{"id":3150,"date":"2022-12-21T13:36:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-21T13:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/?p=3150"},"modified":"2026-03-20T13:51:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T21:51:45","slug":"nclex-question-of-the-day-substance-use-disorder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-substance-use-disorder","title":{"rendered":"NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question of the Day: Substance use disorder"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 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-question-of-the-day-substance-use-disorder\/#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-question-of-the-day-substance-use-disorder\/#B_Dopamine\" >B. Dopamine<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-substance-use-disorder\/#Ready_to_put_your_nursing_knowledge_to_the_test\" >Ready to put your nursing knowledge to the test?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/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-question-of-the-day-substance-use-disorder\/#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-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-substance-use-disorder\/#Incorrect_Answer_Explanations\" >Incorrect Answer Explanations<\/a><\/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 neurotransmitter activity and how it relates to substance use disorders with a student nurse. Can you figure it out?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The nurse preceptor in the psychiatric emergency department is discussing neurotransmitter activity and how it relates to substance use disorders with a student nurse. Which is the primary neurotransmitter in the reward center of the brain?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A. Serotonin<\/strong><strong>B. Dopamine<br><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>C. Acetylcholine<\/strong><strong>D. Norepinephrine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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><strong>B. 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<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ready_to_put_your_nursing_knowledge_to_the_test\"><\/span><em>Ready to put your nursing knowledge to the test?<\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Explore the&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-smarter-prep-better-results\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NCLEX\u00ae Question of the Day: Smarter Prep, Better Results<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;page to practice with NCLEX-style questions and boost your confidence before exam day.<\/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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"690\" height=\"352\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/image_812aba.png\" alt=\"PATHOLOGY\nEthanol (OH) &amp; Nicotine -&gt; Dopamine (pleasant &amp; euphoric experience) = Repeated use of substance\" class=\"wp-image-3152\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/image_812aba.png 690w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/image_812aba.png?resize=300,153 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px\" \/><\/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<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A. Serotonin<\/strong><\/p>\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<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>C. Acetylcholine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale:<\/strong>&nbsp;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<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>D. Norepinephrine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale:&nbsp;<\/strong>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<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\/rn?source_cta=navbar\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/image_eebbd0.png\" alt=\"Ace the NCLEX-RN with Osmosis. Sign up now ad\" class=\"wp-image-3153\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/image_eebbd0.png 700w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/image_eebbd0.png?resize=300,107 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Want more NCLEX\u00ae-style practice questions? Try Osmosis 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.<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\/rn?source_cta=navbar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Which neurotransmitter plays a central role in the brain\u2019s reward center and influences substance use behaviors?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":279,"featured_media":3151,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,29,1367,32],"tags":[1888,1886,1883,244,1884,1889,1402,1885,1887,887],"class_list":["post-3150","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exam-prep","category-nclex","category-nclex-rn","category-nursing","tag-acetylcholine","tag-brain-chemistry","tag-dopamine","tag-nclex-rn","tag-neurotransmitters","tag-norepinephrine","tag-psychiatric-nursing","tag-reward-center","tag-serotonin","tag-substance-use-disorder"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - 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