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.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Tachycardia. Stimulants (e.g., methylphenidate, amphetamines) increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels, leading to sympathetic nervous system activation. This can cause tachycardia, increased blood pressure, and palpitations, making cardiovascular monitoring important in patients taking stimulants.
B. Decreased appetite. Stimulants suppress appetite, often leading to weight loss and nutritional deficiencies in children and adolescents. This is due to their effect on the hypothalamus, which regulates hunger and satiety.
C. Delayed growth. Chronic stimulant use has been associated with temporary growth suppression in children, possibly due to reduced appetite and changes in growth hormone regulation. However, growth typically normalizes after drug holidays or discontinuation.
D. Drooling (sialorrhea) is not a side effect of stimulants. Instead, it is more commonly associated with antipsychotics like clozapine, which cause excessive salivation due to muscarinic receptor effects. Stimulants, if anything, may cause dry mouth rather than drooling.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Lack of motivation. Avolition, not alogia, refers to a severe lack of motivation to initiate and sustain goal-directed activities. It is a common negative symptom of schizophrenia, leading to difficulties in completing tasks such as hygiene, work, or social activities.
B. No empathy. Lack of empathy is more commonly associated with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) or narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) rather than schizophrenia. Individuals with schizophrenia may struggle with social interactions, but this is due to cognitive deficits rather than a lack of concern for others.
C. Reduction in quantity of words spoken. Alogia refers to poverty of speech, characterized by diminished verbal output and difficulty generating spontaneous speech. It is a negative symptom of schizophrenia, often presenting as brief, empty responses or difficulty engaging in conversation.
D. Inability to experience pleasure. Anhedonia refers to the inability to feel pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable. It is another negative symptom of schizophrenia and is also seen in major depressive disorder and other mood disorders.
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