenia, while accessory symptoms may of may not occur. The fundamental features of schizophrenia were loosening of associations, disturbances of affectivity, ambivalence, and autism. The alteration of associations is the only symptom that Bleuler regarded as both basic and primary, and can thus be described as the core disturbance in the Bleulerian conception of schizophrenia.
In 1939, Langfeldt introduced the term ‘schizophreniform psychosis’ to describe patients with Bleulerian schizophrenia who did not follow a progressively deteriorating course. In the 1960s, Rado/Meehl introduced the term ‘schizotypy’ to recognize the concept of a continuum of spectrum of schizophrenia-related phenotypes. In the 1980s, Crow proposed a subclassification of schizophrenia, dividing patients into types I and II. Type I patients present with positive symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations, while type II patients present with negative symptoms such as affective flattening and poverty of speech.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Classification And Assessment
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Question 14
Correct
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Which of the following is a first-rank symptom?
Your Answer: Thought withdrawal
Explanation:Kurt Schneider identified a set of symptoms that are highly indicative of schizophrenia, but not diagnostic. These are known as first-rank symptoms and include thought echo, third person auditory hallucinations, running commentary, made affect, made volition, made impulse, thought withdrawal, thought insertion, thought broadcast, delusional perception, and somatic passivity. Additionally, Schneider identified second-rank symptoms, which are common in schizophrenia but also occur in other mental illnesses. These include mood changes, emotional blunting, perplexity, and sudden delusional ideas.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Descriptive Psychopathology
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Question 15
Correct
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A 65-year-old patient presents to the emergency department with complaints of feeling unwell. They have developed mouth ulcers and a rash since starting a new medication two weeks ago, which was prescribed by their psychiatrist. The patient cannot remember the name of the drug they were started on. What medication do you suspect they have been prescribed?
Your Answer: Lamotrigine
Explanation:Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a condition that can be triggered by various anticonvulsants including lamotrigine, appears to align with the patient’s medical history.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a severe skin condition that can be caused by medication use of infection. Anticonvulsants, particularly lamotrigine, are often the cause. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, fatigue, and the appearance of ulcers and lesions in the mucous membranes. A rash of round lesions also appears on the face, trunk, arms, legs, and soles of the feet. It is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Psychopharmacology
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Question 16
Correct
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Which category does utilitarianism belong to?
Your Answer: Teleology
Explanation:Teleology, derived from the Greek words for goal and theory, is a moral philosophy that emphasizes the outcomes of actions as the initial consideration in evaluating ethical behavior. This category of theories is also known as consequentialism, as it focuses on the consequences of an action as the basis for determining its morality. Consequentialism evaluates the morality of an action based on the balance of its positive and negative outcomes. Utilitarianism of social consequentialism is the most prevalent form of consequentialism, although it is not the only one.
Ethical theory and principles are important in medical ethics. There are three key ethical theories that have dominated medical ethics: utilitarianism, deontological, and virtue-based. Utilitarianism is based on the greatest good for the greatest number and is a consequentialist theory. Deontological ethics emphasize moral duties and rules, rather than consequences. Virtue ethics is based on the ethical characteristics of a person and is associated with the concept of a good, happy, flourishing life.
More recent frameworks have attempted to reconcile different theories and values. The ‘four principles’ of ‘principlism’ approach, developed in the United States, is based on four common, basic prima facie moral commitments: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Autonomy refers to a patient’s right to make their own decisions, beneficence refers to the expectation that a doctor will act in a way that will be helpful to the patient, non-maleficence refers to the fact that doctors should avoid harming their patients, and justice refers to the expectation that all people should be treated fairly and equally.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Social Psychology
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Question 17
Incorrect
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As the liaison psychiatry doctor on-call, you are requested to assess a 42-year-old male patient in the early hours of the morning on a general medical ward. He was admitted with pancreatitis twelve hours ago and has been medically cleared. The patient has no significant past medical of psychiatric history, but he has become paranoid and delusional, believing that there are bugs crawling under his skin. What is the probable diagnosis?
Your Answer: Korsakoff's psychosis
Correct Answer: Delirium tremens (DTs)
Explanation:The presence of acute psychosis, visual hallucinations, and formications in an individual with pancreatitis likely caused by alcohol suggests severe alcohol withdrawal of DTs, which should have been prevented with prophylactic treatment using Librium (chlordiazepoxide). Schizophrenia is improbable due to the patient’s age, sudden onset of symptoms, and lack of first rank symptoms. Korsakoff’s of amnesic syndrome typically precedes Wernicke’s, and parenteral Pabrinex (thiamine) is usually administered prophylactically. Since the patient was an inpatient, it is unlikely that he had access to illicit drugs, and the absence of post-seizure psychosis rules out that possibility.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Diagnosis
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Question 18
Incorrect
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What factor is most strongly linked to an increased likelihood of experiencing sexual dysfunction?
Your Answer: Olanzapine
Correct Answer: Risperidone
Explanation:Antipsychotics and Sexual Dysfunction: Causes, Risks, and Management
Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of antipsychotic medication, with the highest risk associated with risperidone and haloperidol due to their effect on prolactin levels. Clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, aripiprazole, asenapine, and lurasidone are associated with lower rates of sexual dysfunction. The Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) can be used to measure sexual dysfunction before and during treatment. Management options include excluding other causes, watchful waiting, dose reduction, switching to a lower risk agent, adding aripiprazole, considering an antidote medication, of using sildenafil for erectile dysfunction. It is important to address sexual dysfunction to improve quality of life and medication adherence.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Psychopharmacology
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Question 19
Incorrect
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What is the primary metabolic pathway for benzodiazepines?
Your Answer: CYP1A2
Correct Answer: CYP3A4
Explanation:CYP3A4 is responsible for metabolizing the majority of benzodiazepines in the liver.
Benzodiazepines: Effective but Addictive
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that are commonly used to treat anxiety. They are divided into two categories: hypnotics, which have a short half-life, and anxiolytics, which have a long half-life. While they can be effective in reducing anxiety symptoms, they are also highly addictive and should not be prescribed for more than one month at a time.
Benzodiazepines are particularly effective as hypnotics, but they do have some negative effects on sleep. They suppress REM sleep, and when they are discontinued, a rebound effect is often seen. This means that people may experience more vivid dreams and nightmares when they stop taking the medication. It is important for doctors to carefully monitor patients who are taking benzodiazepines to ensure that they are not becoming addicted and that they are not experiencing any negative side effects.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Psychopharmacology
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Question 20
Incorrect
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What is the term used by Freud to describe the process through which people release their aggressive impulses?
Your Answer: Eros
Correct Answer: Catharsis
Explanation:Theories of aggression can be categorized into three main perspectives: psychodynamic, sociological/drive, and cognitive and learning. Psychodynamic theory, proposed by Freud, suggests that aggression arises from a primary instinct called thanatos, which aims for destruction and death. Sociobiological/drive theory, proposed by Lorenz, suggests that aggression is instinctual and necessary for survival, and that stronger genes are selected through aggression. Cognitive and learning theory, proposed by Berkowitz, Rotter, Bandura, and Anderson, suggests that aggression can be learned through observational learning and is influenced by environmental factors. Bandura’s work introduced the concept of reciprocal determinism, which suggests that behavior is influenced by both the environment and the individual’s behavior. Rotter’s social learning theory emphasizes the interaction between the individual and their environment, while Anderson and Bushman’s general aggression model considers the role of social, cognitive, developmental, and biological factors on aggression.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Social Psychology
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Question 21
Incorrect
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A 65-year-old patient was recently diagnosed with diabetes and was prescribed medication. He now presents with weight loss and increased thirst.
Which investigation is most likely to help make the correct diagnosis of this weight loss and increased thirst?Your Answer: U&Es
Correct Answer: Fasting glucose
Explanation:The most likely diagnosis for this patient is type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is important to note that the patient is experiencing weight loss, which is more commonly associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus of new onset type 2 diabetes mellitus. A fasting glucose test can aid in making a diagnosis and provide insight into the cause of the patient’s symptoms.
While abnormalities related to dehydration may be observed in U&Es, this investigation alone would not be sufficient for a diagnosis. LFTs and FBC may be useful as routine blood tests, but they would not provide an explanation for the patient’s clinical presentation.
If the patient is taking lithium, measuring lithium levels could be helpful in identifying potential side effects such as increased thirst. However, lithium is more commonly associated with weight gain rather than weight loss, so it may not be relevant in this case.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Assessment
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Question 22
Incorrect
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Which statement accurately describes interactions involving chlorpromazine?
Your Answer: Valproic acid increases the serum concentration of chlorpromazine
Correct Answer: Chlorpromazine increases the serum concentration of valproic acid
Explanation:The serum concentration of valproic acid may be elevated by chlorpromazine, although the reason for this is not fully understood. However, this outcome is widely acknowledged.
Chlorpromazine: Photosensitivity Reactions and Patient Precautions
Chlorpromazine, the first drug used for psychosis, is a common topic in exams. However, it is important to note that photosensitivity reactions are a known side effect of its use. Patients taking chlorpromazine should be informed of this and advised to take necessary precautions. Proper education and awareness can help prevent potential harm from photosensitivity reactions.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Psychopharmacology
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Question 23
Incorrect
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What is the most sleep-inducing SSRI for older adults?
Your Answer: Sertraline
Correct Answer: Paroxetine
Explanation:Compared to other SSRIs, paroxetine has a higher affinity for muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, resulting in greater sedation. Conversely, citalopram and escitalopram have a low likelihood of causing sedation. Fluoxetine and sertraline do not typically induce sedation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Psychopharmacology
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Question 24
Incorrect
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What is the principle utilized to forecast the temporal pattern of medication levels in various regions of the body?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Pharmacokinetic
Explanation:The time course of drug concentration in various body parts is described and predicted by pharmacokinetics, while pharmacodynamics is used to describe the intensity and time course of a drug’s effects. Pharmacological actions encompass genetic and environmental factors that affect an individual’s response to and tolerance of psychotropic agents. The mechanism of drugs’ therapeutic effects is described as how they are produced.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Psychopharmacology
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Question 25
Incorrect
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What is one of the main skills proposed by Thurstone?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Word fluency
Explanation:All the other choices are components of the WAIS (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale).
Thurstone’s Theory of Intelligence
Louis Leon Thurstone believed that intelligence could not be reduced to a single factor. Instead, he proposed that intelligence is composed of seven distinct abilities, which he called the primary abilities. These abilities include word fluency, verbal comprehension, spatial visualization, number facility, associative memory, reasoning, and perceptual speed. According to Thurstone, each of these abilities is independent of the others and contributes to an individual’s overall intelligence. This theory challenged the prevailing view of intelligence at the time, which held that intelligence could be measured by a single factor known as the g factor. Thurstone’s theory has had a lasting impact on the field of psychology and has influenced the development of modern intelligence tests.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Social Psychology
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Question 26
Incorrect
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Which allele is believed to have a protective effect against Alzheimer's disease?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: APOE2
Explanation:APOE3 is considered to have a neutral effect on the risk of developing certain health conditions.
Genetics plays a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, with different genes being associated with early onset and late onset cases. Early onset Alzheimer’s, which is rare, is linked to three genes: amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin one (PSEN-1), and presenilin two (PSEN-2). The APP gene, located on chromosome 21, produces a protein that is a precursor to amyloid. The presenilins are enzymes that cleave APP to produce amyloid beta fragments, and alterations in the ratios of these fragments can lead to plaque formation. Late onset Alzheimer’s is associated with the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene on chromosome 19, with the E4 variant increasing the risk of developing the disease. People with Down’s syndrome are also at high risk of developing Alzheimer’s due to inheriting an extra copy of the APP gene.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
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Question 27
Incorrect
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Which of the following is the least likely to worsen a physiological tremor?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Lorazepam
Explanation:Physiological tremors can be intensified by several drugs, while alcohol and benzodiazepines have a tendency to reduce tremors.
Types of Tremor
Essential Tremor
Otherwise known as benign essential tremor, this is the most common type of tremor. It is not associated with any underlying pathology. It usually begins in the 40’s, affects mainly the hands, and is slowly progressive. It tends to worsen with heightened emotion. It usually presents with unilateral upper limb involvement then progresses to both limbs.
Parkinsonian Tremor
This tremor is associated with Parkinson’s disease. It is classically described as ‘pill rolling’ due to the characteristic appearance of the fingers.
Cerebellar Tremor
Otherwise known as an intention tremor. This is a slow, coarse tremor which gets worse with purposeful movement. This is seen in lithium toxicity (note that the tremor seen as a side effect of long term lithium is fine and classed as physiological).
Psychogenic Tremor
Also known as a hysterical tremor. This type of tremor tends to appear and disappear suddenly and is hard to characterise due to its changeable nature. It tends to improve with distraction.
Physiologic Tremor
This is a very-low-amplitude fine tremor that is barely visible to the naked eye. It is present in every normal person while maintaining a posture of movement. It becomes enhanced and visible in many conditions such as anxiety, hyperthyroidism, alcohol withdrawal, and as drug induced side effects.
It is useful to have a basic idea about the frequencies of different types of tremor.
Type of Tremor Frequency
Intention 2-3Hz
Parkinsonian 5Hz
Essential 7Hz
Physiological 10Hz
Psychogenic variable
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Classification And Assessment
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Question 28
Incorrect
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What is true about the genetics of alcoholism?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: The heritability of alcohol dependence is thought to be between 45-65%
Explanation:Genetics and Alcoholism
Alcoholism tends to run in families, and several studies confirm that biological children of alcoholics are more likely to develop alcoholism even when adopted by parents without the condition. Monozygotic twins have a greater concordance rate for alcoholism than dizygotic twins. Heritability estimates range from 45 to 65 percent for both men and women. While genetic differences affect risk, there is no “gene for alcoholism,” and both environmental and social factors weigh heavily on the outcome.
The genes with the clearest contribution to the risk for alcoholism and alcohol consumption are alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2). The first step in ethanol metabolism is oxidation to acetaldehyde, by ADHs. The second step is metabolism of the acetaldehyde to acetate by ALDHs. Individuals carrying even a single copy of the ALDH2*504K display the “Asian flushing reaction” when they consume even small amounts of alcohol. There is one significant genetic polymorphism of the ALDH2 gene, resulting in allelic variants ALDH2*1 and ALDH2*2, which is virtually inactive. ALDH2*2 is present in about 50 percent of the Taiwanese, Han Chinese, and Japanese populations. It is extremely rare outside Asia. Nearly no individuals of European of African descent carry this allele. ALDH2*504K has repeatedly been demonstrated to have a protective effect against alcohol use disorders.
The three different class I gene loci, ADH1A (alpha), ADH1B (beta), and ADH1C (gamma) are situated close to each other in the region 4q2123. The alleles ADH1C*1 and ADH1B*2 code for fast metabolism of alcohol. The ADH1B*1 slow allele is very common among Caucasians, with approximately 95 percent having the homozygous ADH1B*1/1 genotype and 5 percent having the heterozygous ADH1B*1/2 genotype. The ADH1B*2 allele is the most common allele in Asian populations. In African populations, the ADH1B*1 allele is the most common.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
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Question 29
Incorrect
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What is one of the five major personality traits?
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Neuroticism
Explanation:The Big Five Personality Traits, also known as OCEAN, are five broad categories that can be used to describe an individual’s personality. These categories include Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion (also known as Surgency), Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (also known as Emotional Stability). Each of these traits can be further broken down into specific characteristics that help to define an individual’s personality. For example, Openness to Experience includes traits such as imagination, creativity, and a willingness to try new things. Conscientiousness includes traits such as organization, responsibility, and dependability. Extraversion includes traits such as sociability, assertiveness, and energy level. Agreeableness includes traits such as kindness, empathy, and cooperation. Finally, Neuroticism includes traits such as anxiety, moodiness, and emotional instability. Understanding these personality traits can be helpful in a variety of settings, such as in the workplace of in personal relationships.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Classification And Assessment
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Question 30
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A new student, recently enrolled, attends a school assembly. At this assembly, she sees a group of older students whispering to each other. She notices them looking her way as she finds a seat. She thinks that they are judging her and trying to intimidate her. She mentions this to a teacher who seems surprised and encourages her to be open to the fact that the older students might have been discussing something unrelated to her.
Which of the following is illustrated by this case example?Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Hostile attribution bias
Explanation:Attribution Theory: Understanding How We Explain Events
Attribution theory provides a framework for understanding how individuals explain events in their environment. It examines how people use information to arrive at causal explanations for events and what factors influence their judgments. Fritz Heider first proposed a theory of attribution in 1958.
However, attribution is prone to biases such as the Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE), which overemphasizes dispositional factors over situational causes when making attributions about others’ behavior. The Actor-Observer Bias, on the other hand, undervalues dispositional explanations and overvalued situational explanations of our own behavior. Correspondence bias is the tendency to draw inferences about a person’s unique and enduring dispositions from behaviors that can be entirely explained by the situations in which they occur. Self-serving bias refers to people’s tendency to attribute their successes to internal factors but attribute their failures to external factors. Hostile Attribution Bias (HAB) is an interpretive bias where individuals interpret ambiguous behavior as hostile, leading to aggression. Finally, the False Consensus Effect is the tendency for people to project their way of thinking onto others, assuming that everyone else thinks the same way they do.
Overall, attribution theory helps us understand how people make sense of events in their environment, but it is important to be aware of the biases that can influence our judgments.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Social Psychology
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