NUR 145 Pharmacology Ch. 18
(Psychosis) Review Questions and
Correct Answers
Psychosis ✅No exact definition; term used as a clinical descriptor applied to someone
who is out of touch with reality.
Characteristics of Psychosis ✅-Being out of touch with reality
-Perceptual deficits like hallucinations, delusions
-Deterioration in social functioning
Psychotic symptoms ✅-Can be associated with illnesses like dementia
-Common in mood disorders
-Can be caused by many drugs
May require several months of observation and testing before a final diagnosis is made.
Schizophrenia ✅is the most common psychotic disorder.
Psychotic disorders ✅are influenced by biologic, psychosocial, and environmental
circumstances.
Symptoms of Psychosis ✅Delusions
Hallucinations
Disorganized thinking
Disorganized behavior
Changes in affect
A patient states that voices are telling her she is evil and that she should leave the
hospital. From which condition is the patient suffering?
A. Delusions
B. Hallucinations
C. Disorganized thinking
D. Change in affect ✅Answer: B
Rationale: Hallucinations are false sensory perceptions, without an external stimulus. It
seems real to the patient.
Delusion ✅is a false or irrational belief that is firmly held despite obvious evidence to
the contrary.
, Hallucinations ✅are false sensory perceptions that are experienced without an
external stimulus & seem real to the patient.
Loosening of associations ✅or flight of ideas so that the speaker jumps from one idea
or topic to another unrelated on (derailment) in an illogical, inappropriate or
disorganized way.
Treatment of Psychosis ✅-Focus on decreasing symptoms that most interfere with
functioning
-Target symptoms are critical monitoring parameters used to assess clinical status and
response to drug therapy
-Consider both drug and nondrug therapies
-Determine baseline level of functioning
-Define treatment goals in terms of decreasing the severity of target symptoms
Long-term outcome is much better with combination treatment.
Most patients have recurring symptoms for most of their lives.
Drug Therapy for psychosis ✅Antipsychotic (neuroleptic) agents classified as:
-Phenothiazines and nonphenothiazines
-Low potency and high potency—refer to the milligram
dose
-Typical or atypical—refers to first- and second-
generation agents
Antipsychotic Agents ✅Actions:
-Typical agents—block action of dopamine in the brain
-Atypical agents—block serotonin receptors in addition to
dopamine receptors
Uses:
-Treat psychoses associated with mental illnesses
(schizophrenia, mania, psychotic depression, psychotic
organic brain syndrome)
2 types of Antipsychotic Agents: ✅Typical and Atypical:
Typical(1st-generation) examples:
-Phenothiazines
-Nonphenothiazines
-Thioxanthenes
Atypical (2nd-generation) examples:
-Aripiprazole (Abilify)
-Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
-Risperidone (Risperdal)
Atypical agents block dopamine and serotonin receptors; are more effective and have
fewer adverse effects than typical agents.
(Psychosis) Review Questions and
Correct Answers
Psychosis ✅No exact definition; term used as a clinical descriptor applied to someone
who is out of touch with reality.
Characteristics of Psychosis ✅-Being out of touch with reality
-Perceptual deficits like hallucinations, delusions
-Deterioration in social functioning
Psychotic symptoms ✅-Can be associated with illnesses like dementia
-Common in mood disorders
-Can be caused by many drugs
May require several months of observation and testing before a final diagnosis is made.
Schizophrenia ✅is the most common psychotic disorder.
Psychotic disorders ✅are influenced by biologic, psychosocial, and environmental
circumstances.
Symptoms of Psychosis ✅Delusions
Hallucinations
Disorganized thinking
Disorganized behavior
Changes in affect
A patient states that voices are telling her she is evil and that she should leave the
hospital. From which condition is the patient suffering?
A. Delusions
B. Hallucinations
C. Disorganized thinking
D. Change in affect ✅Answer: B
Rationale: Hallucinations are false sensory perceptions, without an external stimulus. It
seems real to the patient.
Delusion ✅is a false or irrational belief that is firmly held despite obvious evidence to
the contrary.
, Hallucinations ✅are false sensory perceptions that are experienced without an
external stimulus & seem real to the patient.
Loosening of associations ✅or flight of ideas so that the speaker jumps from one idea
or topic to another unrelated on (derailment) in an illogical, inappropriate or
disorganized way.
Treatment of Psychosis ✅-Focus on decreasing symptoms that most interfere with
functioning
-Target symptoms are critical monitoring parameters used to assess clinical status and
response to drug therapy
-Consider both drug and nondrug therapies
-Determine baseline level of functioning
-Define treatment goals in terms of decreasing the severity of target symptoms
Long-term outcome is much better with combination treatment.
Most patients have recurring symptoms for most of their lives.
Drug Therapy for psychosis ✅Antipsychotic (neuroleptic) agents classified as:
-Phenothiazines and nonphenothiazines
-Low potency and high potency—refer to the milligram
dose
-Typical or atypical—refers to first- and second-
generation agents
Antipsychotic Agents ✅Actions:
-Typical agents—block action of dopamine in the brain
-Atypical agents—block serotonin receptors in addition to
dopamine receptors
Uses:
-Treat psychoses associated with mental illnesses
(schizophrenia, mania, psychotic depression, psychotic
organic brain syndrome)
2 types of Antipsychotic Agents: ✅Typical and Atypical:
Typical(1st-generation) examples:
-Phenothiazines
-Nonphenothiazines
-Thioxanthenes
Atypical (2nd-generation) examples:
-Aripiprazole (Abilify)
-Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
-Risperidone (Risperdal)
Atypical agents block dopamine and serotonin receptors; are more effective and have
fewer adverse effects than typical agents.
