Schizophrenia

Question 1

Predisposing factors associated with the development of Schizophrenia?

Answer 1

1. Risk factors-alterations in brain structure
2. Neurochemical contributing factors include dopamine, serotonin, NMDA receptors, and glutamate.
3. Genetic factors, siblings, twin studies, and 42 genes work together to produce specific symptom profiles.
4. Synaptic pruning.

Question 2

Prodromal phase of Schizophrenia

Answer 2

s/s that precede the acute, fully manifested s/s of the disease.

Question 3

Acute phase of Schizophrenia

Answer 3

Well-developed symptoms are grouped into four categories:
1. Positive symptoms
2. Negative symptoms
3. Cognitive symptoms
4. Mood symptoms

Question 4

Stabilization phase of Schizophrenia

Answer 4

The period in which acute symptoms, particularly “positive symptoms,” decrease in severity.

Question 5

Maintenance phase of Schizophrenia

Answer 5

Period in which symptoms are in remission, although there might be milder persistent symptoms (residual symptoms).

Question 6

Positive symptoms of Schizophrenia

Answer 6

1. Hallucinations
2. Delusions
3. Bizarre Behaviors
4. Paranoia

Question 7

Negative symptoms of Schizophrenia

Answer 7

1. Apathy
2. Lack of Motivation
3. Anhedonia

Question 8

Major symptoms of Schizophrenia

Answer 8

1. Cognitive symptoms: impairment in memory, disruption in social learning, decreased ability to reason and solve problems, or decreased ability to focus attention.
2. Mood symptoms- depression, anxiety, dysphoria, and suicidality

Question 9

Primary psychotic disorders

Answer 9

1. Schizophreniform disorder
2. Brief psychotic disorder
3. Schizoaffective disorder
4. Delusional disorder
5. Substance/medication-induced psychotic disorder

Question 10

Examples of Diagnosis of Schizophrenia

Answer 10

Impaired perceptions
Hallucinations
Anxiety and panic levels
Risk for suicide
Impaired coping
Social isolation
Loneliness
Self-esteem, low
Anxiety

Question 11

Outcomes Identification

Answer 11

Phase 1 (acute) goal patient safety & medical stabilization. Brief hospital stay, aftercare needs, d/c planning.

Phase 2 (Stabilization)-improvement in functioning skills training and social groups.

Phase 3 (Maintenance) Anxiety control & relapse prevention to reduce the patient’s vulnerability to psychosis.

Question 12

Interventions

Answer 12

Phase 1- crisis intervention, acute symptom stabilization, medication adherence, safety

Phase 2- medications, nursing interventions, community support, pt & family psychoeducation, health promotion & health maintenance.

Question 13

Communication Guidelines

Answer 13

Wait longer for a person to think about and process questions than to respond during the acute phase.

Could you repeat questions or gently redirect the person?

Please use shorter phrases and concrete language to make communication easier.