NCLEX : Symptoms and Tests for Neural Conditions
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Example Question #11 : Symptoms And Tests For Neural Conditions
Charlotte is a 19 year old female with new onset of paranoia and auditory hallucinations. She has a positive family history for schizophrenia. Recently she admitted to her nurse that she can “hear” what other people are thinking. As she describes it, this does not come in the form of sound, but is communicated directly to her brain. Charlotte is likely experiencing which of the following?
Thought broadcasting
Auditory hallucination
Delusions of persecution
Telepathy
Thought broadcasting
The belief that other people can hear one's thoughts is described by the term thought broadcasting. This is a common symptom in schizophrenia. It is differentiated from telepathy in that thought broadcasting, there is a delusion that thoughts can be heard by anyone, while telepathy is generally non-verbal communication between specific individuals, and may be receptive as well as projective. Auditory hallucinations are false perceptions of sounds (or internal thought perceived at emanating from another source), while delusions of persecution can take many forms but generally include a degree of paranoia or feeling of being targeted for harm or attack.
Example Question #11 : Symptoms And Tests For Neural Conditions
The term "positive symptoms" in schizophrenia refers to which of the following?
Repetitive physical movements or gestures
The loss of a specific sense, such as loss of sense of smell (anosmia)
Any symptom that increases confidence or leads to grandiosity
Any cognitive excess or distortions, such as delusions or hallucinations
Any cognitive excess or distortions, such as delusions or hallucinations
Positive symptoms in schizophrenia are any symptoms of cognitive excess or disordered thinking. These include delusions, such as delusions of grandeur or persecution, hallucinations, and disorganized speech or behavior.
Example Question #12 : Symptoms And Tests For Neural Conditions
Which of the following conditions can decrease sensitivity to sweet and bitter tastes?
ADHD
Depression
Rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriasis
Depression
Depression has been linked with alterations in taste sensation, including decreased sensitivity to sweetness. This may contribute in some part to the high consumption of sweet foods in certain individuals experiencing a depressive episode. None of the other conditions listed have been correlated with alterations in taste receptor function.
Example Question #51 : Neural And Psychological Conditions
You are an emergency department nurse taking care of a 16-year old female who complains of fatigue and syncope. You learn that she has only been drinking water for the last two weeks and has only been eating a piece of bread per day for the last four weeks, as she is worried that her classmates may make fun of her for "being too fat" during her upcoming dance. Her BMI is 14. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Generalized anxiety disorder
Anorexia nervosa
Binge-eating disorder
Bulimia nervosa
Major depressive disorder
Anorexia nervosa
The correct answer is "Anorexia nervosa." This is the correct answer because in this patient, who is a young female, which is the most commonly encountered demographic for eating disorders, she notes that she has been drastically restricting her intake of food, that she has body dysmorphic thoughts (e.g. thinking that she is "too fat" despite that her BMI is 14), and we learn that her BMI is 14. A diagnosis of anorexia can be made if a patient is restricting their eating or drinking intentionally, and/or is participating in purge behavior, and has a BMI less than 17.5, as in this patient.
Should this patient have presented in an identical manner, but her BMI been greater than 17.5, by definition, the correct answer would be bulimia nervosa. Given her BMI though, bulimia nervosa is not correct. There is no evidence of binge-eating behavior in this patient either, making that answer incorrect.
While generalized anxiety disorder and/or major depressive disorder are often co-morbid in patients with eating disorders, there is not enough evidence in the example to suggest either diagnosis for this patient.
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