SCHIZOPHRENIA AND OTHER PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a flat affect, paranoid delusions, anhedonia,
anergia, neologisms, and echolalia. Which statement correctly differentiates the client's positive
and negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
1. Paranoid delusions, flat affect, and anhedonia are negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
2. Paranoid delusions, anhedonia, and anergia are positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
3. Paranoid delusions, neologisms, and echolalia are positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
4. Paranoid delusions, anergia, and echolalia are negative symptoms of schizophrenia. correct
answers 3. Paranoid delusions, neologisms, and echolalia are positive symptoms of
schizophrenia.
A client diagnosed with schizopηrenia spectrum disorder tells a nurse about voices commanding
him to kill the president. Which is the priority nursing diagnosis for this client?
1. Altered thought processes
2. Risk for violence: directed toward others
3. Disturbed sensory perception
4. Risk for injury correct answers 2. Risk for violence: directed toward others
The diagnosis of catatonic disorder associated with another medical condition is made when the
client's medical history, physical examination, or laboratory findings provide evidence that
symptoms are directly attributed to which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
1. Hyperaphia
2. Hypothyroidism
3. Hypoadrenalism
4. Hyperadrenalism
5. Hyperthyroidism correct answers 2. Hypothyroidism
3. Hypoadrenalism
,4. Hyperadrenalism
5. Hyperthyroidism
A client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder takes an antipsychotic agent daily.
Which assessment finding should a nurse prioritize?
1. Weight gain of 8 pounds in 2 months
2. Temperature of 104°F (40°C)
3. Excessive salivation
4. Respirations of 22 beats/minute correct answers 2. Temperature of 104°F (40°C)
A paranoid client presents with bizarre behaviors, neologisms, and thought insertion. Which
nursing action should be prioritized to maintain this client's safety?
1. Assess for medication nonadherance.
2. Assess triggers for bizarre, inappropriate behaviors.
3. Note escalating behaviors and intervene immediately.
4. Interpret attempts at communication. correct answers 3. Note escalating behaviors and
intervene immediately.
A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. The nurse asks the
client, "Do you receive special messages from certain sources, such as the television or radio?"
The nurse is assessing which potential symptom of this disorder?
1. Magical thinking
2. Paranoid delusions
3. Thought insertion
4. Delusions of reference correct answers 4. Delusions of reference
A 60-year-old client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder presents in an ED with
uncontrollable tongue movements, stiff neck, and difficulty swallowing. Which medical
diagnosis and treatment should a nurse anticipate when planning care for this client?
, 1. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome treated by discontinuing antipsychotic medications
2. Tardive dyskinesia treated by discontinuing antipsychotic medications
3. Extrapyramidal symptoms treated by administration of benztropine (Cogentin)
4. Agranulocytosis treated by administration of clozapine (Clozaril) correct answers 2. Tardive
dyskinesia treated by discontinuing antipsychotic medications
A paranoid client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder states, "My psychiatrist is out
to get me. I'm sad that the voice is telling me to stop him." What symptom is the client
exhibiting, and what is the nurse's legal responsibility related to this symptom?
1. Persecutory delusions; orient the client to reality.
2. Altered thought processes; call an emergency treatment team meeting.
3. Magical thinking; administer an antipsychotic medication.
4. Command hallucinations; warn the psychiatrist. correct answers 4. Command hallucinations;
warn the psychiatrist.
After taking chlorpromazine (Thorazine) for a month, a client presents to an ED with severe
muscle rigidity, tachycardia, and a temperature of 105oF (40.5°C). Which medical diagnosis and
treatment should a nurse anticipate whεn planning care for this client?
1. Dystonia treated by administering bromocriptine (Parlodel)
2. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome treated by increasing Thorazine dosage and administering an
antianxiety medication
3. Dystonia treated by administering trihexyphenidyl (Artane)
4. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome treated by discontinuing correct answers 4. Neuroleptic
malignant syndrome treated by discontinuing
Which nursing intervention would be most appropriate when caring for an acutely agitated
paranoid client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder?
