RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2022
Applied Physiology
Easy
Which of the following does not act as a neurotransmitter?
Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2022
Explanation
- Cortisone is a corticosteroid, a type of steroid hormone, produced by the adrenal cortex.
- Its primary functions are to regulate metabolism, reduce inflammation, and help the body respond to stress.
- Unlike neurotransmitters, which act locally at synapses, cortisone is released into the bloodstream and travels to target cells throughout the body, exerting its effects more slowly and over a longer duration.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: Acetylcholine is a classic and primary neurotransmitter.
- Option B: Epinephrine (adrenaline) functions as both a hormone and a neurotransmitter.
- Option C: Norepinephrine is the primary neurotransmitter of the sympathetic nervous system.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Differentiation between neurotransmitters and hormones as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- Understanding the difference is vital for pharmacology. Nurses administer drugs that mimic or block these substances. For example, corticosteroids (like Prednisone, a synthetic cortisone) are used to treat inflammation, while beta-blockers block receptors for epinephrine and norepinephrine to manage hypertension.
- Nurses must monitor for side effects related to the mechanism of action. Long-term corticosteroid use can lead to systemic effects like hyperglycemia and immunosuppression, which are different from the side effects of drugs targeting neurotransmitter systems (e.g., dizziness, bradycardia with beta-blockers).
- What if? If a patient is on long-term high-dose corticosteroid therapy (like for an autoimmune disease), the nurse's priority shifts to monitoring for signs of infection (due to immunosuppression), checking blood glucose levels, and assessing for adrenal suppression upon withdrawal, which are hormonal effects, not neurotransmitter-related ones.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the key term in the question: 'neurotransmitter'. Define what a neurotransmitter is: a chemical messenger that transmits a signal across a synapse from one neuron to another.
- Note the negative phrasing: 'does not act as'. This means you are looking for the one option that is NOT a neurotransmitter.
- Evaluate each option against your definition.
- Recall that Acetylcholine, Epinephrine, and Norepinephrine are all key players in the nervous system, frequently discussed as neurotransmitters.
- Identify Cortisone as a steroid, which is a class of hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers, but they travel through the bloodstream to act on distant targets, which is a different mechanism than neurotransmitters.
- Conclude that Cortisone is the correct answer as it does not fit the definition of a neurotransmitter.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Differentiation between neurotransmitters and hormones
- Stem keywords: neurotransmitter
- Lead-in keywords: does not act as
- Negative lead-in flag: The question asks to identify the option that does NOT fit the described category (neurotransmitter).
Question ID
QOakeR6GgvN4JmPjWQVPUz
Reference Book
E6 Anatomy Grays 43e Vol 1 Part 1 p. 81-83
E6 Physiology Essentials Sembulingam 10e Part 3 p. 60-62
E6 Pharmacology Katzung 16e p. 147-149
Practise the full RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2022
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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