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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A nursing instructor is preparing a class lecture about schizophrenia and outcomes focusing on recovery. Which of the following would the instructor include as a major goal?
- A. Continuity of care
- B. Shorter in-patient stays
- C. Immediate crisis stabilization
- D. Social engagement
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Social engagement (D) is a major recovery goal in schizophrenia, promoting reintegration and quality of life. Continuity of care (A) and crisis stabilization (C) are means to achieve recovery, and shorter stays (B) are logistical, not primary goals.
The nurse is preparing to interview a client who has a delusional disorder. Which of the following would the nurse expect?
- A. Cognitive impairment
- B. Normal behavior
- C. Labile affect
- D. Evidence of motor symptoms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clients with delusional disorder typically exhibit normal behavior (B) outside their specific delusions, with intact cognition and affect. Cognitive impairment (A), labile affect (C), and motor symptoms (D) are more characteristic of other psychotic disorders like schizophrenia.
The nurse is caring for a client in an inpatient mental health setting. The nurse notices that when the client is conversing with other clients, he repeats what they are saying word for word. The nurse interprets this finding and documents it as which of the following?
- A. Echopraxia
- B. Neologisms
- C. Tangentiality
- D. Echolalia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Echolalia (D) is the correct term for the client?s behavior of repeating others? words verbatim, a common symptom in schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders, reflecting impaired communication processing. Echopraxia (A) involves mimicking movements, not speech. Neologisms (B) are made-up words, and tangentiality (C) refers to responses that veer off-topic, neither of which apply here.
A client with schizoaffective disorder is having difficulty adhering to the medication regimen that requires the use of several agents. The client also is experiencing several side effects contributing to this nonadherence. The physician plans to change the client?s medication. Which agent would the nurse anticipate that the physician would prescribe?
- A. Lithium
- B. Aripiprazole
- C. Clozapine
- D. Olanzapine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aripiprazole (B) is a second-generation antipsychotic with a favorable side effect profile and efficacy for schizoaffective disorder, improving adherence. Lithium (A) is for mood stabilization, clozapine (C) is for treatment-resistant cases, and olanzapine (D) has more side effects.
The nurse is caring for an elderly client who has been taking an antipsychotic medication for 1 week. The nurse notifies the physician when he observes that the client has muscle rigidity that resembles Parkinson?s disease. Which agent would the nurse expect the physician to prescribe?
- A. Anticholinergic
- B. Anxiolytic
- C. Benzodiazepine
- D. Beta-blocker
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Anticholinergic agents (A), such as benztropine, are used to treat extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) like parkinsonian muscle rigidity caused by antipsychotics, by balancing acetylcholine and dopamine. Anxiolytics (B) and benzodiazepines (C) address anxiety, not EPS, and beta-blockers (D) treat akathisia or other symptoms, not rigidity.
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