ATI
ATI MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
Schizophrenia Spectrum
Disorders & Psychosis
Final Exam Questions & Answers
Etiology • Clinical Presentation • Nursing Interventions • Pharmacology
Comprehensive Study Guide with Full Answer Key
Mental Health Nursing • DSM-5-TR • Psychosis • Antipsychotic Therapy
,ATI • Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders & Psychosis Page 1
Final Exam — Questions & Answers
SECTION 1: Overview of Schizophrenia & Psychosis
1 ___ is a severe mental illness that affects how a client experiences and interprets reality.
Answer: Schizophrenia
2 The schizophrenia spectrum includes:
Answer: Disorders that share the same positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms; the client's
specific disorder is based on how long the symptoms have been occurring and whether they occur
along with a mood disorder.
3 Since there is no cure for schizophrenia, treatment is focused on:
Answer: Managing symptoms and maintaining or improving daily functioning.
4 Are there any lab tests to determine if someone has schizophrenia?
Answer: NO. There are no lab tests that diagnose schizophrenia.
___ is a clinical manifestation rather than an illness or disorder; it involves a disconnection with
5
reality caused by disturbances in a client's thoughts and perceptions.
Answer: Psychosis
6 Psychosis is a common feature in which mental health disorders?
Answer: Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
7 Psychosis is evident in response to some medical conditions such as:
Answer: Alcohol withdrawal, Parkinson's disease, infections, and prescription drugs.
8 What are some factors that can cause psychosis?
Answer: Mental health conditions; genetics; substance use (cannabis, amphetamines); trauma (death
of a loved one, emotional abuse); physical illness or injury (stroke, Alzheimer's disease, or brain
tumor).
Mental Health Nursing • Final Exam Study Guide
, ATI • Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders & Psychosis Page 2
9 The onset of a psychotic-related disorder is usually:
Answer: Gradual, and may be difficult to distinguish from other experiences of adolescence.
10 When do patients with psychosis typically experience their first episode of psychosis?
Answer: During their late teens to mid-twenties.
11 What are the changes in physical and mental health seen in a person with psychosis?
Answer: Hallucinations; persistent troubling thoughts or beliefs; emotional changes (inappropriate or
no expression of emotions); withdrawal or isolation from friends and family; changes in cognition; lack
of self-care.
12 Hallucinations are defined as:
Answer: Experiences that involve feeling, seeing, or hearing things that others do not experience.
13 Delusions are defined as:
Answer: Fixed 'false beliefs.'
14 Treatment for psychosis for mental-health-related conditions such as schizophrenia includes:
Answer: Antipsychotic medications, psychotherapy, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), support, and
education for both the client and family.
15 What are the major characteristics of schizophrenia?
Answer: Hallucinations, delusions, disorganized behaviors, and abnormal behaviors.
SECTION 2: Risk Factors, Etiology & Brain Changes
16 What are the 4 schizophrenia spectrum disorders?
Answer: 1. Schizophrenia
2. Schizoaffective disorder
3. Schizophreniform disorder
4. Schizotypal personality disorder
Mental Health Nursing • Final Exam Study Guide
ATI MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
Schizophrenia Spectrum
Disorders & Psychosis
Final Exam Questions & Answers
Etiology • Clinical Presentation • Nursing Interventions • Pharmacology
Comprehensive Study Guide with Full Answer Key
Mental Health Nursing • DSM-5-TR • Psychosis • Antipsychotic Therapy
,ATI • Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders & Psychosis Page 1
Final Exam — Questions & Answers
SECTION 1: Overview of Schizophrenia & Psychosis
1 ___ is a severe mental illness that affects how a client experiences and interprets reality.
Answer: Schizophrenia
2 The schizophrenia spectrum includes:
Answer: Disorders that share the same positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms; the client's
specific disorder is based on how long the symptoms have been occurring and whether they occur
along with a mood disorder.
3 Since there is no cure for schizophrenia, treatment is focused on:
Answer: Managing symptoms and maintaining or improving daily functioning.
4 Are there any lab tests to determine if someone has schizophrenia?
Answer: NO. There are no lab tests that diagnose schizophrenia.
___ is a clinical manifestation rather than an illness or disorder; it involves a disconnection with
5
reality caused by disturbances in a client's thoughts and perceptions.
Answer: Psychosis
6 Psychosis is a common feature in which mental health disorders?
Answer: Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
7 Psychosis is evident in response to some medical conditions such as:
Answer: Alcohol withdrawal, Parkinson's disease, infections, and prescription drugs.
8 What are some factors that can cause psychosis?
Answer: Mental health conditions; genetics; substance use (cannabis, amphetamines); trauma (death
of a loved one, emotional abuse); physical illness or injury (stroke, Alzheimer's disease, or brain
tumor).
Mental Health Nursing • Final Exam Study Guide
, ATI • Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders & Psychosis Page 2
9 The onset of a psychotic-related disorder is usually:
Answer: Gradual, and may be difficult to distinguish from other experiences of adolescence.
10 When do patients with psychosis typically experience their first episode of psychosis?
Answer: During their late teens to mid-twenties.
11 What are the changes in physical and mental health seen in a person with psychosis?
Answer: Hallucinations; persistent troubling thoughts or beliefs; emotional changes (inappropriate or
no expression of emotions); withdrawal or isolation from friends and family; changes in cognition; lack
of self-care.
12 Hallucinations are defined as:
Answer: Experiences that involve feeling, seeing, or hearing things that others do not experience.
13 Delusions are defined as:
Answer: Fixed 'false beliefs.'
14 Treatment for psychosis for mental-health-related conditions such as schizophrenia includes:
Answer: Antipsychotic medications, psychotherapy, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), support, and
education for both the client and family.
15 What are the major characteristics of schizophrenia?
Answer: Hallucinations, delusions, disorganized behaviors, and abnormal behaviors.
SECTION 2: Risk Factors, Etiology & Brain Changes
16 What are the 4 schizophrenia spectrum disorders?
Answer: 1. Schizophrenia
2. Schizoaffective disorder
3. Schizophreniform disorder
4. Schizotypal personality disorder
Mental Health Nursing • Final Exam Study Guide
