Psychotic Disorders: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Question 1

Which of the following is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Hallucinations

Answer

Avolition

Answer

Anhedonia

Answer

Flattened affect

Question 2

What is the distinctive feature of schizoaffective disorder?

Accepted Answer

Simultaneous presence of psychotic symptoms and mood symptoms for at least 2 weeks

Answer

Alternating episodes of schizophrenia and mood disorders

Answer

Predominance of disorganized speech

Answer

Rapid cycling between psychotic and mood episodes

Question 3

Which neurotransmitter has been strongly implicated in the pathophysiology of hallucinations?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

GABA

Answer

Glutamate

Question 4

What class of medication is considered the first-line pharmacological treatment for schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotics

Answer

Antidepressants

Answer

Mood stabilizers

Answer

Benzodiazepines

Question 5

What is the general prognosis for individuals with psychotic disorders?

Accepted Answer

Variable, depending on the type of disorder and individual factors

Answer

Excellent with early intervention and treatment

Answer

Poor, with severe functional impairment and high risk of relapse

Answer

Complete recovery is typically achieved with appropriate treatment

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic positive symptom of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Negative symptoms

Answer

Hallucinations

Answer

Delusions

Answer

Thought blocking

Question 7

What is the primary class of medication used to treat schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotics

Answer

Antidepressants

Answer

Mood stabilizers

Answer

Benzodiazepines

Question 8

Which of the following is a key component of cognitive-behavioral therapy for psychotic disorders?

Accepted Answer

Challenging distorted beliefs

Answer

Symptom monitoring

Answer

Medication management

Answer

Family therapy

Question 9

What is the most prevalent sensory modality involved in hallucinations experienced in schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Auditory

Answer

Visual

Answer

Tactile

Answer

Olfactory

Question 10

Which of the following is considered a protective factor against developing schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Having a supportive social network

Answer

Having an immediate family member with schizophrenia

Answer

Growing up in an urban environment

Answer

Experiencing childhood trauma

Question 11

Which of the following is a potential long-term consequence of untreated schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Increased risk of substance abuse

Answer

Improved social functioning

Answer

Reduced cognitive impairment

Answer

Full recovery

Question 12

What is the primary objective of family-focused therapy for psychotic disorders?

Accepted Answer

Reduce expressed emotion

Answer

Improve medication adherence

Answer

Resolve family conflicts

Answer

Enhance communication skills

Question 13

Which of the following is a hallmark positive symptom of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Auditory hallucinations

Answer

Impaired social functioning

Answer

Reduced motivation

Answer

Lack of pleasure

Question 14

Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

Glutamate

Question 15

What is a key diagnostic criterion for schizoaffective disorder?

Accepted Answer

Episodes of mood disturbance that meet criteria for a major depressive or bipolar disorder

Answer

Delusions occurring for at least six months

Answer

Impaired social and occupational functioning

Answer

Persistent negative symptoms

Question 16

Which of the following is a distinguishing feature of catatonic schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Impaired motor function, such as immobility or excessive movement

Answer

Disorganized and incoherent speech

Answer

Persistent delusions of grandeur

Answer

Hallucinations involving multiple sensory modalities

Question 17

What is the typical age of onset for schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Mid-20s

Answer

Early adolescence

Answer

Mid-40s

Answer

Late adulthood

Question 18

Which of the following is a long-acting injectable antipsychotic?

Accepted Answer

Fluphenazine

Answer

Risperidone

Answer

Olanzapine

Answer

Aripiprazole

Question 19

Which of the following is a hallmark positive symptom of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Pronounced visual or auditory hallucinations

Answer

Persistent lack of motivation (avolition)

Answer

Marked reduction in emotional expression (anhedonia)

Answer

Reduced spontaneous speech (alogia)

Question 20

Which of the following antipsychotic medications is considered atypical?

