NURSING 101Chapter 19: Neurobiology of Schizophrenia, Mood Disorders, and Anxiety Disorders

Which would be considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia? a. Blunted affect c. Poverty of speech b. Auditory hallucinations d. Lack of social interaction ANS: B Positive symptoms frequently occur during a psychotic episode, when an individual loses touch with reality and experiences something that should be absent (e.g., hallucinations). The remaining options are classified as negative symptoms. PTS: 1 REF: Pages 644-646 2. The onset of schizophrenia can be triggered by which prenatal occurrence? a. Viral infection c. Maternal smoking b. Maternal depression d. Exposure to toxic waste ANS: A A leading hypothesis for the cause of schizophrenia suggests that the illness results from neurodevelopmental defects that occur in fetal life. Several early environmental factors have been suggested to increase the risk of developing schizophrenia, including viral infection during pregnancy, prenatal nutritional deficiencies, and perinatal complications, such as birth defects and neonatal hypoxia. No current research supports the theory that any of the other options are prenatal triggers of schizophrenia. PTS: 1 REF: Page 642 3. Which neurotransmitter is reduced in people with schizophrenia? a. Dopamine c. Acetylcholine b. Gamma-aminobutyric acid d. Serotonin ANS: B In the dorsal prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic brains, glutamic acid decarboxylase, the major enzyme in gamma-aminobutyric acid GABA biosynthesis, is diminished, which likely impairs synaptic performance and cognitive and behavioral functions associated with this brain region. The other neurotransmitters mentioned in the option choices are not related to the presentation of schizophrenia.