Question

the nurse is teaching a group of patients about how schizophrenia changes the structures of the brain. which information should the nurse include in the presentation?

select all that apply.

lower brain volume
shrinking of the cerebral ventricles
atrophy of the cerebral cortex
increased glucose level in the brain
decreased blood flow to the brain

Explanation:

Analyze structural brain changes in schizophrenia

• Schizophrenia is associated with a reduction in total brain volume (gray and white matter loss).
• Neuroimaging consistently shows enlargement (dilation/widening), not shrinking, of the cerebral ventricles.
• Atrophy of the cerebral cortex (particularly frontal and temporal lobes) is a well-documented structural change.

Analyze physiological and metabolic brain changes

• Schizophrenia is associated with decreased (hypofrontality), not increased, glucose metabolism/levels in the brain.
• Studies show decreased blood flow (perfusion) to certain areas of the brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex, during cognitive tasks.

Determine correct options

• "Lower brain volume": Correct.
• "Shrinking of the cerebral ventricles": Incorrect (they enlarge).
• "Atrophy of the cerebral cortex": Correct.
• "Increased glucose level in the brain": Incorrect (metabolism/glucose utilization is decreased).
• "Decreased blood flow to the brain": Correct.

Answer:

• Lower brain volume (Correct answer)
• Shrinking of the cerebral ventricles
• Atrophy of the cerebral cortex (Correct answer)
• Increased glucose level in the brain
• Decreased blood flow to the brain (Correct answer)