Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP) Practice Test

The beneficial effects of a phenothiazine would most likely be apparent first for which of the following symptoms?

1. Hallucinations

2. Social withdrawal

3. Anergia

4. Thought disorder

The correct answer is: Hallucinations

Phenothiazines are a class of antipsychotic medications that primarily target the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions, by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. Among the symptoms listed, hallucinations are considered one of the most immediate and dramatic manifestations of psychotic disorders. When a patient begins treatment with a phenothiazine, the effects on hallucinations are often seen before other symptoms improve. This is because the primary mechanism of action of these medications quickly reduces the overstimulation of dopamine pathways that contribute to these positive symptoms. As a result, patients may experience a notable decrease in hallucinations shortly after initiating treatment. In contrast, symptoms like social withdrawal, anergia (lack of energy), and thought disorders tend to be more complex and may take longer to address. These symptoms often involve broader cognitive and emotional processes that may not respond as rapidly to medication compared to the acute reduction of hallucinations. Therefore, the beneficial effects of a phenothiazine are most likely to be first observed in the reduction of hallucinations.