Mental Health Nursing
Exam 3 – Boyd Psychiatric
Mental Health Nursing
Chapters 22-32 2026 |
Study Guide, Practice
Questions, Answers,
Rationales & Exam Review
Updated Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,Schizophrenia DSM-IV Criteria A. Characteristic Symptoms
Two or more in a month:
-Delusions
-Hallucinations
-Disorganized Speech
-Grossly Disorganized
-Negative Symptoms
B. Social/Occupational Dysfunction
C. Duration (At least 6 months with at least 1 month that meets criteria of A.)
schizophrenia DSM describes schizophrenia as a spectrum- "split mind"
probably caused by a combination of factors-
genetic predisposition
biochemical dysfunction
physiological factors
psychosocial stress
requires treatment that is comprehensive & presented in a multidisciplinary
effort such as pharmacotherapy & various forms of psychological care-
living skills
social skills therapy
rehabilitation
recovery
family therapy
of all mental illnesses, schizophrenia probably causes more-
lengthy hospitalizations
chaos in family life
exorbitant costs to people and governments
fears
risk for suicide is a major concern
1/3 of people with schizophrenia attempt suicide & about 1 in 10 die from the act
Schizophrenia Epidemiology Usually late teens-20s
More common in men
No racial/cultural difference
nature of schizophrenia psychosis- a severe mental condition in which there is a disorganization of the
personality
deterioration in social functioning
loss of contact with, or distortion of reality
there may be evidence of hallucinations & delusional thinking
causes disturbances in thought processes, perception & affect
there is a severe deterioration of social & occupational functioning
symptoms generally appear in late adolescence or early adulthood
symptoms may also occur in middle or late adult life
Schizophrenia Comorbidity Polydipsia, Substance abuse (esp. nicotine), Anxiety, Depression, Suicide, Physical
illness
,phase I premorbid phase
clear evidence of illness, distinctive personality traits or behaviors
social maladjustment
antagonistic thoughts & behavior
shy & withdrawn
poor peer relationships
doing poorly in school
antisocial behavior
Schizophrenia Genetics Runs in families; Cluster A PD in family
phase II prodromal phase
(average 2-5 years)
lasts from a few weeks to a few years, includes-
deterioration in role functioning & social withdrawal
substantial functional impairment
sleep disturbance
anxiety
irritability
depressed mood
poor concentration
fatigue
perceptual abnormalities
ideas of reference
suspiciousness
herald the onset of psychosis
Dopamine Theory When dopamine is controlled, helps with positive symptoms of Schizophrenia
phase III acute psychotic episode
chronic illness
characterized by acute episodes, symptoms are more pronounced
delusions
hallucinations
impairment in work, social relations & self-care
Positive Symptoms -Alterations in Thinking
-Alterations in Speech
-Alterations in Perception
-Alterations in Behavior
, phase IV residual phase
symptoms are similar to those of the prodromal phase
flat affect
impairment in role functioning are prominent
Alterations in Thinking -Delusions are false, fixed beliefs
-Concrete thinking (can't think abstractly)
-Ideas of reference (everything is related to them)
-Persecution
-Grandiosity
-Somatic Sensations
-Jealousy
-Though Broadcasting (TV, Radio)
-Thought Insertion/Withdrawal
-Delusions of being controlled
prognosis of schizophrenia return to full premorbid functioning is not common
factors associated with a positive prognosis-
good premorbid functioning
female gender
onset is at a later age
abrupt onset precipitated by a stressful event
brief duration of active-phase symptoms
absence of structural brain abnormalities
associated mood disturbance
family history of mood disorder
no family history of schizophrenia
Alterations in Speech -Neologisms (Made up words)
-Echolalia (Repeat what you say)
-Echopraxia (Repeat movements)
-Clang Associations
-Word Salad
genetic findings of schizophrenia a growing body of knowledge indicates that genetics play a role
an important role in the development of schizophrenia
Alterations in Perception -Depersonalization
-Derealization (Outer environment doesn't feel right)
-Hallucinations
-Boundary Impairment
Exam 3 – Boyd Psychiatric
Mental Health Nursing
Chapters 22-32 2026 |
Study Guide, Practice
Questions, Answers,
Rationales & Exam Review
Updated Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,Schizophrenia DSM-IV Criteria A. Characteristic Symptoms
Two or more in a month:
