Chapter 24: Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

Chapter 24: Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. A patient laughs while saying, “My dog died yesterday.” The nurse documents this behavior using what terminology?

a.	Autistic
b.	Ambivalence
c.	Inappropriate affect
d.	Associative looseness

 

 

ANS:  C

Speaking of a sad topic while laughing exemplifies inappropriate affect. Autism is characterized by having little concern for external reality. Ambivalence is the simultaneous presence of opposite emotions. Associative looseness is characterized by stringing unrelated topics together.

 

DIF:    Cognitive level: Applying                REF:   p. 252

TOP:   Nursing process: Implementation     MSC:  NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity

 

2. How long must the symptoms of schizophrenia be present before a diagnosis can be made?

a.	At least 6 months
b.	At least 1 month
c.	More than 1 week
d.	On at least three occasions in the past year

 

 

ANS:  A

To meet diagnostic criteria, signs of schizophrenia must be continuously present for a minimum of 6 months and not caused by substance abuse or a medical disorder.

 

DIF:    Cognitive level: Understanding        REF:   p. 249

TOP:   Nursing process: Assessment           MSC:  NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity

 

3. A patient displays disorganized speech and behavior as well as a flat affect. The patient prefers to sit alone and often appears to be listening and responding to unseen stimuli. To begin a therapeutic relationship, the nurse should:

a.	take the patient to a medication education class.
b.	offer a simple activity, and sit with the patient.
c.	ask the patient what the voices are saying.
d.	quietly watch television with the patient.

 

 

ANS:  B

For withdrawn patients, nurses should begin with undemanding one-to-one interactions. Providing a simple activity might help the patient focus on the here and now and provide a basis for reality-oriented communication. Watching television together does nothing to build trust. Medication education might be of little benefit if the patient is hallucinating and unable to pay attention to what is being taught. Asking what the voices are saying time after time is not beneficial to the patient, who needs to be distracted from them and focus on the real world.

 

DIF:    Cognitive level: Applying                REF:   p. 256

TOP:   Nursing process: Implementation     MSC:  NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity

 

4. Parents of a 17-year-old patient diagnosed with schizophrenia ask the nurse what the future will be like for their child. The nurse’s answer should be based on knowledge that the usual course of illness is:

a.	a steady lessening of symptoms until stability is achieved.
b.	characterized by alternating acute and stable phases.
c.	totally different for each individual patient.
d.	progressive deterioration.

 

 

ANS:  B

Most patients with schizophrenia experience alternating acute and stable phases throughout life. Complete and permanent remission is rare. The course of the illness might be somewhat different from individual to individual, but the alternating phases are seen more often than any other course.

 

DIF:    Cognitive level: Applying                REF:   p. 248

TOP:   Nursing process: Implementation     MSC:  NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity