{"id":2254,"date":"2023-11-22T20:53:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-22T20:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/?p=2254"},"modified":"2026-03-20T13:51:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T21:51:11","slug":"nclex-qotd-neurotransmitter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-qotd-neurotransmitter","title":{"rendered":"NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question of the Day: Neurotransmitter"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">In This Article<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-qotd-neurotransmitter\/#The_correct_answer_to_todays_NCLEX-RN%C2%AE_Question_is%E2%80%A6\" >The correct answer to today&#8217;s NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question is&#8230;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-qotd-neurotransmitter\/#B_Dopamine\" >B.&nbsp;Dopamine<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-qotd-neurotransmitter\/#Major_Takeaway\" >Major Takeaway<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-qotd-neurotransmitter\/#Incorrect_answer_explanations\" >Incorrect answer explanations<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-qotd-neurotransmitter\/#A_Serotonin\" >A. Serotonin<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-qotd-neurotransmitter\/#C_Acetylcholine\" >C. Acetylcholine<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-qotd-neurotransmitter\/#D_Norepinephrine\" >D. Norepinephrine<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-qotd-neurotransmitter\/#i\" >&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;________________________<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Today&#8217;s NCLEX-RN\u00ae question of the day focuses on a nurse who is reviewing neurotransmitter activity and how it relates to substance use disorders. Which is the primary neurotransmitter in the reward center of the brain?&nbsp;<\/em><em>Can you figure it out?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The nurse is reviewing neurotransmitter activity and how it relates to substance use disorders. Which is the primary neurotransmitter in the reward center of the brain?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A. Serotonin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>B. Dopamine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>C. Acetylcholine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>D. Norepinephrine<\/strong>Scroll down for the correct answer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_correct_answer_to_todays_NCLEX-RN%C2%AE_Question_is%E2%80%A6\"><\/span>The correct answer to today&#8217;s NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question is&#8230;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"B_Dopamine\"><\/span>B.&nbsp;<strong>Dopamine<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale:&nbsp;<\/strong>Dopamine is the primary neurotransmitter in the reward center. When a person experiences pleasure, a surge of dopamine is released from the nucleus accumbens, which is a cluster of nerves near the hypothalamus, more commonly known as the brain\u2019s reward center<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Major_Takeaway\"><\/span>Major Takeaway<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Inside the brain are small molecules called neurotransmitters that are produced and used by neurons to communicate with each other. This communication happens when one neuron releases a neurotransmitter which then binds to the receptors of another neuron causing the neuron to react.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dopamine is the primary neurotransmitter involved in the reward center of the brain. When a person experiences pleasure, a surge of dopamine is released from the nucleus accumbens, which is a cluster of nerves near the hypothalamus, more commonly known as the brain\u2019s reward center.center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"522\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/2024-09-11T145417.108.png?w=1024\" alt=\"Illustration of the Physiology of brain's reward center\" class=\"wp-image-2256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/2024-09-11T145417.108.png 1872w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/2024-09-11T145417.108.png?resize=300,153 300w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/2024-09-11T145417.108.png?resize=768,391 768w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/2024-09-11T145417.108.png?resize=1024,522 1024w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/2024-09-11T145417.108.png?resize=1536,783 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Incorrect_answer_explanations\"><\/span>Incorrect answer explanations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Serotonin\"><\/span>A. Serotonin<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale:<\/strong>&nbsp;Serotonin is not the primary neurotransmitter involved in the reward center of the brain. This neurotransmitter has several functions, including regulation of mood, sleep, and appetite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"C_Acetylcholine\"><\/span>C. Acetylcholine<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale:&nbsp;<\/strong>Acetylcholine is not the primary neurotransmitter involved in the reward center of the brain. Acetylcholine is the primary neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"D_Norepinephrine\"><\/span>D. Norepinephrine<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale:<\/strong>&nbsp;Norepinephrine is not the primary neurotransmitter involved in the reward center of the brain. Norepinephrine is the neurotransmitter responsible for the \u201cfight or flight\u201d response.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"i\"><\/span><strong><em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;________________________<\/em><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Want more NCLEX\u00ae-style practice questions? Try Osmosis by Elsevier today! Access your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/login?type=create\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">free trial<\/a>\u00a0and find out why millions of current and future clinicians and caregivers love learning with us.\u00a0us.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\/rn\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"904\" height=\"324\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/image_3092bb.png\" alt=\"Osmosis ad to create an account\" class=\"wp-image-2257\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/image_3092bb.png 904w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/image_3092bb.png?resize=300,108 300w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/image_3092bb.png?resize=768,275 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 904px) 100vw, 904px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\/rn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today&#8217;s NCLEX-RN\u00ae question of the day focuses on a nurse who is reviewing neurotransmitter activity and how it relates to substance use disorders. Which is the primary neurotransmitter in the reward center of the brain?&nbsp;Can you figure it out? The nurse is reviewing neurotransmitter activity and how it relates to substance use disorders. Which is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":279,"featured_media":2255,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[20,29,1367,32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2254","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exam-prep","category-nclex","category-nclex-rn","category-nursing"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question of the Day: Neurotransmitter - Osmosis Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-qotd-neurotransmitter\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question of the Day: Neurotransmitter - Osmosis Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Today&#8217;s NCLEX-RN\u00ae question of the day focuses on a nurse who is reviewing neurotransmitter activity and how it relates to substance use disorders. Which is the primary neurotransmitter in the reward center of the brain?&nbsp;Can you figure it out? The nurse is reviewing neurotransmitter activity and how it relates to substance use disorders. 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