The emergency department note states, 'This patient displays positive symptoms of schizophrenia as evidenced by psychotic disorders of thinking.' The nurse can expect the patient to evidence:

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Age Specific Patient Care Quizlet Questions

Question 1 of 5

The emergency department note states, 'This patient displays positive symptoms of schizophrenia as evidenced by psychotic disorders of thinking.' The nurse can expect the patient to evidence:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: delusions and hallucinations. Positive symptoms of schizophrenia include hallucinations (perceiving things that are not present) and delusions (false beliefs). In this case, the patient displaying psychotic disorders of thinking aligns with positive symptoms. Delusions are fixed false beliefs, while hallucinations involve sensory experiences without external stimuli. Choices B, C, and D involve different symptoms such as motor abnormalities (grimacing and mannerisms), echopraxia and echolalia (mimicking movements and repeating words), and negative symptoms (avolition and anhedonia - lack of motivation and pleasure), which are not specifically related to psychotic disorders of thinking in schizophrenia.

Question 2 of 5

The onset of schizophrenia most commonly occurs during the decade of age in the:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B (20s) because research shows that the peak onset of schizophrenia is typically during late adolescence to early adulthood, which aligns with the age range of the 20s. During this period, the brain undergoes significant developmental changes, making individuals more vulnerable to developing schizophrenia. Choices A (Teens), C (30s), and D (40s) are incorrect because while schizophrenia can develop at any age, the majority of cases emerge during the 20s. Schizophrenia rarely starts in the teenage years (A), and onset in the 30s (C) or 40s (D) is less common compared to the 20s.

Question 3 of 5

A patient whose boyfriend raped her during an argument tells the nurse, 'It's no use reporting it. No one will ever believe me, because everyone knows I've been sexually intimate with him many times before.' Which response by the nurse would have the greatest therapeutic value initially?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer D: 1. Acknowledges the patient's agency and emphasizes consent. 2. Validates the patient's experience and emphasizes boundaries. 3. Encourages the patient to prioritize her safety and well-being. 4. Addresses the need for intervention and prevention of future harm. Summary: A: Does not address the issue of consent or the need for intervention. B: Shifts focus from perpetrator to victim, potentially placing blame. C: Focuses on legal action without addressing the patient's emotional needs. D: Empowers the patient, emphasizes consent, and prioritizes safety and prevention.

Question 4 of 5

A child, aged 11 years, stays home from school to care for his siblings while his mother works, because the family cannot afford a babysitter. The home is cluttered and dirty when the community mental health nurse visits to investigate the child's school absences. When the parents arrive home from work, the child's father behaves angrily. He orders his wife and son about. He finds fault with the son, asking him twice, 'Why are you such a stupid kid?' The wife tells the nurse she has difficulty disciplining the children and gets frustrated easily. The nurse desires to build some trust and continue to gather assessment data. The remark or question that would interfere with the nurse's goals is:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Asking about physical abuse can be perceived as accusatory, defensive, or judgmental, hindering trust-building and data collection. It may lead to denial or termination of communication. Choices A and B are relevant to understanding parenting skills, while C shows empathy. These questions align with the nurse's goal of assessing the family's dynamics without inciting defensiveness or shutting down communication.

Question 5 of 5

A 19-year-old client is admitted for the second time in 9 months and is acutely psychotic with a diagnosis of undifferentiated schizophrenia. The client sits alone rubbing her arms and smiling. She tells the nurse her thoughts cause earthquakes and that the world is burning. The nurse assesses the primary deficit associated with the client's condition as:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Disturbed thinking. In this scenario, the client's belief that her thoughts cause earthquakes and the world is burning are examples of delusions, which are a key symptom of schizophrenia. This demonstrates a disturbance in the client's thought process, indicating a primary deficit in thinking. Altered mood states (A) may be present as well but are not the primary deficit in this case. Social isolation (C) is a consequence of the client's symptoms rather than the primary deficit. Poor impulse control (D) is not the primary issue presented in the scenario.

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