Psychiatric Medications Q 10

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In recognizing common behaviors exhibited by a male client who has a diagnosis of schizophrenia, nurse Josie can anticipate:

  

     A. Slumped posture, pessimistic outlook, and flight of ideas

     B. Grandiosity, arrogance, and distractibility

     C. Withdrawal, regressed behavior, and lack of social skills

     D. Disorientation, forgetfulness, and anxiety

    

    

Correct Answer: C. Withdrawal, regressed behavior, and lack of social skills

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These are the classic behaviors exhibited by clients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Traditionally, symptoms have divided into two main categories: positive symptoms which include hallucinations, delusions, and formal thought disorders, and negative symptoms such as anhedonia, poverty of speech, and lack of motivation.

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Option A: Negative symptoms refer to reduced or lack of ability to function normally. For example, the person may neglect personal hygiene or appear to lack emotion (doesn’t make eye contact, doesn’t change facial expressions, or speaks in a monotone). Also, the person may lose interest in everyday activities, socially withdraw or lack the ability to experience pleasure.

Option B: Delusions are false beliefs that are not based in reality. For example, you think that you’re being harmed or harassed; certain gestures or comments are directed at you; you have exceptional ability or fame; another person is in love with you, or a major catastrophe is about to occur. Delusions occur in most people with schizophrenia.

Option D: Disorganized thinking is inferred from disorganized speech. Effective communication can be impaired, and answers to questions may be partially or completely unrelated. Rarely, speech may include putting together meaningless words that can’t be understood, sometimes known as word salad.

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