Accepted Answer

Olanzapine

Answer

Haloperidol

Answer

Chlorpromazine

Answer

Fluphenazine

Question 21

The key differentiating feature between schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia is the:

Accepted Answer

Presence of pronounced mood symptoms

Answer

Earlier age of onset

Answer

More favorable prognosis

Answer

Distinct treatment approach

Question 22

In supportive psychotherapy for psychotic disorders, the primary focus is on:

Accepted Answer

Enhancing social and interpersonal functioning

Answer

Immediate reduction of psychotic symptoms

Answer

Improving medication compliance

Answer

Preventing future hospitalizations

Question 23

For acute psychotic episodes, the recommended first-line treatment is:

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotic medication

Answer

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Answer

Intensive psychosocial therapy

Answer

Immediate hospitalization

Question 24

How do cultural factors influence the presentation and interpretation of psychotic symptoms? Explain how cultural beliefs and values can impact the diagnosis of psychotic disorders.

Accepted Answer

Cultural beliefs and values can influence how individuals and clinicians perceive and interpret psychotic symptoms.

Answer

Cultural factors do not affect the manifestation of psychotic symptoms.

Answer

Cultural factors should be disregarded in psychiatric assessments to ensure unbiased diagnoses.

Answer

Psychotic disorders exhibit identical symptoms across all cultures, irrespective of cultural background.

Question 25

Which of the following is a core diagnostic criterion for schizophrenia, according to the DSM-5?

Accepted Answer

Presence of at least two characteristic symptoms, each present for a significant portion of time during a 1-month period (or less if successfully treated)

Answer

Delusions involving the government

Answer

Hallucinations of voices that are not present

Answer

Personality changes

Question 26

What is the most prevalent type of delusion observed in schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Persecutory delusions

Answer

Referential delusions

Answer

Delusions of grandeur

Question 27

Which combination of treatment options is typically recommended for schizoaffective disorder?

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotic medication and mood stabilizer

Answer

Antipsychotic medication only

Answer

Mood stabilizer only

Answer

Electroconvulsive therapy

Question 28

Which principle underpins cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis?

Accepted Answer

Challenge distorted thoughts and beliefs

Answer

Focus on symptom reduction

Answer

Use medication as the primary treatment

Answer

Avoid discussing psychotic experiences

Question 29

What is the main distinction between a delusion and a hallucination?

Accepted Answer

Delusions are beliefs, while hallucinations are sensory experiences

Answer

Hallucinations are more common in schizophrenia than delusions

Answer

Delusions involve the patient's judgment, while hallucinations do not

Answer

There is no difference between delusions and hallucinations

Question 30

Distinguish between schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder by specifying the unique characteristic:

Accepted Answer

Schizoaffective disorder involves significant mood symptoms.

Answer

Schizophrenia presents with more severe cognitive impairment.

Answer

They are essentially the same disorder.

Answer

Neither of the above is true

Question 31

For an acute psychotic episode, which treatment option is considered the first line of defense?

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotic medication

Answer

Electroconvulsive therapy

Answer

Psychosocial therapy

Answer

Hospitalization

Question 32

According to the DSM-5, what defines a delusion?

Accepted Answer

Fixed, false beliefs not influenced by culture or education.

Answer

Intrusive thoughts or images beyond the individual's control.

Answer

Repetitive, involuntary movements or vocalizations.

Answer

Disturbances in speech, syntax, and grammar.

Question 33

Which of the following is a characteristic positive symptom of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Experiencing hallucinations

Answer

Impaired thought patterns and speech

Answer

Loss of motivation and interest

Answer

Withdrawn and lack of pleasure

Question 34

The presence of both schizophrenia symptoms and symptoms of a mood disorder, such as depression or mania, is indicative of:

Accepted Answer

Schizoaffective disorder

Answer

Schizotypal personality disorder

Answer

Brief psychotic episode

Answer

Delusional disorder

Question 35

Which of the following second-generation (atypical) antipsychotic medications is commonly used for the treatment of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Risperidone

Answer

Buspirone

Answer

Fluoxetine

Answer

Lithium

Question 36

A persistent, fixed belief that is not based on reality, despite contradictory evidence, is a hallmark feature of:

Accepted Answer

Delusional disorder

Answer

Schizoaffective disorder

Answer

Schizophrenia

Answer

Psychotic disorder due to a general medical condition

Question 37

Which of the following antipsychotic medications is an example of a first-generation (typical) medication?

