,NUR 253 Exam 3 | Concepts of Mental Health
Nursing (2026) Q&A | Galen College
1. A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices telling him he is worthless.
The nurse identifies this as which type of symptom?
A) Negative symptom
B) Positive symptom
C) Cognitive symptom
D) Affective symptom
Correct Answer: Positive symptom
Rationale: Hallucinations are positive symptoms, which are excesses or
distortions of normal functioning. Negative symptoms include flat affect and
avolition. Cognitive symptoms affect memory and attention, while affective
refers to mood.
2. The nurse is assessing a client with schizoaffective disorder. Which finding
supports this diagnosis over schizophrenia?
A) Auditory hallucinations only
B) Disorganized speech and catatonia
C) Psychotic symptoms concurrent with a major mood episode
D) Social isolation and anhedonia
Correct Answer: Psychotic symptoms concurrent with a major mood episode
,Rationale: Schizoaffective disorder includes psychotic symptoms along with a
depressive or manic episode, and psychotic symptoms persist for at least two
weeks without mood symptoms. Schizophrenia lacks a prominent mood
component.
3. A client is newly diagnosed with delusional disorder. The nurse expects the
client to exhibit:
A) A non-bizarre delusion with relatively intact functioning
B) Multiple bizarre delusions and disorganized behavior
C) Auditory hallucinations commanding harm
D) Flat affect and alogia
Correct Answer: A non-bizarre delusion with relatively intact functioning
Rationale: Delusional disorder features one or more non-bizarre delusions (e.g.,
being followed, deceived) without other psychotic symptoms. Functioning is
often preserved except in areas directly related to the delusion.
4. Which duration of symptoms distinguishes schizophreniform disorder from
schizophrenia?
A) Less than 1 week
B) 1 to 6 months
C) More than 12 months
D) 6 to 12 months
Correct Answer: 1 to 6 months
, Rationale: Schizophreniform disorder has the same criteria as schizophrenia but
lasts 1–6 months. If symptoms persist beyond 6 months, the diagnosis is
changed to schizophrenia. Brief psychotic disorder lasts less than 1 month.
5. A client with schizophrenia is started on haloperidol. The nurse should
monitor for which extrapyramidal symptom that occurs within hours to days?
A) Tardive dyskinesia
B) Acute dystonia
C) Akathisia
D) Pseudoparkinsonism
Correct Answer: Acute dystonia
Rationale: Acute dystonia, characterized by involuntary muscle spasms of the
face, neck, and back, occurs early in treatment. It is treated with
anticholinergics. Tardive dyskinesia is late-onset; akathisia and
pseudoparkinsonism appear later.
6. A client on risperidone reports breast tenderness and milky nipple discharge.
The nurse suspects this is due to:
A) Elevated prolactin levels
B) Liver enzyme induction
C) Allergic reaction
D) Electrolyte imbalance
Correct Answer: Elevated prolactin levels
Nursing (2026) Q&A | Galen College
1. A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices telling him he is worthless.
The nurse identifies this as which type of symptom?
A) Negative symptom
B) Positive symptom
C) Cognitive symptom
D) Affective symptom
Correct Answer: Positive symptom
Rationale: Hallucinations are positive symptoms, which are excesses or
distortions of normal functioning. Negative symptoms include flat affect and
avolition. Cognitive symptoms affect memory and attention, while affective
refers to mood.
2. The nurse is assessing a client with schizoaffective disorder. Which finding
supports this diagnosis over schizophrenia?
A) Auditory hallucinations only
B) Disorganized speech and catatonia
C) Psychotic symptoms concurrent with a major mood episode
D) Social isolation and anhedonia
Correct Answer: Psychotic symptoms concurrent with a major mood episode
,Rationale: Schizoaffective disorder includes psychotic symptoms along with a
depressive or manic episode, and psychotic symptoms persist for at least two
weeks without mood symptoms. Schizophrenia lacks a prominent mood
component.
3. A client is newly diagnosed with delusional disorder. The nurse expects the
client to exhibit:
A) A non-bizarre delusion with relatively intact functioning
B) Multiple bizarre delusions and disorganized behavior
C) Auditory hallucinations commanding harm
D) Flat affect and alogia
Correct Answer: A non-bizarre delusion with relatively intact functioning
Rationale: Delusional disorder features one or more non-bizarre delusions (e.g.,
being followed, deceived) without other psychotic symptoms. Functioning is
often preserved except in areas directly related to the delusion.
4. Which duration of symptoms distinguishes schizophreniform disorder from
schizophrenia?
A) Less than 1 week
B) 1 to 6 months
C) More than 12 months
D) 6 to 12 months
Correct Answer: 1 to 6 months
, Rationale: Schizophreniform disorder has the same criteria as schizophrenia but
lasts 1–6 months. If symptoms persist beyond 6 months, the diagnosis is
changed to schizophrenia. Brief psychotic disorder lasts less than 1 month.
5. A client with schizophrenia is started on haloperidol. The nurse should
monitor for which extrapyramidal symptom that occurs within hours to days?
A) Tardive dyskinesia
B) Acute dystonia
C) Akathisia
D) Pseudoparkinsonism
Correct Answer: Acute dystonia
Rationale: Acute dystonia, characterized by involuntary muscle spasms of the
face, neck, and back, occurs early in treatment. It is treated with
anticholinergics. Tardive dyskinesia is late-onset; akathisia and
pseudoparkinsonism appear later.
6. A client on risperidone reports breast tenderness and milky nipple discharge.
The nurse suspects this is due to:
A) Elevated prolactin levels
B) Liver enzyme induction
C) Allergic reaction
D) Electrolyte imbalance
Correct Answer: Elevated prolactin levels
