The psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner works on an acute inpatient stabilization unit. Standard procedure when evaluating patients with schizophrenia is to utilize the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). How is the PANSS different from other assessment tools?
It is a simple, self-report tool.
It focuses on both the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
It is brief and easy to administer.
It measures three primary domains: positive, negative, and general psychopathology.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: PANSS is not a self-report tool. It is a clinician-administered scale that requires structured interviews and observation. Patients do not complete it independently.
Choice B reason: While PANSS does assess both positive and negative symptoms, this answer is incomplete. PANSS also includes a third domain—general psychopathology—which encompasses symptoms like anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment.
Choice C reason: PANSS is comprehensive and takes time to administer. It includes 30 items rated on a 7-point scale and requires clinical expertise, making it more complex than brief screening tools.
Choice D reason: PANSS is distinct in its tripartite structure, measuring positive symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, delusions), negative symptoms (e.g., blunted affect, social withdrawal), and general psychopathology (e.g., anxiety, poor impulse control). This multidimensional approach provides a thorough evaluation of schizophrenia.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Nightmare disorder involves vivid, frightening dreams that occur during REM sleep and typically awaken the child, who can recall the dream content. In this case, the child does not fully wake and has no memory of the episode, which is inconsistent with nightmare disorder.
Choice B reason: Sleep terrors, also known as night terrors, are episodes of intense fear, screaming, and autonomic arousal that occur during non-REM sleep, usually within the first few hours of sleep. Children experiencing sleep terrors are difficult to awaken, appear confused, and typically have no memory of the event. This matches the boy’s presentation precisely.
Choice C reason: Insomnia is characterized by difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or waking too early. It does not involve screaming, crying, or episodes of confusion during sleep. The boy’s symptoms are not consistent with insomnia.
Choice D reason: REM sleep behavior disorder involves physically acting out dreams due to loss of normal REM atonia. It is more common in older adults and involves purposeful movements rather than screaming or crying. The child’s age and presentation make this diagnosis unlikely.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Blurred vision is the hallmark early symptom of cataract formation. It results from the clouding of the lens, which scatters light and reduces visual clarity. Patients often describe difficulty reading, glare sensitivity, and needing more light for tasks.
Choice B reason: Headache is not a typical symptom of cataracts. It may occur with other ocular conditions like glaucoma or refractive errors but is not a primary indicator of lens opacity.
Choice C reason: Floaters are associated with vitreous degeneration or retinal detachment, not cataracts. They appear as spots or threads in the visual field and are unrelated to lens changes.
Choice D reason: Eye strain may occur with uncorrected refractive errors or prolonged screen use but is not a defining feature of cataracts. It lacks the specificity and diagnostic relevance of blurred vision.
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