When obtaining a client's history, a nurse determines that the client has been experiencing delusions and hallucinations for the past 3 months, which has caused some problems in the client's ability to function at work. The client also is exhibiting catatonic excitement, echopraxia, loose associations, and pressured speech. The nurse suspects which condition?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The essential features of schizophreniform disorder are identical to those of criteria A for schizophrenia (delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, and negative symptoms), with the exception of the duration of the illness, which can be less than 6 months but with symptoms present for at least 1 month. Schizophrenia would be as described, but the symptoms must persist for at least 6 months. In brief psychotic disorder, the length of the episode is at least 1 day but less than 1 month. With schizoaffective disorder, the client must have an uninterrupted period of illness when there is a major depressive, manic, or mixed episode along with two of the following symptoms of schizophrenia: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized or catatonic behavior, or negative symptoms.

When Obtaining a Client's History, a Nurse Determines That the Client