AP Psychology : Medications

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Psychology

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Example Questions

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Example Question #1 : Medications

What types of disorders have salts of lithium been used to treat?

Possible Answers:

Eating disorders

Multiple personality disorders

Bipolar disorders

Dissociative disorders

Sleeping disorders

Correct answer:

Bipolar disorders

Explanation:

Lithium is the most widely used and studied medications for bipolar disorders. They also have a role in treating depression and mania, acutely and long term. Once ingested, lithium becomes prevalent in the central nervous system (CNS), and can bind to a number of receptors in order to block norepinephrine production. It can also interact with neurotransmitters in order to cause a release of seratonin. 

Example Question #1 : Medications

Stacy would like to test whether an anti-depressant effectively reduces symptoms of depression. She gives depressed participants a questionnaire before administration of the drug. Half of the participants receive the drug for six weeks, and the other half receive a placebo sugar pill. She then gives the same questionnaire to assess any changes in symptoms. 

Which of these is most likely the drug that Stacy administers?

Possible Answers:

Vicodin

Lithium

Adderall

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

Xanax

Correct answer:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

Explanation:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used to treat mood disorders. The other choices are used for other types of mental illnesses.

Example Question #141 : Ap Psychology

For which psychiatric disorder are SSRIs most commonly prescribed?

Possible Answers:

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Somatoform disorder

Depression

Bipolar disorder

Schizophrenia

Correct answer:

Depression

Explanation:

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are commonly prescribed for depressed patients to increase the amount of serotonin in their bodies. Having a greater amount of serotonin is associated with experiencing more positive emotions.

Example Question #142 : Ap Psychology

What is the most popular psychotropic medication to treat bipolar disorder?

Possible Answers:

Lithium

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Berillium

Anti-anxiety medication

Anti-depressant medication

Correct answer:

Lithium

Explanation:

Lithium is typically used to treat the manic symptomology associated with bipolar disorder.

Example Question #3 : Medications

Which of the following mental disorders would not benefit from treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors?

Possible Answers:

Bipolar disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Schizophrenia

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Antisocial personality disorder

Correct answer:

Antisocial personality disorder

Explanation:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors interfere with serotonin transport in the brain's synapses and can work to elevate mood. SSRIs are used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Treatment for personality disorders with SSRIs is not successful. 

Example Question #1 : Medications

Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, and Xanax are used to treat panic disorders. These medications are considered to fall under which category?

Possible Answers:

Lithium

Antiadrenergic agents

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Benzodiazepines

Correct answer:

Benzodiazepines

Explanation:

Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, and Valium, act like sedatives, but without their sleep-inducing effect. These medications can be effective in the treatment of panic disorders.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Zoloft, Paxil, and Luvox, are mood stabilizers and are used to treat depression. Nardil is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) useful in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder by reducing nightmares and insomnia. Catapres and Inderal, which are antiadrenergic agents, are also useful in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Antiadrenergic agents reduce startle reactions. Lithium is a mood stabilizer used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Example Question #141 : Ap Psychology

Which of the following is not a depressant drug?

Possible Answers:

Alcohol

Cocaine

Opiates

Barbiturates

Benzodiazepines

Correct answer:

Cocaine

Explanation:

Depressants are drugs that reduce neural activity and slow down bodily functions. Cocaine is a stimulant, which increases neural activity and speeds up bodily functions. All of the other answer choices are depressants. 

Example Question #31 : Treatments

Which of the following is a commonly prescribed antidepressant?

Possible Answers:

Olanzapine

Xanax

Selective acetylcholine reuptake inhibitors (SARIs)

Lithium

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Correct answer:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Explanation:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) block the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain to help ease depressive symptoms. Some of the most popular SSRIs are Zoloft (Sertraline) and Prozac (Fluoxetine).

Example Question #4 : Medications

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOs) are one form of treatment for depression. How do MAOs work?

Possible Answers:

They stimulate brain nerves.

They inhibit monoamine axidase which normally encourage serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

They stimulate GABA receptors through MAOs.

They inhibit monoamine axidase which normally inhibits serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

Correct answer:

They inhibit monoamine axidase which normally inhibits serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

Explanation:

MAO medication inhibits MAOs, which normally inhibit serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, so that these neurotransmitters can increase in concentration.

Example Question #1 : Medications

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors) work in which of the following ways?

Possible Answers:

They block reuptake of serotonin so that it can work within the brain to inhibit the anxiety pathway.

They increase dopamine within the brain.

They stabilize mood by shutting down the amygdala.

They work to enhance GABA's inhibitory role.

Correct answer:

They block reuptake of serotonin so that it can work within the brain to inhibit the anxiety pathway.

Explanation:

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are used to treat depression because they block the reuptake of 5-HT serotonin, allowing it to remain in the locus coeruleus (LC) to block anxiety there.

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