Accepted Answer

Chlorpromazine

Answer

Risperidone

Answer

Aripiprazole

Answer

Olanzapine

Question 38

Which of the following is NOT considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Flattened affect

Answer

Disorganized speech

Answer

Delusions

Answer

Hallucinations

Question 39

Which subtype of schizophrenia is characterized by prominent delusions of persecution or grandeur?

Accepted Answer

Paranoid schizophrenia

Answer

Catatonic schizophrenia

Answer

Undifferentiated schizophrenia

Answer

Hebephrenic schizophrenia

Question 40

Which neurotransmitter system is primarily implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Dopaminergic system

Answer

Noradrenergic system

Answer

Serotonergic system

Question 41

Which of the following is a known risk factor for the development of psychotic disorders?

Accepted Answer

Family history of psychosis

Answer

Regular physical exercise

Answer

Good social support system

Answer

High level of education

Question 42

What is the term used to describe a period of symptom exacerbation in psychotic disorders?

Accepted Answer

Relapse

Answer

Prodrome

Answer

Remission

Question 43

A patient presents with persistent auditory hallucinations, incoherent and disjointed speech, impaired concentration, and negative symptoms, including avolition and anhedonia. Which of the following diagnoses is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Schizophrenia

Answer

Schizoaffective disorder

Answer

Major depressive disorder with psychotic features

Answer

Delusional disorder

Question 44

A patient with a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder exhibits alternating periods of psychosis and major depressive episodes. What is a key distinction between schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Schizoaffective disorder is characterized by the presence of distinct mood episodes, such as major depressive or manic episodes, while schizophrenia is solely defined by psychotic symptoms.

Answer

Schizoaffective disorder involves more severe negative symptoms than schizophrenia.

Question 45

A 30-year-old patient presents with a fixed, false conviction that he possesses extraordinary abilities and is destined for greatness. He has no other symptoms of psychosis. Which of the following diagnoses is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Delusional disorder

Answer

Schizophrenia

Answer

Schizoaffective disorder

Answer

Paranoid personality disorder

Question 46

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic negative symptom of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Hallucinations

Answer

Avolition

Answer

Alogia

Question 47

A patient with schizophrenia experiences hallucinations and delusions of grandeur. Which of the following antipsychotic medications is most likely to be effective in treating these symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Risperidone

Answer

Fluoxetine

Answer

Lithium

Question 48

What is the primary aim of psychosocial interventions for patients with psychotic disorders?

Accepted Answer

To improve social functioning, quality of life, and overall well-being.

Answer

To cure the underlying cause of the psychotic disorder.

Answer

To eliminate all psychotic symptoms.

Answer

To reduce the risk of relapse.

Question 49

A patient with schizophrenia experiences a relapse. Which of the following risk factors could have contributed to this relapse?

Accepted Answer

Non-adherence to medication

Answer

A healthy diet

Answer

Regular exercise

Answer

Strong social support

Question 50

Which of the following is a commonly occurring comorbid condition associated with psychotic disorders?

Accepted Answer

Substance use disorder

Answer

Asthma

Answer

Diabetes mellitus

Question 51

What is the most prevalent type of hallucination experienced by individuals with schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Auditory

Answer

Visual

Answer

Olfactory

Answer

Tactile

Question 52

A patient with delusional disorder believes that his neighbor is plotting to harm him. This belief is an example of which type of delusion?

Accepted Answer

Persecutory

Answer

Grandiose

Answer

Erotomanic

Answer

Somatic