NURS 222: SCHIZOPHRENIA &
PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS
COMPREHENSIVE QUIZ (2026/2027)
1. A client diagnosed with schizophrenia is experiencing ‘alogia’. Which clinical presentation
should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Lack of motivation to perform self-care tasks
B. Inability to experience pleasure from previously enjoyed activities
C. Total lack of movement or responsiveness to the environment
D. Poverty of speech or a reduction in the amount of speech
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Alogia is a negative symptom of schizophrenia characterized by
poverty of speech or speech content. Option A refers to avolition, B to anhedonia, and D to
catatonia.
2. A patient is prescribed Clozapine (Clozaril). Which laboratory value must the nurse monitor
most closely to ensure patient safety?
A. Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
B. Serum potassium levels
,C. Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
D. Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a high risk of agranulocytosis. Weekly ANC
monitoring is required by the REMS program to detect life-threatening drops in white
blood cells.
3. A client is experiencing an acute dystonic reaction after receiving Haloperidol. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering immediately?
A. Benztropine
B. Lorazepam
C. Risperidone
D. Propranolol
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Benztropine (Cogentin) is an anticholinergic used to reverse
extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) like acute dystonia caused by first-generation
antipsychotics.
4. Which neurobiological change is most consistently associated with the ‘Positive Symptoms’
of schizophrenia according to the Dopamine Hypothesis?
A. Hypofunction of dopamine in the mesocortical pathway
, B. Hyperactivity of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway
C. Degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway
D. Blockade of dopamine in the tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Excessive dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway is linked
to positive symptoms (hallucinations/delusions), while hypofunction in the mesocortical
pathway is linked to negative symptoms.
5. A client believes the government is using the television to send secret coded messages
specifically to them. How should the nurse document this symptom?
A. Delusion of Grandeur
B. Somatic Delusion
C. Idea of Reference
D. Thought Withdrawal
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Ideas of reference involve the belief that insignificant events or
objects in the environment have special personal meaning for the individual.
6. What is the primary difference between Schizophrenia and Schizophreniform Disorder
according to the DSM-5?
A. Schizophreniform includes a prominent mood component
PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS
COMPREHENSIVE QUIZ (2026/2027)
1. A client diagnosed with schizophrenia is experiencing ‘alogia’. Which clinical presentation
should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Lack of motivation to perform self-care tasks
B. Inability to experience pleasure from previously enjoyed activities
C. Total lack of movement or responsiveness to the environment
D. Poverty of speech or a reduction in the amount of speech
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Alogia is a negative symptom of schizophrenia characterized by
poverty of speech or speech content. Option A refers to avolition, B to anhedonia, and D to
catatonia.
2. A patient is prescribed Clozapine (Clozaril). Which laboratory value must the nurse monitor
most closely to ensure patient safety?
A. Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
B. Serum potassium levels
,C. Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
D. Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine carries a high risk of agranulocytosis. Weekly ANC
monitoring is required by the REMS program to detect life-threatening drops in white
blood cells.
3. A client is experiencing an acute dystonic reaction after receiving Haloperidol. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering immediately?
A. Benztropine
B. Lorazepam
C. Risperidone
D. Propranolol
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Benztropine (Cogentin) is an anticholinergic used to reverse
extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) like acute dystonia caused by first-generation
antipsychotics.
4. Which neurobiological change is most consistently associated with the ‘Positive Symptoms’
of schizophrenia according to the Dopamine Hypothesis?
A. Hypofunction of dopamine in the mesocortical pathway
, B. Hyperactivity of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway
C. Degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway
D. Blockade of dopamine in the tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Excessive dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway is linked
to positive symptoms (hallucinations/delusions), while hypofunction in the mesocortical
pathway is linked to negative symptoms.
5. A client believes the government is using the television to send secret coded messages
specifically to them. How should the nurse document this symptom?
A. Delusion of Grandeur
B. Somatic Delusion
C. Idea of Reference
D. Thought Withdrawal
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Ideas of reference involve the belief that insignificant events or
objects in the environment have special personal meaning for the individual.
6. What is the primary difference between Schizophrenia and Schizophreniform Disorder
according to the DSM-5?
A. Schizophreniform includes a prominent mood component
