1. The first use of convulsive therapy for psychiatric disorders is attributed to Ladislaus von Meduna. 2. The first therapeutic use of electrically induced seizures was related to Luigi Bini and Ugo Cerletti. 3. The standard sequence for administering medications for anesthesia during ECT is: atropine, thiopentone/methohexitol, and succinylcholine.

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Psychiatric Nursing Quiz
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
1. The first use of convulsive therapy for the treatment of a psychiatric disorder in modern
times is attributed to
A. Ladislaus von Meduna
B. A. E. Bennett
C. Egas Moniz
D. Kurt Schneider
2. The first therapeutic use of electrically induced seizures in the treatment of mental
disorders is related to
A. Harold Sackeim
B. Luigi Bini and Ugo Cerletti
C. D. Goldman
D. G. Holmberg and S. Thesieff
3. The sequece of administration of medications in anesthesia for ECT is:
A. Atropine---thiopentone/methohexitol---succinylcholine
B. Succinylcholine---atropine---thiopentone/methohexitol
C. Atracurium---succinylcholine---atropine
D. Atropine--- succinylecholine---thiopentone/methohexitol
4. As per the current evidence, which statement is NOT correct?
A. Bilateral ECT is superior in efficacy to unilateral ECT.
B. Unilateral ECT is more likely to cause cognitive deficits.
C. Brief-pulse ECT delivery is associated with decreased cognitive deficits.
D. Unilateral ECT is administered to the non-dominant hemisphere
5. Which of the following drugs is associated with lower seizure thresholds when
administering ECT?

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A. Lithium
B. Anticonvulsants
C. Benzodiazepines
D. Barbiturates
6. What is the minimum seizure duration required for effectiveness of ECT?
A. 1 to 3 seconds
B. 5 to 10 seconds
C. 30 to 90 seconds
D. 180 to 200 seconds
7. What is the best accepted placement of electrodes in unilateral ECT?
A. Bifrontotemporal
B. Paritotemporal
C. Occipital
D. D'Elia position
8. What is considered as the gold standard for confirmation of seizure in ECT?
A. Cuff method
B. Electroencephalography (EEG)
C. Electromyogram (EMG)
D. Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)
9. What is the average mortality rate with ECT (modified)?
A. 3-4 per 100,000
B. 10-25 per 100,000
C. 10-20 per 10,000
D. 50-60 per 1000,00
10. Factors predisposing to postictal confusional state include, all EXCEPT:

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A. Sine wave ECT
B. High-dose ECT
C. Existing CNS disease
D. Multiple ECT
E. A younger age group
11. Which is the best unit for quantification of ECT stimuli?
A. Millicoulombs (mC)
B. Joules
C. Watts
D. Volt
12. Which of the following is NOT a recommended preparation for ECT procedure?
A. Informed consent in writing
B. Pre-ECT investigations
C. Morning bath, cleaning the oil from the head, overnight fast
D. Premedication with an anticholinergic agent
E. Administration of an anticonvulsant 30 minutes before ECT
13. The most common indication of ECT is:
A. Schizophrenia
B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
C. Manic episodes
D. Major depression
14. rTMS is found to have antidepressant properties when applied to
A. Temporal– parietal regions of the cortex
B. Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)
C. Occipital cortex

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D. Parieto-occipital cortex
15. The most persistent adverse effect of ECT is
A. Retrograde amnesia
B. Fractures
C. Seizures
D. Hypertension
16. Which of the following conditions is known to have the best response to ECT?
A. Depression with suicidal tendancy
B. Simple schizophrenia
C. Paranoid schizophrenia
D. Obsessive compulsive disorder
17. The commonest side effect of ECT is
A. Dehydration
B. Dementia
C. Amnesia
D. Fractures
18. Which of the following is TRUE about electroconvulsive therapy?
A. Contraindicated in brain tumor
B. Requires more than 70 volts
C. Treatment of major depression
D. All are true
19. Best response to ECT is seen in
A. Catatonic schizophrenia
B. Paranoid schizophrenia

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C. Hebiphreniac Schizophrenia
D. Simple schizophrenia
E. Residual schizophrenia
20. Which of the following component is least important in ECT?
A. Voltage and amperage of current
B. AC or DC current
C. Duration of current
D. Interval and type of therapy
21. Which of the following parameters is TRUE about ECT?
A. 40-60 volts, 2 seconds
B. 80-90 volts, 0.01 seconds
C. 90-120 volts, 0.3 seconds
D. 120-150 volts, 3 minutes
22. Which of the following characteristics is associated with unilateral ECT?
A. Less amnesia
B. High voltage current
C. Rapid improvement
D. Effective in schizophrenia
23. Absolute contraindication for ECT is
A. Pregnancy
B. Lactation
C. Old gae
D. Raised intracranial pressure
24. Udvantages of unilateral ECT include

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A. More effective than bilateral ECT
B. More prefferable in schizophrenua
C. Less number of treatments
D. Less confusion and amnesia
25. Use of succinylecholine in ECT is
A. Safer than curare
B. May cause prolonged apnea
C. Reduces possibility of fractures
D. All are true
26. Less memory disturbance is seen with
A. Bilateral ECT
B. Unilateral ECT
C. Direct ECT
D. Modified ECT
ANSWER KEY
1. A 2. B 3. A 4. B 5. A
6. C 7. D 8. B 9. A 10. E
11. A 12. E 13.D 14. B 15. A
16. A 17. C 18. D 19. A 20. B
21. C 22. A 23. D 24. D 25. D
26. B