Schizophrenia Basics
This is the inability to distinguish reality from non-reality.
What is psychosis?
Hallucinations and delusions are examples of these symptoms.
What are positive symptoms?
These primarily block dopamine receptors.
What are typical antipsychotics?
Nausea, tremor, confusion in a lithium patient suggest what?
Lithium toxicity
This is the biggest safety concern when taking SSRIs.
What is Serotonin Syndrome?
This neurotransmitter is most associated with schizophrenia when present in excess.
What is dopamine?
Flat affect and avolition are examples of these symptoms.
What are negative symptoms?
Lower EPS but higher metabolic syndrome risk.
What are atypical antipsychotics?
Therapeutic lithium level.
0.6–1.2 mEq/L
During this phase, patients often experience social withdrawal, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and declining functioning.
What is the Prodromal Phase?
Name two environmental risk factors for schizophrenia.
Examples: childhood trauma, prenatal stress, substance use, chronic stress, poverty, birth complications.
A patient hears voices talking to them.
What is an auditory hallucination?
This medication requires ANC/WBC monitoring.
What is Clozapine?
Medication used to treat acute dystonia/EPS.
Benztropine (Cogentin) or Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Unlike SSRIs, SNRIs also increase this neurotransmitter.
What is norepinephrine?
During this phase the patient experiences hallucinations, delusions, and bizarre behavior.
What is the Acute Phase?
Highest priority question for command hallucinations.
What are the voices saying? Are they telling you to hurt yourself or someone else?
Lip smacking and tongue movements indicate this adverse effect.
What is tardive dyskinesia?
Which SNRI is commonly prescribed for depression with chronic pain?
What is Duloxetine (Cymbalta)?
Hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, and bizarre behavior are hallmarks of this phase.
What is the Acute Phase?
The strongest known risk factor for schizophrenia.
What are genetics?
Poor concentration and impaired judgment belong to this symptom category.
What are cognitive symptoms?
High fever, rigidity, confusion, tachycardia suggest this emergency.
What is Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome?
A patient taking Clozapine develops fever, sore throat, and fatigue. What complication is the nurse concerned about and what are the priority nursing actions?
Agranulocytosis. Hold the medication, obtain CBC/ANC, notify the provider immediately, monitor for infection.
Place these phases in the correct order.
What is: