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A nursing instructor is developing a class lecture that compares and contrasts schizoaffective disorder with schizophrenia. When describing one of the differences between these two diagnoses, which of the following would the instructor include as reflecting schizoaffective disorder?
- A. It is episodic in nature.
- B. It involves difficulties with self-care.
- C. It has less severe hallucinations.
- D. It is associated with a lower suicide risk.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Schizoaffective disorder (A) is characterized by episodic mood disturbances (depressive or manic) alongside psychotic symptoms, unlike the more persistent psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia. Self-care difficulties (B) and hallucination severity (C) are not distinguishing features, and suicide risk (D) is not necessarily lower.
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The nurse is caring for a client who was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. Based on the nurse?s understanding of this disorder, the nurse develops a plan of care to address which issue as the top priority?
- A. Suicide
- B. Aggression
- C. Substance abuse
- D. Eating disorder
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Suicide (A) is the top priority in schizoaffective disorder due to the combined risk of mood disturbances (e.g., depression) and psychosis, both of which elevate suicide risk. Aggression (B), substance abuse (C), and eating disorders (D) are concerns but less immediate unless actively present.
A nurse is working with a group of clients diagnosed with schizophrenia in a community setting. Which of the following would least likely be a priority?
- A. Improving the quality of life
- B. Instilling hope
- C. Managing psychosis
- D. Preventing relapse
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: While improving quality of life (A) is important, managing psychosis (C), preventing relapse (D), and instilling hope (B) are more immediate priorities in schizophrenia care to stabilize symptoms and maintain recovery. Quality of life is a longer-term goal.
A client who has a major depressive episode tells the nurse that for the past 2 weeks, he has been hearing voices and at times thinks that someone is following him. History reveals that he had these alternating symptoms before along with times when he has experienced neither of these symptoms and has been able to function adequately. The nurse interprets these findings as suggesting which of the following?
- A. Paranoid schizophrenia
- B. Undifferentiated schizophrenia
- C. Brief psychotic disorder
- D. Schizoaffective disorder
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Schizoaffective disorder (D) combines mood episodes (depression) with psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, paranoia) that persist but allow periods of adequate functioning, matching the client?s history. Paranoid (A) and undifferentiated schizophrenia (B) lack prominent mood components, and brief psychotic disorder (C) is shorter in duration.
After teaching a class on antipsychotic agents, the instructor determines that the teaching was successful when the class identifies which of the following as an example of a second-generation antipsychotic agent?
- A. Fluphenazine (Prolixin)
- B. Thiothixene (Navane)
- C. Quetiapine (Seroquel)
- D. Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Quetiapine (C) is a second-generation (atypical) antipsychotic, effective for schizophrenia with fewer extrapyramidal side effects. Fluphenazine (A), thiothixene (B), and chlorpromazine (D) are first-generation (typical) antipsychotics, associated with higher side effect risks.
After assessing a client with schizophrenia, the nurse suspects that the client is experiencing an anticholinergic crisis. Which of the following would the nurse most likely have assessed? Select all that apply.
- A. Dilated reactive pupils
- B. Blurred vision
- C. Ataxia
- D. Coherent speech
- E. Facial pallor
- F. Disorientation
Correct Answer: B,C,F
Rationale: Anticholinergic crisis symptoms include blurred vision (B), ataxia (C), and disorientation (F) due to excessive anticholinergic effects (e.g., from medications). Dilated pupils (A) may occur but are less specific, coherent speech (D) is unlikely, and facial pallor (E) is not typical.