Per DSM-5, at least one of the following has to be present to diagnose schizophrenia except
Hallucinations
Delusions
Disorganized speech
Negative symptoms
The Correct Answer is D
A. Hallucinations are a core positive symptom of schizophrenia and involve false sensory perceptions without an external stimulus (e.g., hearing voices, seeing things that are not there). According to the DSM-5, hallucinations are one of the three essential symptoms that must be present for a diagnosis.
B. Delusions are fixed, false beliefs that persist despite evidence to the contrary (e.g., persecutory delusions, grandiose delusions). Delusions are a hallmark symptom of schizophrenia and are required as a diagnostic criterion if present.
C. Disorganized speech reflects disorganized thinking, a key symptom of schizophrenia. It includes incoherence, tangentiality, and word salad, demonstrating the cognitive dysfunction associated with the disorder. If disorganized speech is present, it fulfils one of the primary diagnostic criteria.
D. Negative symptoms such as avolition, anhedonia, alogia, and flat affect, are common in schizophrenia but are not required for diagnosis. According to the DSM-5, at least one of the following three symptoms hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized speech must be present to meet the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Eccentric. Individuals with schizotypal personality disorder (STPD) exhibit odd or eccentric behaviors, speech, and thought patterns. They may dress unusually, speak in vague or metaphorical ways, or hold bizarre beliefs that are not delusional but are far outside societal norms.
B. Mood swings. Frequent mood swings are not a characteristic feature of schizotypal personality disorder. Instead, they are more commonly seen in borderline personality disorder (BPD) or bipolar disorder. While individuals with STPD may experience transient emotional disturbances, their symptoms are more related to social detachment and cognitive distortions than rapid mood fluctuations.
C. Social anxiety. People with STPD experience intense social anxiety, often due to paranoia and distrust of others rather than fear of judgment (as seen in social anxiety disorder). Their discomfort in social situations does not improve with familiarity, leading to persistent isolation.
D. Paranoid. Paranoia is a core symptom of schizotypal personality disorder. Individuals with STPD often have suspiciousness and odd beliefs, such as thinking others are plotting against them or misinterpreting benign events as having hidden meanings. This paranoid thinking contributes to their social withdrawal and difficulty forming close relationships.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. "Made up" words. This describes neologisms, where individuals create new, nonsensical words that have meaning only to them. It is often seen in schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
B. Repeating of another's words. This describes echolalia, a speech disturbance where individuals involuntarily repeat words or phrases spoken by others. It is common in autism spectrum disorder, catatonia, and some neurological conditions.
C. Thought of the speaker wanders off in another direction. Tangentiality occurs when a person's train of thought drifts away from the original topic and never returns to it. Unlike circumstantial speech, where the person eventually returns to the point, tangential thinking leads to incoherent, off-topic responses, commonly seen in schizophrenia, mania, and cognitive disorders.
D. Meaningless rhythm of words. This describes word salad, where speech consists of random, disorganized, and nonsensical words without logical structure. It is a severe thought disorder seen in advanced schizophrenia or delirium.
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