NR 507 Edapt Week 5: Understanding Schizophrenia and Its
Phases | Actual Questions and Answers Latest Updated
2025/2026
NR 507 Edapt Week 5 Schizophrenia, Ch 19, Pg 618
Untreated schizophrenia presents the inability to connect with a client’s surrounding environment,
usually due to hallucinations or delusions.
Significant complaints of anhedonia are more likely with major depressive or bipolar disorder.
Excessive energy describes a mania in someone with bipolar disorder. Intense fear that produces
sympathetic nervous system symptoms is usually caused by a panic disorder.
, Dysregulation of dopamine and glutamate are contributors to the clinical manifestations experienced
by someone with schizophrenia.
Acetylcholine dysregulation is seen in conditions like dementia. Serotonin and norepinephrine
dysregulation are seen in conditions like depression and other mood disorders.
Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a complex, chronic mental disorder characterized by an array of symptoms,
including delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and impaired cognitive function.
The exact pathophysiology remains unclear but likely involves a combination of genetic, chemical,
and environmental factors.
An imbalance of the neurotransmitter dopamine in different areas of the brain is believed to
cause many of the symptoms of schizophrenia. Structural brain abnormalities, including
changes in the volume of certain brain regions and altered neural connectivity, are also observed
in studies.
Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter and plays a major role in the regulation of
behavior, mood, motivation, and motor control. Of the five types of dopamine receptors, the
D1 family (D1 and D5) are located in the frontal cortex, caudate, putamen, and nucleus
accumbens. The D2 family (D2, D3, and D4) are primarily located in the basal ganglia,
hippocampus, thalamus, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex.
Another neurotransmitter that plays a role in schizophrenia is glutamate. Studies have found
lower levels of glutamate in the cerebral spinal fluid and other areas of the brain in people with
schizophrenia. Drugs that block glutamate activity, like ketamine, can cause symptoms like
schizophrenia in people who do not have the illness.
Schizophrenia Risk Factors
The etiology of schizophrenia is multifactorial and may involve both genetic and environmental
influences. A family history of schizophrenia significantly increases the risk of symptom onset,
indicating a genetic component. Environmental factors during pregnancy, such as maternal
infections, malnutrition, or stress, also add additional risk. Other factors include advanced paternal
age at the time of conception, childhood trauma, and substance abuse (e.g., cannabis), especially
during adolescence.
Social determinants of health (SDOH) may play a role in the development of this condition. For
example, clients of lower socioeconomic status or those forced to live in areas of high chemical
contamination or food deserts are more likely to experience or have children who experience
schizophrenia.
Phases | Actual Questions and Answers Latest Updated
2025/2026
NR 507 Edapt Week 5 Schizophrenia, Ch 19, Pg 618
Untreated schizophrenia presents the inability to connect with a client’s surrounding environment,
usually due to hallucinations or delusions.
Significant complaints of anhedonia are more likely with major depressive or bipolar disorder.
Excessive energy describes a mania in someone with bipolar disorder. Intense fear that produces
sympathetic nervous system symptoms is usually caused by a panic disorder.
, Dysregulation of dopamine and glutamate are contributors to the clinical manifestations experienced
by someone with schizophrenia.
Acetylcholine dysregulation is seen in conditions like dementia. Serotonin and norepinephrine
dysregulation are seen in conditions like depression and other mood disorders.
Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a complex, chronic mental disorder characterized by an array of symptoms,
including delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and impaired cognitive function.
The exact pathophysiology remains unclear but likely involves a combination of genetic, chemical,
and environmental factors.
An imbalance of the neurotransmitter dopamine in different areas of the brain is believed to
cause many of the symptoms of schizophrenia. Structural brain abnormalities, including
changes in the volume of certain brain regions and altered neural connectivity, are also observed
in studies.
Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter and plays a major role in the regulation of
behavior, mood, motivation, and motor control. Of the five types of dopamine receptors, the
D1 family (D1 and D5) are located in the frontal cortex, caudate, putamen, and nucleus
accumbens. The D2 family (D2, D3, and D4) are primarily located in the basal ganglia,
hippocampus, thalamus, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex.
Another neurotransmitter that plays a role in schizophrenia is glutamate. Studies have found
lower levels of glutamate in the cerebral spinal fluid and other areas of the brain in people with
schizophrenia. Drugs that block glutamate activity, like ketamine, can cause symptoms like
schizophrenia in people who do not have the illness.
Schizophrenia Risk Factors
The etiology of schizophrenia is multifactorial and may involve both genetic and environmental
influences. A family history of schizophrenia significantly increases the risk of symptom onset,
indicating a genetic component. Environmental factors during pregnancy, such as maternal
infections, malnutrition, or stress, also add additional risk. Other factors include advanced paternal
age at the time of conception, childhood trauma, and substance abuse (e.g., cannabis), especially
during adolescence.
Social determinants of health (SDOH) may play a role in the development of this condition. For
example, clients of lower socioeconomic status or those forced to live in areas of high chemical
contamination or food deserts are more likely to experience or have children who experience
schizophrenia.
