Psychotic Disorders no. 4028

Psychotic Disorders no. 4028

QUESTION: A client with disorganized-type schizophrenia has been hospitalized for the past 2 years on a unit for chronic mentally ill clients. The client's behavior is labile and fluctuates from childishness and incoherence to loud yelling to slow but appropriate interaction. The client needs assistance with all activities of daily living. Which behavior is characteristic of disorganized-type schizophrenia?

✓O a.) Extreme social impairment
✘O b.) Suspicious delusions
✘O c.) Waxy flexibility
✘O d.) Elevated affect

RATIONALE

RATIONALE: Disorganized-type schizophrenia (formerly called hebephrenia) is characterized by extreme social impairment, marked inappropriate affect, silliness, grimacing, posturing, and fragmented delusions and hallucinations. A client with a paranoid disorder typically exhibits suspicious delusions, such as a belief that evil forces are after him. Waxy flexibility, a condition in which the client's limbs remain fixed in uncomfortable positions for long periods, characterizes catatonic schizophrenia. Elevated affect is associated with schizoaffective disorder.
NURSING PROCESS STEP: Evaluation
CLIENT NEEDS CATEGORY: Psychosocial integrity
CLIENT NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: None
COGNITIVE LEVEL: Knowledge