,INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD — NU 160 Exam 3 |
Mental Health Concepts | Galen College of Nursing
| Q&A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
1. A patient with schizophrenia reports hearing voices that no one else can hear. The nurse
should document this as which type of symptom?
A) Delusion
B) Illusion
C) Hallucination
D) Obsession
Correct Answer: C) Hallucination
Rationale: Hallucinations are false sensory perceptions that occur without an external stimulus.
Auditory hallucinations, such as hearing voices, are the most common type in schizophrenia.
Delusions are fixed false beliefs, illusions are misinterpretations of real stimuli, and obsessions
are intrusive, unwanted thoughts.
2. A patient with schizophrenia states, "The FBI is controlling my mind through a chip in my
brain." The nurse recognizes this as which type of delusion?
A) Persecutory delusion
B) Somatic delusion
C) Delusion of control
D) Grandiose delusion
Correct Answer: C) Delusion of control
,Rationale: A delusion of control involves the belief that one's thoughts, feelings, or actions are
being controlled by an external force. Persecutory delusions involve being targeted or harassed,
somatic delusions involve bodily functions or sensations, and grandiose delusions involve
inflated self-worth.
3. A patient with schizophrenia exhibits flat affect, social withdrawal, and lack of motivation. The
nurse recognizes these as which type of symptoms?
A) Positive symptoms
B) Negative symptoms
C) Cognitive symptoms
D) Affective symptoms
Correct Answer: B) Negative symptoms
Rationale: Negative symptoms reflect a decrease or loss of normal functioning and include flat
affect, avolition (lack of motivation), anhedonia, alogia, and social withdrawal. Positive
symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech.
4. A patient with schizophrenia on haloperidol develops a temperature of 103°F, severe muscle
rigidity, and confusion. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Administer acetaminophen and continue the haloperidol
B) Hold the antipsychotic and notify the provider immediately
C) Place the patient in a cooling bath
D) Increase the haloperidol dose to control symptoms
Correct Answer: B) Hold the antipsychotic and notify the provider immediately
Rationale: These findings are consistent with neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a life-
threatening emergency characterized by fever, severe muscle rigidity, autonomic instability, and
, confusion. The antipsychotic must be stopped immediately, and the provider must be notified.
Delay in treatment can be fatal.
5. A patient with schizophrenia is being discharged on clozapine. Which laboratory monitoring is
most important for this medication?
A) Monthly liver function tests
B) Weekly absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
C) Daily blood glucose checks
D) Annual thyroid function panels
Correct Answer: B) Weekly absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
Rationale: Clozapine carries a significant risk of agranulocytosis, a potentially fatal drop in white
blood cells. Patients must have weekly ANC monitoring, especially during the first six months of
therapy. This monitoring is required through the REMS program.
6. A patient with schizophrenia is prescribed risperidone. The nurse should monitor for which
adverse effect associated with atypical antipsychotics?
A) Extrapyramidal symptoms
B) Weight loss
C) Metabolic syndrome
D) Hepatotoxicity
Correct Answer: C) Metabolic syndrome
Rationale: Atypical antipsychotics, including risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine, are
associated with metabolic syndrome characterized by weight gain, hyperglycemia, and
dyslipidemia. While EPS can occur, it is less common than with typical antipsychotics.
Mental Health Concepts | Galen College of Nursing
| Q&A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
1. A patient with schizophrenia reports hearing voices that no one else can hear. The nurse
should document this as which type of symptom?
A) Delusion
B) Illusion
C) Hallucination
D) Obsession
Correct Answer: C) Hallucination
Rationale: Hallucinations are false sensory perceptions that occur without an external stimulus.
Auditory hallucinations, such as hearing voices, are the most common type in schizophrenia.
Delusions are fixed false beliefs, illusions are misinterpretations of real stimuli, and obsessions
are intrusive, unwanted thoughts.
2. A patient with schizophrenia states, "The FBI is controlling my mind through a chip in my
brain." The nurse recognizes this as which type of delusion?
A) Persecutory delusion
B) Somatic delusion
C) Delusion of control
D) Grandiose delusion
Correct Answer: C) Delusion of control
,Rationale: A delusion of control involves the belief that one's thoughts, feelings, or actions are
being controlled by an external force. Persecutory delusions involve being targeted or harassed,
somatic delusions involve bodily functions or sensations, and grandiose delusions involve
inflated self-worth.
3. A patient with schizophrenia exhibits flat affect, social withdrawal, and lack of motivation. The
nurse recognizes these as which type of symptoms?
A) Positive symptoms
B) Negative symptoms
C) Cognitive symptoms
D) Affective symptoms
Correct Answer: B) Negative symptoms
Rationale: Negative symptoms reflect a decrease or loss of normal functioning and include flat
affect, avolition (lack of motivation), anhedonia, alogia, and social withdrawal. Positive
symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech.
4. A patient with schizophrenia on haloperidol develops a temperature of 103°F, severe muscle
rigidity, and confusion. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Administer acetaminophen and continue the haloperidol
B) Hold the antipsychotic and notify the provider immediately
C) Place the patient in a cooling bath
D) Increase the haloperidol dose to control symptoms
Correct Answer: B) Hold the antipsychotic and notify the provider immediately
Rationale: These findings are consistent with neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a life-
threatening emergency characterized by fever, severe muscle rigidity, autonomic instability, and
, confusion. The antipsychotic must be stopped immediately, and the provider must be notified.
Delay in treatment can be fatal.
5. A patient with schizophrenia is being discharged on clozapine. Which laboratory monitoring is
most important for this medication?
A) Monthly liver function tests
B) Weekly absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
C) Daily blood glucose checks
D) Annual thyroid function panels
Correct Answer: B) Weekly absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
Rationale: Clozapine carries a significant risk of agranulocytosis, a potentially fatal drop in white
blood cells. Patients must have weekly ANC monitoring, especially during the first six months of
therapy. This monitoring is required through the REMS program.
6. A patient with schizophrenia is prescribed risperidone. The nurse should monitor for which
adverse effect associated with atypical antipsychotics?
A) Extrapyramidal symptoms
B) Weight loss
C) Metabolic syndrome
D) Hepatotoxicity
Correct Answer: C) Metabolic syndrome
Rationale: Atypical antipsychotics, including risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine, are
associated with metabolic syndrome characterized by weight gain, hyperglycemia, and
dyslipidemia. While EPS can occur, it is less common than with typical antipsychotics.
