Schizophrenia NCLEX Questions with 100%
Correct Answers
Positive symptoms of schizophrenia, specifically hallucinations and delusions, are
thought to be caused by hyperactivity of which neurotransmitter?
1. Dopamine
2. Norepinephrine
3. Acetylcholine
4. Epinephrine Correct Answer 1. Dopamine
Positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as delusions and hallucinations, are thought
to be caused by dopamine hyperactivity in the mesolimbic tract at the D2 receptor site in
the striatal area, where memory and emotion are regulated. Hyperactivity of
acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine are not associated with schizophrenia
Which of the following are key diagnostic criteria of schizophrenia? SATA
1. One or more major areas of social or occupational functioning markedly below
previously achieved levels
2. Continuous signs for at least six months
3. Delusions present for a significant portion of time during a one-month period
4. Major depression occurring concurrently with active symptoms
5. A direct physiologic effect of a substance or medical condition Correct Answer 1. One
or more major areas of social or occupational functioning markedly below previously
achieved levels
2. Continuous signs for at least six months
3. Delusions present for a significant portion of time during a one-month period
Key diagnostic criteria includes continuous signs for at least six months, one or more
major areas of social or occupational functioning markedly below previously achieved
levels, and delusions present for a significant portion of time during a one-month period.
Other criteria include the absence, or insignificant duration, of major depressive, manic,
or mixed episodes occurring concurrently with active symptoms, and that the disease is
not a direct physiologic effect of a substance or medical condition
After teaching a group of nursing students about neurotransmitters associated with
schizophrenia, the nursing instructor determines that the education was successful
when the students verify which of the following as playing a role in the positive
symptoms of schizophrenia?
1. Glutamate
2. Serotonin
3. Dopamine
, 4. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) Correct Answer 3. Dopamine
Positive symptoms of schizophrenia, specifically hallucinations and delusions, are
thought to be related to dopamine hyperactivity. Studies are revealing that
schizophrenia does not result from the dysregulation of a single neurotransmitter or
biogenic amine, such as norepinephrine or serotonin. Hypothesis suggests a role for
glutamate and GABA. However, dopamine dysfunction is also thought to be involved in
psychosis with other disorders
Clients diagnosed with schizophrenia may experience disordered water balance that
may lead to water intoxication. Which of the following may occur as a result of water
intoxication?
1. Oliguria
2. Hypernatremia
3. Hyponatremia
4. Weight loss Correct Answer 3. Hyponatremia
Hyponatremia is a life-threatening complication of unknown cause. When a client
ingests an unusually large volume of water, the kidneys' capacity to excrete water is
overwhelmed, and serum sodium levels rapidly fall below the normal range of 135 to
145 mEq/L, to a neurological signs such as muscle twitching and irritability, and the
client is at risk for seizures, coma or possible death. Polyuria and increased diurnal
weight gain may occur.
When preparing a class presentation about schizophrenia, which of the following would
the nurse most likely include?
1. Delusions are more commonly noted in younger children with schizophrenia
2. Schizophrenia is more commonly diagnosed in children than in adolescents
3. Very few individuals with schizophrenia reach older adulthood
4. Improvement in symptoms can occur as a client with a history of schizophrenia
reaches older adulthood Correct Answer 4. Improvement in symptoms can occur as a
client with a history of schizophrenia reaches older adulthood
People with schizophrenia do reach older adulthood and others develop schizophrenia
late in life. For older clients who have had schizophrenia since young adulthood, this
mat be a times in which they experience some improvement in symptoms or decrease
in relapse fluctuations. The diagnosis of schizophrenia in children before adolescence is
rare. If it does occur, hallucinations tend to be more visual and delusions are less
developed
A client with schizophrenia is prescribed second-generations antipsychotic. The client's
mother asks, "About how long will it take until we see any changes in his symptoms?"
Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
Correct Answers
Positive symptoms of schizophrenia, specifically hallucinations and delusions, are
thought to be caused by hyperactivity of which neurotransmitter?
1. Dopamine
2. Norepinephrine
3. Acetylcholine
4. Epinephrine Correct Answer 1. Dopamine
Positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as delusions and hallucinations, are thought
to be caused by dopamine hyperactivity in the mesolimbic tract at the D2 receptor site in
the striatal area, where memory and emotion are regulated. Hyperactivity of
acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine are not associated with schizophrenia
Which of the following are key diagnostic criteria of schizophrenia? SATA
1. One or more major areas of social or occupational functioning markedly below
previously achieved levels
2. Continuous signs for at least six months
3. Delusions present for a significant portion of time during a one-month period
4. Major depression occurring concurrently with active symptoms
5. A direct physiologic effect of a substance or medical condition Correct Answer 1. One
or more major areas of social or occupational functioning markedly below previously
achieved levels
2. Continuous signs for at least six months
3. Delusions present for a significant portion of time during a one-month period
Key diagnostic criteria includes continuous signs for at least six months, one or more
major areas of social or occupational functioning markedly below previously achieved
levels, and delusions present for a significant portion of time during a one-month period.
Other criteria include the absence, or insignificant duration, of major depressive, manic,
or mixed episodes occurring concurrently with active symptoms, and that the disease is
not a direct physiologic effect of a substance or medical condition
After teaching a group of nursing students about neurotransmitters associated with
schizophrenia, the nursing instructor determines that the education was successful
when the students verify which of the following as playing a role in the positive
symptoms of schizophrenia?
1. Glutamate
2. Serotonin
3. Dopamine
, 4. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) Correct Answer 3. Dopamine
Positive symptoms of schizophrenia, specifically hallucinations and delusions, are
thought to be related to dopamine hyperactivity. Studies are revealing that
schizophrenia does not result from the dysregulation of a single neurotransmitter or
biogenic amine, such as norepinephrine or serotonin. Hypothesis suggests a role for
glutamate and GABA. However, dopamine dysfunction is also thought to be involved in
psychosis with other disorders
Clients diagnosed with schizophrenia may experience disordered water balance that
may lead to water intoxication. Which of the following may occur as a result of water
intoxication?
1. Oliguria
2. Hypernatremia
3. Hyponatremia
4. Weight loss Correct Answer 3. Hyponatremia
Hyponatremia is a life-threatening complication of unknown cause. When a client
ingests an unusually large volume of water, the kidneys' capacity to excrete water is
overwhelmed, and serum sodium levels rapidly fall below the normal range of 135 to
145 mEq/L, to a neurological signs such as muscle twitching and irritability, and the
client is at risk for seizures, coma or possible death. Polyuria and increased diurnal
weight gain may occur.
When preparing a class presentation about schizophrenia, which of the following would
the nurse most likely include?
1. Delusions are more commonly noted in younger children with schizophrenia
2. Schizophrenia is more commonly diagnosed in children than in adolescents
3. Very few individuals with schizophrenia reach older adulthood
4. Improvement in symptoms can occur as a client with a history of schizophrenia
reaches older adulthood Correct Answer 4. Improvement in symptoms can occur as a
client with a history of schizophrenia reaches older adulthood
People with schizophrenia do reach older adulthood and others develop schizophrenia
late in life. For older clients who have had schizophrenia since young adulthood, this
mat be a times in which they experience some improvement in symptoms or decrease
in relapse fluctuations. The diagnosis of schizophrenia in children before adolescence is
rare. If it does occur, hallucinations tend to be more visual and delusions are less
developed
A client with schizophrenia is prescribed second-generations antipsychotic. The client's
mother asks, "About how long will it take until we see any changes in his symptoms?"
Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
