Schizophrenia NCLEX Questions with
Complete Answers
The nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia. Which of the following outcomes is
the least desirable?
A The client spends more time by himself.
B The client doesn't engage in delusional thinking.
C The client doesn't harm himself or others.
D The client demonstrates the ability to meet his own self-care needs. Correct Answer A
The nurse formulates a nursing diagnosis of Impaired verbal communication for a client
with schizotypal personality disorder. Based on this nursing diagnosis, which nursing
intervention is most appropriate?
A Helping the client to participate in social interactions
B Establishing a one-on-one relationship with the client
C Establishing alternative forms of communication
D Allowing the client to decide when he wants to participate in verbal communication
with the nurse Correct Answer B
Since admission 4 days ago, a client has refused to take a shower, stating, "There are
poison crystals hidden in the shower head. They'll kill me if I take a shower." Which
nursing action is most appropriate?
A Dismantling the showerhead and showing the client that there is nothing in it
B Explaining that other clients are complaining about the client's body odor
C Asking a security officer to assist in giving the client a shower
D Accepting these fears and allowing the client to take a sponge bath Correct Answer D
Drug therapy with thioridazine (Mellaril) shouldn't exceed a daily dose of 800 mg to
prevent which adverse reaction?
A Hypertension
B Respiratory arrest
C Tourette syndrome
D Retinal pigmentation Correct Answer D
A client with paranoid personality disorder is admitted to a psychiatric facility. Which
remark by the nurse would best establish rapport and encourage the client to confide in
the nurse?
A "I get upset once in a while, too."
B "I know just how you feel. I'd feel the same way in your situation."
C "I worry, too, when I think people are talking about me."
D "At times, it's normal not to trust anyone." Correct Answer A
How soon after chlorpromazine (Thorazine) administration should the nurse expect to
see a client's delusional thoughts and hallucinations eliminated?
, A Several minutes
B Several hours
C Several days
D Several weeks Correct Answer D
A client is about to be discharged with a prescription for the antipsychotic agent
haloperidol (Haldol), 10 mg by mouth twice per day. During a discharge teaching
session, the nurse should provide which instruction to the client?
A Take the medication 1 hour before a meal.
B Decrease the dosage if signs of illness decrease.
C Apply a sunscreen before being exposed to the sun.
D Increase the dosage up to 50 mg twice per day if signs of illness don't decrease.
Correct Answer C
A client with paranoid schizophrenia repeatedly uses profanity during an activity therapy
session. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
A "Your behavior won't be tolerated. Go to your room immediately."
B "You're just doing this to get back at me for making you come to therapy."
C "Your cursing is interrupting the activity. Take time out in your room for 10 minutes."
D "I'm disappointed in you. You can't control yourself even for a few minutes." Correct
Answer A
Which of the following is one of the advantages of the newer antipsychotic medication
risperidone (Risperdal)?
A The absence of anticholinergic effects
B A lower incidence of extrapyramidal effects
C Photosensitivity and sedation
D No incidence of neuroleptic malignant syndrome Correct Answer B
The etiology of schizophrenia is best described by:
A genetics due to a faulty dopamine receptor.
B environmental factors and poor parenting.
C structural and neurobiological factors.
D a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Correct Answer
D
A client with schizophrenia who receives fluphenazine (Prolixin) develops
pseudoparkinsonism and akinesia. What drug would the nurse administer to minimize
extrapyramidal symptoms?
A benztropine (Cogentin)
B dantrolene (Dantrium)
C clonazepam (Klonopin)
D diazepam (Valium) Correct Answer A
A client with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia comments to the nurse, "How do I
know what is really in those pills?" Which of the following is the best response?
Complete Answers
The nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia. Which of the following outcomes is
the least desirable?
A The client spends more time by himself.
B The client doesn't engage in delusional thinking.
C The client doesn't harm himself or others.
D The client demonstrates the ability to meet his own self-care needs. Correct Answer A
The nurse formulates a nursing diagnosis of Impaired verbal communication for a client
with schizotypal personality disorder. Based on this nursing diagnosis, which nursing
intervention is most appropriate?
A Helping the client to participate in social interactions
B Establishing a one-on-one relationship with the client
C Establishing alternative forms of communication
D Allowing the client to decide when he wants to participate in verbal communication
with the nurse Correct Answer B
Since admission 4 days ago, a client has refused to take a shower, stating, "There are
poison crystals hidden in the shower head. They'll kill me if I take a shower." Which
nursing action is most appropriate?
A Dismantling the showerhead and showing the client that there is nothing in it
B Explaining that other clients are complaining about the client's body odor
C Asking a security officer to assist in giving the client a shower
D Accepting these fears and allowing the client to take a sponge bath Correct Answer D
Drug therapy with thioridazine (Mellaril) shouldn't exceed a daily dose of 800 mg to
prevent which adverse reaction?
A Hypertension
B Respiratory arrest
C Tourette syndrome
D Retinal pigmentation Correct Answer D
A client with paranoid personality disorder is admitted to a psychiatric facility. Which
remark by the nurse would best establish rapport and encourage the client to confide in
the nurse?
A "I get upset once in a while, too."
B "I know just how you feel. I'd feel the same way in your situation."
C "I worry, too, when I think people are talking about me."
D "At times, it's normal not to trust anyone." Correct Answer A
How soon after chlorpromazine (Thorazine) administration should the nurse expect to
see a client's delusional thoughts and hallucinations eliminated?
, A Several minutes
B Several hours
C Several days
D Several weeks Correct Answer D
A client is about to be discharged with a prescription for the antipsychotic agent
haloperidol (Haldol), 10 mg by mouth twice per day. During a discharge teaching
session, the nurse should provide which instruction to the client?
A Take the medication 1 hour before a meal.
B Decrease the dosage if signs of illness decrease.
C Apply a sunscreen before being exposed to the sun.
D Increase the dosage up to 50 mg twice per day if signs of illness don't decrease.
Correct Answer C
A client with paranoid schizophrenia repeatedly uses profanity during an activity therapy
session. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
A "Your behavior won't be tolerated. Go to your room immediately."
B "You're just doing this to get back at me for making you come to therapy."
C "Your cursing is interrupting the activity. Take time out in your room for 10 minutes."
D "I'm disappointed in you. You can't control yourself even for a few minutes." Correct
Answer A
Which of the following is one of the advantages of the newer antipsychotic medication
risperidone (Risperdal)?
A The absence of anticholinergic effects
B A lower incidence of extrapyramidal effects
C Photosensitivity and sedation
D No incidence of neuroleptic malignant syndrome Correct Answer B
The etiology of schizophrenia is best described by:
A genetics due to a faulty dopamine receptor.
B environmental factors and poor parenting.
C structural and neurobiological factors.
D a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Correct Answer
D
A client with schizophrenia who receives fluphenazine (Prolixin) develops
pseudoparkinsonism and akinesia. What drug would the nurse administer to minimize
extrapyramidal symptoms?
A benztropine (Cogentin)
B dantrolene (Dantrium)
C clonazepam (Klonopin)
D diazepam (Valium) Correct Answer A
A client with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia comments to the nurse, "How do I
know what is really in those pills?" Which of the following is the best response?
