Chapter 16: Schizophrenia || All Answers are Valid.
1. The most commonly supported neuroanatomic theory of schizophrenia suggests which
etiology?
A) Excessive amounts of dopamine and serotonin in the brain
B) Ineffective ability of the brain to use dopamine and serotonin
C) Insufficient amounts of dopamine in the brain
D) Decreased brain tissue in the frontal and temporal regions of the brain correct answers Ans: D
Feedback:
Decreased brain tissue in the frontal and temporal regions of the brain is the most commonly
supported neuroanatomic theory that suggests the etiology of schizophrenia. The other theories
are neurochemical.
2. The nurse reviews current literature and identifies that which of the following are included in
current studies of biologic theories regarding the etiology of schizophrenia? Select all that apply.
A) That there is a particular pathologic structure associated with the disease.
B) That genetics is the cause of schizophrenia.
C) Persons with schizophrenia have decreased brain volume and abnormal brain
function in the frontal and temporal areas of persons with schizophrenia.
D) The brain activity of persons with schizophrenia differs from people who do not
have schizophrenia.
E) That the etiology of schizophrenia may be related to the body's response to
exposure of a virus. correct answers Ans: B, C, D, E
Feedback:
In the first half of the 20th century, studies focused on trying to find a particular pathologic
structure associated with the disease, largely through autopsy. Such a site was not discovered.
The biologic theories of schizophrenia focus on genetic factors, neuroanatomic and
neurochemical factors (structure and function of the brain), and immunovirology (the body's
response to exposure to a virus).
,3. The student nurse correctly recognizes that which one of the following findings is best
supported by genetic studies in the etiology of schizophrenia?
A) If a person has schizophrenia, distant relatives are also at risk.
B) That there is no relationship at all between schizophrenia and genetics.
C) That there is a weak correlation between genetics and schizophrenia.
D) That schizophrenia is at least partially inherited. correct answers Ans: D Feedback:
The most important studies have centered on twins; these findings have demonstrated that if one
identical twin has schizophrenia, the other twin has a 50% chance of developing it as well.
Fraternal twins have only a 15% risk. This finding indicates that schizophrenia is at least
partially inherited.
4. The nurse is assessing for negative symptoms of schizophrenia in a newly admitted client. The
nurse would note which behavior as indicative of a negative symptom?
A) Difficulty staying on subject when responding to assessment questions
B) Belief of owning a transportation device allowing for travel to the center of the
Earth
C) Hesitant to answer the nurse's questions during the assessment interview
D) Mimicking the postural changes made by the nurse during the assessment
interview correct answers Ans: C
Feedback:
A negative symptom of schizophrenia is alogia, or the tendency to speak very little or to convey
little substance of meaning (poverty of content). Associative looseness (fragmented or poorly
related thoughts and ideas), delusions (fixed false beliefs that have no basis in reality), and
echopraxia (imitation of the movements and gestures of another person whom the client is
observing) are all positive symptoms.
5. The client with schizophrenia believes the student nurses are there to spy on the clients. The
client is suffering from which of the following symptoms?
A) Hallucinations
B) Delusions
, C) Anhedonia
D) Ideas of reference correct answers Ans: B
Feedback:
Delusions are fixed false beliefs that have no basis in reality. Hallucinations are false sensory
perceptions or perceptual experiences that do not exist in reality. Ideas of reference are false
impressions that external events have special meaning for the person. Anhedonia is feeling no
joy or pleasure from life or any activities or relationships.
6. The client with schizophrenia makes the following statement, ìI just don't know how to count.
The sky turned to fire. I have a ball in my head.î The nurse documents this entire statement as an
example of
A) flight of ideas.
B) ideas of reference.
C) delusional thinking.
D) associative looseness. correct answers Ans: D
Feedback:
Associative looseness is demonstrated through fragmented or poorly related thoughts and ideas.
The series of disconnected thoughts best exemplifies this concept. Some of the statements
contain delusions, or fixed false beliefs that have no basis in reality. Flight of ideas refers to
rapidly flowing thoughts that are more connected than the client's statement. Ideas of reference
are false impressions that external events have special meaning for the person.
7. A person suffering from schizophrenia has little emotional expression when interacting with
others. The nurse would document the client's affect as which of the following? Select all that
apply.
A) Flat
B) Blunt
C) Bright
D) Inappropriate
E) Pleasant correct answers Ans: A, B
Feedback:
1. The most commonly supported neuroanatomic theory of schizophrenia suggests which
etiology?
A) Excessive amounts of dopamine and serotonin in the brain
B) Ineffective ability of the brain to use dopamine and serotonin
C) Insufficient amounts of dopamine in the brain
D) Decreased brain tissue in the frontal and temporal regions of the brain correct answers Ans: D
Feedback:
Decreased brain tissue in the frontal and temporal regions of the brain is the most commonly
supported neuroanatomic theory that suggests the etiology of schizophrenia. The other theories
are neurochemical.
2. The nurse reviews current literature and identifies that which of the following are included in
current studies of biologic theories regarding the etiology of schizophrenia? Select all that apply.
A) That there is a particular pathologic structure associated with the disease.
B) That genetics is the cause of schizophrenia.
C) Persons with schizophrenia have decreased brain volume and abnormal brain
function in the frontal and temporal areas of persons with schizophrenia.
D) The brain activity of persons with schizophrenia differs from people who do not
have schizophrenia.
E) That the etiology of schizophrenia may be related to the body's response to
exposure of a virus. correct answers Ans: B, C, D, E
Feedback:
In the first half of the 20th century, studies focused on trying to find a particular pathologic
structure associated with the disease, largely through autopsy. Such a site was not discovered.
The biologic theories of schizophrenia focus on genetic factors, neuroanatomic and
neurochemical factors (structure and function of the brain), and immunovirology (the body's
response to exposure to a virus).
,3. The student nurse correctly recognizes that which one of the following findings is best
supported by genetic studies in the etiology of schizophrenia?
A) If a person has schizophrenia, distant relatives are also at risk.
B) That there is no relationship at all between schizophrenia and genetics.
C) That there is a weak correlation between genetics and schizophrenia.
D) That schizophrenia is at least partially inherited. correct answers Ans: D Feedback:
The most important studies have centered on twins; these findings have demonstrated that if one
identical twin has schizophrenia, the other twin has a 50% chance of developing it as well.
Fraternal twins have only a 15% risk. This finding indicates that schizophrenia is at least
partially inherited.
4. The nurse is assessing for negative symptoms of schizophrenia in a newly admitted client. The
nurse would note which behavior as indicative of a negative symptom?
A) Difficulty staying on subject when responding to assessment questions
B) Belief of owning a transportation device allowing for travel to the center of the
Earth
C) Hesitant to answer the nurse's questions during the assessment interview
D) Mimicking the postural changes made by the nurse during the assessment
interview correct answers Ans: C
Feedback:
A negative symptom of schizophrenia is alogia, or the tendency to speak very little or to convey
little substance of meaning (poverty of content). Associative looseness (fragmented or poorly
related thoughts and ideas), delusions (fixed false beliefs that have no basis in reality), and
echopraxia (imitation of the movements and gestures of another person whom the client is
observing) are all positive symptoms.
5. The client with schizophrenia believes the student nurses are there to spy on the clients. The
client is suffering from which of the following symptoms?
A) Hallucinations
B) Delusions
, C) Anhedonia
D) Ideas of reference correct answers Ans: B
Feedback:
Delusions are fixed false beliefs that have no basis in reality. Hallucinations are false sensory
perceptions or perceptual experiences that do not exist in reality. Ideas of reference are false
impressions that external events have special meaning for the person. Anhedonia is feeling no
joy or pleasure from life or any activities or relationships.
6. The client with schizophrenia makes the following statement, ìI just don't know how to count.
The sky turned to fire. I have a ball in my head.î The nurse documents this entire statement as an
example of
A) flight of ideas.
B) ideas of reference.
C) delusional thinking.
D) associative looseness. correct answers Ans: D
Feedback:
Associative looseness is demonstrated through fragmented or poorly related thoughts and ideas.
The series of disconnected thoughts best exemplifies this concept. Some of the statements
contain delusions, or fixed false beliefs that have no basis in reality. Flight of ideas refers to
rapidly flowing thoughts that are more connected than the client's statement. Ideas of reference
are false impressions that external events have special meaning for the person.
7. A person suffering from schizophrenia has little emotional expression when interacting with
others. The nurse would document the client's affect as which of the following? Select all that
apply.
A) Flat
B) Blunt
C) Bright
D) Inappropriate
E) Pleasant correct answers Ans: A, B
Feedback:
