Understanding Schizophrenia: Key Concepts and Phases

These flashcards cover key concepts about schizophrenia, including genetic risk factors, environmental influences, phases, symptoms, and the role of education in treatment.

A nurse is providing education to a client concerned about their family history of schizophrenia. Which family relationship places an individual at the highest risk for developing the disorder?
A. A distant cousin
B. A grandparent
C. A first-degree relative
D. A second-degree relative

C. A first-degree relative

During a community health fair, a nurse is asked about the prevalence of schizophrenia. What is the approximate general population risk for developing schizophrenia?
A. 0.1%
B. 1%
C. 5%
D. 10%

B. 1%

A client has a parent diagnosed with schizophrenia. The client asks about their increased risk. The nurse should state the risk increases to approximately what percentage?
A. 2%
B. 5%
C. 10%
D. 25%

C. 10%

When discussing the genetic component of schizophrenia, a nurse explains the concordance rate in identical twins. What percentage range should the nurse identify?
A. 10% to 20%
B. 25% to 35%
C. 40% to 50%
D. 60% to 70%

C. 40% to 50%

A nurse is teaching a pregnant client about factors that could potentially increase the risk of schizophrenia in offspring. Which of the following is considered a prenatal risk factor?
A. Gestational diabetes
B. Mild morning sickness
C. Poor maternal nutrition
D. Paternal age over 40

C. Poor maternal nutrition

A nurse is educating a pregnant client about proper nutrition. The nurse emphasizes that folic acid is crucial during pregnancy for which of the following?
A. Development of strong bones in the fetus
B. Prevention of gestational hypertension
C. Development of the fetal neural tube and brain
D. Regulation of fetal blood sugar levels

C. Development of the fetal neural tube and brain

A client with a family history of schizophrenia asks about environmental triggers. The nurse should identify which of the following as psychological stressors that can contribute to the development of schizophrenia?
A. Daily routine tasks
B. Minor conflicts with friends
C. Cumulative stressors and significant life changes
D. Engaging in regular physical exercise

C. Cumulative stressors and significant life changes

A nurse is assessing a client with schizophrenia. The nurse observes the client exhibiting waxy flexibility and a lack of verbal response. This behavior is indicative of which symptom?
A. Delusions
B. Catatonia
C. Hallucinations
D. Disorganized speech

B. Catatonia

A client with schizophrenia reports 'hearing voices' and 'seeing shadows.' The nurse recognizes these as which common types of hallucinations?
A. Olfactory and tactile
B. Gustatory and somatic
C. Auditory and visual
D. Hypnagogic and hypnopompic

C. Auditory and visual

A client with schizophrenia expresses a strong belief that government agents are tapping their phone and monitoring their activities, despite evidence to the contrary. The nurse recognizes this as which symptom?
A. Illusion
B. Delusion
C. Hallucination
D. Disorientation

B. Delusion

The nurse is documenting a client's negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Which term refers to a lack of motivation to initiate or complete tasks?
A. Anhedonia
B. Alogia
C. Avolition
D. Affective flattening

C. Avolition

A nurse is conversing with a client diagnosed with schizophrenia. The client's speech is characterized by loose associations and a lack of logical connection between topics, making it difficult to follow. The nurse documents this as which of the following?
A. Echolalia
B. Disorganized speech
C. Word salad
D. Clang associations

B. Disorganized speech

A client with schizophrenia is experiencing hallucinations and delusions. The nurse categorizes these as which type of symptoms?
A. Negative symptoms
B. Cognitive symptoms
C. Affective symptoms
D. Positive symptoms

D. Positive symptoms

The nurse observes a client with schizophrenia exhibiting a lack of emotional expression and a decreased ability to experience pleasure. These are characteristic of which type of symptoms?
A. Positive symptoms
B. Negative symptoms
C. Disorganized symptoms
D. Psychomotor symptoms

B. Negative symptoms

The nurse is developing a care plan for a client newly diagnosed with schizophrenia. Which aspect of care is considered essential for promoting understanding of the illness, medication compliance, and coping strategies?
A. Limiting family involvement
B. Focusing solely on pharmacological interventions
C. Providing comprehensive patient education
D. Encouraging social isolation

C. Providing comprehensive patient education

A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, 'The voices are telling me to hurt myself.' The nurse identifies this as which type of hallucination?
A. Delusional hallucination
B. Somatic hallucination
C. Command auditory hallucination
D. Visual hallucination

C. Command auditory hallucination

A client asks the nurse if environmental factors can contribute to the development of schizophrenia. The nurse explains that exposure to which of the following may contribute to risk factors?
A. Regular exposure to sunshine
B. Access to clean water
C. Exposure to toxins, chemicals, or harmful substances
D. Living in a rural environment

C. Exposure to toxins, chemicals, or harmful substances

A nurse is assessing a young adult exhibiting social withdrawal, decreased interest in personal hygiene, and subtle changes in thought patterns, but no overt psychotic symptoms. The nurse suspects the client is in which phase of schizophrenia?
A. Acute phase
B. Residual phase
C. Prodromal phase
D. Recovery phase

C. Prodromal phase

A client is admitted to the psychiatric unit with prominent hallucinations, severe delusions, and disorganized behavior. The nurse identifies these symptoms as characteristic of which phase of schizophrenia?
A. Prodromal phase
B. Acute phase
C. Stabilization phase
D. Residual phase

B. Acute phase

During the stabilization phase of schizophrenia, a nurse's primary focus should be on which of the following?
A. Identifying early warning signs of psychosis
B. Administering high doses of antipsychotic medication
C. Helping the patient manage symptoms and prepare for discharge through education
D. Encouraging complete social isolation to prevent stress

C. Helping the patient manage symptoms and prepare for discharge through education

A client with schizophrenia is struggling with daily tasks, reporting difficulty concentrating, remembering instructions, and understanding complex ideas. The nurse identifies these as which type of symptoms?
A. Affective symptoms
B. Positive symptoms
C. Cognitive symptoms
D. Negative symptoms

C. Cognitive symptoms