Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Caring for Clients With Dementia and Thought Disorders Related

Review Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Caring for Clients With Dementia and Thought Disorders related questions and content

The nurse is caring for a 24-year-old client newly diagnosed with schizophrenia. The client asks: 'How could this be happening? What is wrong with my brain?' The nurse is most correct to identify which neurotransmitter as having the highest imbalance?

  • A. Acetylcholine
  • B. Dopamine
  • C. Serotonin
  • D. Gamma-aminobutyric acid
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Schizophrenia is characterized as a psychobiologic disease because of findings in brain and neurotransmitter chemistry. Dopamine excess is believed to be the major cause of symptoms, with imbalance of norepinephrine, serotonin, and gamma-aminobutyric acid also playing a role.