Which of the following best describes tangentiality?
"Made up" words.
Repeating of another's words.
Thought of the speaker wanders off in another direction.
Meaningless rhythm of words.
The Correct Answer is C
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Micromanages others. Individuals with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) exhibit excessive control and perfectionism, often micromanaging tasks and people to ensure everything is done "correctly." They struggle with delegating responsibilities because they believe others will not meet their high standards.
B. Perfectionist. Rigid perfectionism is a core feature of OCPD. Individuals set unrealistically high expectations for themselves and others, leading to chronic dissatisfaction, procrastination, and inefficiency because they fear making mistakes.
C. Workaholic. Those with OCPD are often preoccupied with work and productivity, sometimes neglecting personal relationships and leisure activities. They may prioritize tasks over social interactions, believing that relaxation is a sign of laziness.
D. Wants to be alone. Unlike schizoid personality disorder, individuals with OCPD do not prefer isolation. They often engage with others in structured environments but struggle in relationships due to their rigid expectations, stubbornness, and excessive control over details rather than a genuine desire to be alone.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
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.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.