-Delusions
-Hallucinations
-Disorganized Speech
-Grossly Disorganized
-Negative Symptoms
B. Social/Occupational Dysfunction
C. Duration (At least 6 months with at least 1 month that meets criteria of A.)
schizophrenia DSM describes schizophrenia as a spectrum- "split mind"
probably caused by a combination of factors-
genetic predisposition
biochemical dysfunction
physiological factors
psychosocial stress
requires treatment that is comprehensive & presented in a multidisciplinary
effort such as pharmacotherapy & various forms of psychological care-
living skills
social skills therapy
rehabilitation
recovery
family therapy
of all mental illnesses, schizophrenia probably causes more-
lengthy hospitalizations
chaos in family life
exorbitant costs to people and governments
fears
risk for suicide is a major concern
1/3 of people with schizophrenia attempt suicide & about 1 in 10 die from the act
Schizophrenia Epidemiology Usually late teens-20s
More common in men
No racial/cultural difference
nature of schizophrenia psychosis- a severe mental condition in which there is a disorganization of the
personality
deterioration in social functioning
loss of contact with, or distortion of reality
there may be evidence of hallucinations & delusional thinking
causes disturbances in thought processes, perception & affect
there is a severe deterioration of social & occupational functioning
symptoms generally appear in late adolescence or early adulthood
symptoms may also occur in middle or late adult life
Schizophrenia Comorbidity Polydipsia, Substance abuse (esp. nicotine), Anxiety, Depression, Suicide, Physical
illness
,phase I premorbid phase
clear evidence of illness, distinctive personality traits or behaviors
social maladjustment
antagonistic thoughts & behavior
shy & withdrawn
poor peer relationships
doing poorly in school
antisocial behavior
Schizophrenia Genetics Runs in families; Cluster A PD in family
phase II prodromal phase
(average 2-5 years)
lasts from a few weeks to a few years, includes-
deterioration in role functioning & social withdrawal
substantial functional impairment
sleep disturbance
anxiety
irritability
depressed mood
poor concentration
fatigue
perceptual abnormalities
ideas of reference
suspiciousness
herald the onset of psychosis
Dopamine Theory When dopamine is controlled, helps with positive symptoms of Schizophrenia
phase III acute psychotic episode
chronic illness
characterized by acute episodes, symptoms are more pronounced
delusions
hallucinations
impairment in work, social relations & self-care
Positive Symptoms -Alterations in Thinking
-Alterations in Speech
-Alterations in Perception
-Alterations in Behavior
, phase IV residual phase
symptoms are similar to those of the prodromal phase
flat affect
impairment in role functioning are prominent
Alterations in Thinking -Delusions are false, fixed beliefs
-Concrete thinking (can't think abstractly)
-Ideas of reference (everything is related to them)
-Persecution
-Grandiosity
-Somatic Sensations
-Jealousy
-Though Broadcasting (TV, Radio)
-Thought Insertion/Withdrawal
-Delusions of being controlled
prognosis of schizophrenia return to full premorbid functioning is not common
factors associated with a positive prognosis-
good premorbid functioning
female gender
onset is at a later age
abrupt onset precipitated by a stressful event
brief duration of active-phase symptoms
absence of structural brain abnormalities
associated mood disturbance
family history of mood disorder
no family history of schizophrenia
Alterations in Speech -Neologisms (Made up words)
-Echolalia (Repeat what you say)
-Echopraxia (Repeat movements)
-Clang Associations
-Word Salad
genetic findings of schizophrenia a growing body of knowledge indicates that genetics play a role
an important role in the development of schizophrenia
Alterations in Perception -Depersonalization
-Derealization (Outer environment doesn't feel right)
-Hallucinations
-Boundary Impairment
