PSYCHIATRIC NURSING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2
What is meant by "positive symptoms" of schizophrenia?
an exaggeration or distortion of normal function; usually responsive to all categories of
antipsychotic drugs
What is meant by "negative symptoms" of schizophrenia?
a diminution or loss of normal function; usually unresponsive to traditional antipsychotics and
more response to atypical antipsychotics
Name six positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
delusions, hallucinations, thought disorder, disorganized speech, bizarre behavior, inappropriate
affect
Name five negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
affective flattening (limited range and intensity of emotional expression), alogia (restricted
thought and speech), avolition/apathy (lack of initiation of goal-directed behavior),
anhedonia/asociality (inability to experience pleasure or maintain social contacts), attentional
deficit
What is alogia?
restricted thought and speech
What is anhedonia?
inability to experience pleasure or maintain social contacts
What is avolition?
lack of initiation of goal-directed behavior
What is the incidence of schizophrenia in the United States?
1 in every 100 people has schizophrenia, or 2.5 million in the United States, regardless of race,
ethnic group, or gender
Name four categories of treatment for individuals with schizophrenia.
hospitalization, medication, psychosocial interventions (behavior therapy, behavior skills and
social skills training, group therapy, family oriented therapy and support), assisted living
arrangements/community support structure
Name four NANDA-I diagnosis stems for individuals with schizophrenia.
, impaired verbal communication, disturbed sensory perception, impaired social interaction,
disturbed thought processes
What is psychosis?
delusions or those hallucinations without insight (i.e., the person believes that they are reality)
What is the goal of nursing care for a patient experiencing psychosis?
to help the patient recognize the psychosis and develop strategies to manage the symptoms and
achieve recovery
What are the maladaptive responses or symptoms of psychosis? (6)
thought disorder/delusions, hallucinations, difficulty processing emotions, disorganized behavior,
social isolation
How would you describe a patient to a healthcare team member that said Justin Bieber
reciprocates her romantic feelings?
delusional
A patient tells you that the three men (that he has never meet) who are laughing on the side
of the street are taunting him. How would you describe this in report to another nurse?
inferential thinking secondary to schizophrenia
Why might a schizophrenic be unable to answer a simple questions such as "how are you
doing today?"
he/she is experiencing disorder thought processes
One of your patients no longer demonstrating pleasure. He refuses his favorite sandwich
and never laughs at the other patient's jokes. How would you describe this patient in
report?
anhedonic
Is there a single symptom that indicates the pathognomics of schizophrenia?
no
How might a psychiatrist diagnose schizophrenia?
by recognizing a constellation of signs and symptoms associated with impaired occupational and
social functioning
A patient with schizophrenia perceives a nearby tree morphing into a scary monster. Is is
an example of what kind of symptom?
What is meant by "positive symptoms" of schizophrenia?
an exaggeration or distortion of normal function; usually responsive to all categories of
antipsychotic drugs
What is meant by "negative symptoms" of schizophrenia?
a diminution or loss of normal function; usually unresponsive to traditional antipsychotics and
more response to atypical antipsychotics
Name six positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
delusions, hallucinations, thought disorder, disorganized speech, bizarre behavior, inappropriate
affect
Name five negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
affective flattening (limited range and intensity of emotional expression), alogia (restricted
thought and speech), avolition/apathy (lack of initiation of goal-directed behavior),
anhedonia/asociality (inability to experience pleasure or maintain social contacts), attentional
deficit
What is alogia?
restricted thought and speech
What is anhedonia?
inability to experience pleasure or maintain social contacts
What is avolition?
lack of initiation of goal-directed behavior
What is the incidence of schizophrenia in the United States?
1 in every 100 people has schizophrenia, or 2.5 million in the United States, regardless of race,
ethnic group, or gender
Name four categories of treatment for individuals with schizophrenia.
hospitalization, medication, psychosocial interventions (behavior therapy, behavior skills and
social skills training, group therapy, family oriented therapy and support), assisted living
arrangements/community support structure
Name four NANDA-I diagnosis stems for individuals with schizophrenia.
, impaired verbal communication, disturbed sensory perception, impaired social interaction,
disturbed thought processes
What is psychosis?
delusions or those hallucinations without insight (i.e., the person believes that they are reality)
What is the goal of nursing care for a patient experiencing psychosis?
to help the patient recognize the psychosis and develop strategies to manage the symptoms and
achieve recovery
What are the maladaptive responses or symptoms of psychosis? (6)
thought disorder/delusions, hallucinations, difficulty processing emotions, disorganized behavior,
social isolation
How would you describe a patient to a healthcare team member that said Justin Bieber
reciprocates her romantic feelings?
delusional
A patient tells you that the three men (that he has never meet) who are laughing on the side
of the street are taunting him. How would you describe this in report to another nurse?
inferential thinking secondary to schizophrenia
Why might a schizophrenic be unable to answer a simple questions such as "how are you
doing today?"
he/she is experiencing disorder thought processes
One of your patients no longer demonstrating pleasure. He refuses his favorite sandwich
and never laughs at the other patient's jokes. How would you describe this patient in
report?
anhedonic
Is there a single symptom that indicates the pathognomics of schizophrenia?
no
How might a psychiatrist diagnose schizophrenia?
by recognizing a constellation of signs and symptoms associated with impaired occupational and
social functioning
A patient with schizophrenia perceives a nearby tree morphing into a scary monster. Is is
an example of what kind of symptom?
