SCHIZOPHRENIA NCLEX EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
A client with persistent, severe schizophrenia has been treated with phenothiazines for
the past 17 years. Now the client's speech is garbled as a result of drug-induced
rhythmic tongue protrusion. What is another name for this extrapyramidal symptom?
A Dystonia
B Akathisia
C Pseudoparkinsonism
D Tardive dyskinesia - ANSWER-D
The nurse is assigned to a client with catatonic schizophrenia. Which intervention
should the nurse include in the client's plan of care?
A Meeting all of the client's physical needs
B Giving the client an opportunity to express concerns
C Administering lithium carbonate (Lithonate) as prescribed
D Providing a quiet environment where the client can be alone - ANSWER-A
A client with a history of medication noncompliance is receiving outpatient treatment for
chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia. The physician is most likely to prescribe which
medication for this client?
A chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
B imipramine (Tofranil)
C lithium carbonate (Lithane)
D fluphenazine decanoate (Prolixin Decanoate) - ANSWER-D
Propranolol (Inderal) is used in the mental health setting to manage which of the
following conditions?
A Antipsychotic-induced akathisia and anxiety
B The manic phase of bipolar illness as a mood stabilizer
C Delusions for clients suffering from schizophrenia
D Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to reduce ritualistic behavior - ANSWER-A
Every day for the past 2 weeks, a client with schizophrenia stands up during group
therapy and screams, "Get out of here right now! The elevator bombs are going to
explode in 3 minutes!" The next time this happens, how should the nurse respond?
A "Why do you think there is a bomb in the elevator?"
B "That is the same thing you said in yesterday's session."
C "I know you think there are bombs in the elevator, but there aren't."
D "If you have something to say, you must do it according to our group rules." -
ANSWER-C
A 26-year-old client is admitted to the psychiatric unit with acute onset of schizophrenia.
His physician prescribes the phenothiazine chlorpromazine (Thorazine), 100 mg by
mouth four times per day. Before administering the drug, the nurse reviews the client's
, medication history. Concomitant use of which drug is likely to increase the risk of
extrapyramidal effects?
A guanethidine (Ismelin)
B droperidol (Inapsine)
C lithium carbonate (Lithonate)
D alcohol - ANSWER-B
A client, age 36, with paranoid schizophrenia believes the room is bugged by the
Central Intelligence Agency and that his roommate is a foreign spy. The client has
never had a romantic relationship, has no contact with family members, and hasn't been
employed in the last 14 years. Based on Erikson's theories, the nurse should recognize
that this client is in which stage of psychosocial development?
A Autonomy versus shame and doubt
B Generativity versus stagnation
C Integrity versus despair
D Trust versus mistrust - ANSWER-D
During a group therapy session in the psychiatric unit, a client constantly interrupts with
impulsive behavior and exaggerated stories that cast her as a hero or princess. She
also manipulates the group with attention-seeking behaviors, such as sexual comments
and angry outbursts. The nurse realizes that these behaviors are typical of:
A paranoid personality disorder.
B avoidant personality disorder.
C histrionic personality disorder.
D borderline personality disorder. - ANSWER-C
The nurse is teaching a psychiatric client about her prescribed drugs, chlorpromazine
and benztropine. Why is benztropine administered?
A To reduce psychotic symptoms
B To reduce extrapyramidal symptoms
C To control nausea and vomiting
D To relieve anxiety - ANSWER-B
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." -
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 - ANSWER-B
The etiology of schizophrenia is best described by:
A genetics due to a faulty dopamine receptor.
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
A client with persistent, severe schizophrenia has been treated with phenothiazines for
the past 17 years. Now the client's speech is garbled as a result of drug-induced
rhythmic tongue protrusion. What is another name for this extrapyramidal symptom?
A Dystonia
B Akathisia
C Pseudoparkinsonism
D Tardive dyskinesia - ANSWER-D
The nurse is assigned to a client with catatonic schizophrenia. Which intervention
should the nurse include in the client's plan of care?
A Meeting all of the client's physical needs
B Giving the client an opportunity to express concerns
C Administering lithium carbonate (Lithonate) as prescribed
D Providing a quiet environment where the client can be alone - ANSWER-A
A client with a history of medication noncompliance is receiving outpatient treatment for
chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia. The physician is most likely to prescribe which
medication for this client?
A chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
B imipramine (Tofranil)
C lithium carbonate (Lithane)
D fluphenazine decanoate (Prolixin Decanoate) - ANSWER-D
Propranolol (Inderal) is used in the mental health setting to manage which of the
following conditions?
A Antipsychotic-induced akathisia and anxiety
B The manic phase of bipolar illness as a mood stabilizer
C Delusions for clients suffering from schizophrenia
D Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to reduce ritualistic behavior - ANSWER-A
Every day for the past 2 weeks, a client with schizophrenia stands up during group
therapy and screams, "Get out of here right now! The elevator bombs are going to
explode in 3 minutes!" The next time this happens, how should the nurse respond?
A "Why do you think there is a bomb in the elevator?"
B "That is the same thing you said in yesterday's session."
C "I know you think there are bombs in the elevator, but there aren't."
D "If you have something to say, you must do it according to our group rules." -
ANSWER-C
A 26-year-old client is admitted to the psychiatric unit with acute onset of schizophrenia.
His physician prescribes the phenothiazine chlorpromazine (Thorazine), 100 mg by
mouth four times per day. Before administering the drug, the nurse reviews the client's
, medication history. Concomitant use of which drug is likely to increase the risk of
extrapyramidal effects?
A guanethidine (Ismelin)
B droperidol (Inapsine)
C lithium carbonate (Lithonate)
D alcohol - ANSWER-B
A client, age 36, with paranoid schizophrenia believes the room is bugged by the
Central Intelligence Agency and that his roommate is a foreign spy. The client has
never had a romantic relationship, has no contact with family members, and hasn't been
employed in the last 14 years. Based on Erikson's theories, the nurse should recognize
that this client is in which stage of psychosocial development?
A Autonomy versus shame and doubt
B Generativity versus stagnation
C Integrity versus despair
D Trust versus mistrust - ANSWER-D
During a group therapy session in the psychiatric unit, a client constantly interrupts with
impulsive behavior and exaggerated stories that cast her as a hero or princess. She
also manipulates the group with attention-seeking behaviors, such as sexual comments
and angry outbursts. The nurse realizes that these behaviors are typical of:
A paranoid personality disorder.
B avoidant personality disorder.
C histrionic personality disorder.
D borderline personality disorder. - ANSWER-C
The nurse is teaching a psychiatric client about her prescribed drugs, chlorpromazine
and benztropine. Why is benztropine administered?
A To reduce psychotic symptoms
B To reduce extrapyramidal symptoms
C To control nausea and vomiting
D To relieve anxiety - ANSWER-B
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." -
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 - ANSWER-B
The etiology of schizophrenia is best described by:
A genetics due to a faulty dopamine receptor.