1. Provide neon lights and soft music.
2. Maintain continual eye contact throughout the interview.
3. Use therapeutic touch to increase trust and rapport.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a flat affect, paranoid delusions, anhedonia,
anergia, neologisms, and echolalia. Which statement correctly differentiates the client's positive
and negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
1. Paranoid delusions, flat affect, and anhedonia are negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
2. Paranoid delusions, anhedonia, and anergia are positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
3. Paranoid delusions, neologisms, and echolalia are positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
4. Paranoid delusions, anergia, and echolalia are negative symptoms of schizophrenia. correct
answers 3. Paranoid delusions, neologisms, and echolalia are positive symptoms of
schizophrenia.
A client diagnosed with schizopηrenia spectrum disorder tells a nurse about voices commanding
him to kill the president. Which is the priority nursing diagnosis for this client?
1. Altered thought processes
2. Risk for violence: directed toward others
3. Disturbed sensory perception
4. Risk for injury correct answers 2. Risk for violence: directed toward others
The diagnosis of catatonic disorder associated with another medical condition is made when the
client's medical history, physical examination, or laboratory findings provide evidence that
symptoms are directly attributed to which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
1. Hyperaphia
2. Hypothyroidism
3. Hypoadrenalism
4. Hyperadrenalism
5. Hyperthyroidism correct answers 2. Hypothyroidism
3. Hypoadrenalism
,4. Hyperadrenalism
5. Hyperthyroidism
A client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder takes an antipsychotic agent daily.
Which assessment finding should a nurse prioritize?
1. Weight gain of 8 pounds in 2 months
2. Temperature of 104°F (40°C)
3. Excessive salivation
4. Respirations of 22 beats/minute correct answers 2. Temperature of 104°F (40°C)
A paranoid client presents with bizarre behaviors, neologisms, and thought insertion. Which
nursing action should be prioritized to maintain this client's safety?
1. Assess for medication nonadherance.
2. Assess triggers for bizarre, inappropriate behaviors.
3. Note escalating behaviors and intervene immediately.
4. Interpret attempts at communication. correct answers 3. Note escalating behaviors and
intervene immediately.
A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. The nurse asks the
client, "Do you receive special messages from certain sources, such as the television or radio?"
The nurse is assessing which potential symptom of this disorder?
1. Magical thinking
2. Paranoid delusions
3. Thought insertion
4. Delusions of reference correct answers 4. Delusions of reference
A 60-year-old client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder presents in an ED with
uncontrollable tongue movements, stiff neck, and difficulty swallowing. Which medical
diagnosis and treatment should a nurse anticipate when planning care for this client?
, 1. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome treated by discontinuing antipsychotic medications
2. Tardive dyskinesia treated by discontinuing antipsychotic medications
3. Extrapyramidal symptoms treated by administration of benztropine (Cogentin)
4. Agranulocytosis treated by administration of clozapine (Clozaril) correct answers 2. Tardive
dyskinesia treated by discontinuing antipsychotic medications
A paranoid client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder states, "My psychiatrist is out
to get me. I'm sad that the voice is telling me to stop him." What symptom is the client
exhibiting, and what is the nurse's legal responsibility related to this symptom?
1. Persecutory delusions; orient the client to reality.
2. Altered thought processes; call an emergency treatment team meeting.
3. Magical thinking; administer an antipsychotic medication.
4. Command hallucinations; warn the psychiatrist. correct answers 4. Command hallucinations;
warn the psychiatrist.
After taking chlorpromazine (Thorazine) for a month, a client presents to an ED with severe
muscle rigidity, tachycardia, and a temperature of 105oF (40.5°C). Which medical diagnosis and
treatment should a nurse anticipate whεn planning care for this client?
1. Dystonia treated by administering bromocriptine (Parlodel)
2. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome treated by increasing Thorazine dosage and administering an
antianxiety medication
3. Dystonia treated by administering trihexyphenidyl (Artane)
4. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome treated by discontinuing correct answers 4. Neuroleptic
malignant syndrome treated by discontinuing
Which nursing intervention would be most appropriate when caring for an acutely agitated
paranoid client diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder?
1. Provide neon lights and soft music.
2. Maintain continual eye contact throughout the interview.
3. Use therapeutic touch to increase trust and rapport.
