Question 1

Mariah is a 23-year-old who has been diagnosed with major depression. Last year she began experiencing delusions, as well as disorganized thinking and behaviors. These symptoms remitted with medication but she then began to display flat affect and social withdrawal. Two months ago she once again began to experience delusions and an increase in disorganized thinking. Which of the following disorders is Mariah experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Mariah's symptoms include both mood disorder symptoms (major depression) and psychotic symptoms (delusions, disorganized thinking), which are characteristic of schizoaffective disorder.

Question 2

Cognitive impairments in individuals with schizophrenia impact occupational performance. Which of the following is the most accurate statement regarding cognitive impairments and schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

While cognitive impairments are often present in individuals with schizophrenia, they are not considered a core symptom. However, research has shown that cognitive impairments have a greater impact on functional outcomes (such as occupational performance) than traditional symptoms like delusions or hallucinations. Additionally, while cognitive impairments can be present at the onset of schizophrenia, they do not necessarily worsen through time for all individuals. The specific cognitive impairments experienced may vary, but difficulty with short-term memory is not necessarily considered a hallmark of schizophrenia.

Question 3

Individuals with schizophrenia are much more likely to die at a younger age than the general population, and most often that death is attributable to what condition?

Accepted Answer

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of premature death among individuals with schizophrenia, often due to a combination of factors including lifestyle choices (e.g., smoking, poor diet), side effects of antipsychotic medication (which can include weight gain and metabolic changes), and reduced access to or quality of physical healthcare.

Question 4

Which of the following symptom clusters would Mariah's symptoms of delusions represent?

Accepted Answer

Delusions are a common symptom of psychosis, along with hallucinations and disorganized thought patterns. Negative symptoms refer to a lack of typical behaviors or emotions, such as social withdrawal or lack of motivation. Disorganized symptoms refer to confused or illogical thoughts and speech patterns. Affective symptoms refer to mood-related symptoms, such as depression or mania.

Question 5

Overall health and wellness in individuals with schizophrenia negatively impacts occupational performance. Which of the following is most descriptive of the impact on health and wellness on occupational performance?

Accepted Answer

CMedications prescribed for schizophrenia can lead to significant side effects, including oral side effects (A) and increased risk of type 1 diabetes and weight gain (C), which can negatively impact an individual's ability to perform daily occupational tasks.

Question 6

Which of the following is most reflective of gender and cultural differences in schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Cultural considerations are vital in distinguishing psychotic experiences. Research has shown that cultural factors can influence the experience, expression, and interpretation of psychotic symptoms. For example, certain religious or spiritual beliefs may be interpreted as psychosis in some cultures, but not in others. It is important for clinicians to take into account these cultural differences when evaluating and diagnosing schizophrenia.

Question 7

Evidence indicates that early intervention for individuals with schizophrenia should include cognitive remediation. Which of the following best describes a cognitive remediation intervention approach?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive remediation involves methods to improve cognitive functioning, including attention, memory, and executive function. Graded and repeated practice of cognitive-oriented tasks in the context of occupational performance is a technique used in cognitive remediation, which helps individuals with schizophrenia develop cognitive skills and apply them in real-life situations. Other options such as adapting the cognitive aspects of a task, daily living skills training, and application of behavioral strategies to ADL and IADL skills are not specific approaches used in cognitive remediation.

Question 8

Which statement best describes the course of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

The course of schizophrenia can vary widely between individuals, with some experiencing improvement over time and others experiencing chronic symptoms. It is not a progressive deterioration for everyone and symptoms can change over time. It is also not true that individuals will experience the same symptoms throughout their lifetime. Lastly, while schizophrenia can develop at any age, it often emerges in early adulthood, not late in life.

Question 9

Keo is demonstrating psychotic-like symptoms, cognitive decline, and increased social isolation. He has not yet met the criteria for schizophrenia. Which of the following best describes what Keo is experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Keo is experiencing symptoms that are commonly seen during the prodromal period of schizophrenia, which is the period leading up to the onset of the illness. This period is characterized by a decline in functioning, social withdrawal, and sometimes mild psychotic-like symptoms. It is important to note that not everyone who experiences prodromal symptoms will go on to develop schizophrenia.

Quiz 16: Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder