SCHIZOPHRENIA NCLEX-STYLE EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
What would be an appropriate short-term outcome for a patient diagnosed with
residual schizophrenia who exhibits ambivalence?
a. Decide their own daily schedule.
b. Decide which unit groups they will attend.
c. Choose which clinic staff member to work with.
d. Choose between two outfits to wear each morning. - ANSWER-D
An early step would be to make choices about nonthreatening matters when
presented with limited alternatives
What is the priority nursing diagnosis for a catatonic patient?
a. Ineffective coping
b. Impaired physical mobility
c. Impaired social interaction
d. Risk for deficient fluid volume - ANSWER-D
The highest priority for the patient is maintenance of basic physiologic needs, such
as hydration. Mobility is of lesser physiological importance than fluid volume.
Which nursing diagnosis is appropriate for a patient who insists being called Your
Highness and demonstrates loosely associated thoughts?
a. Risk for violence
b. Defensive coping
c. Impaired memory
d. Disturbed thought processes - ANSWER-D
Delusions and loose associations suggest disturbed thought processes.
Which initial short-term outcome would be appropriate for a patient who was
admitted expressing delusional thoughts?
a. Accept that delusion is illogical.
b. Distinguish external boundaries.
c. Explain the basis for the delusions.
d. Engage in reality-oriented conversation. - ANSWER-D
Delusions are not reality oriented; thus an appropriate outcome would be that patient
will engage in reality-oriented conversation rather than discussing delusional beliefs.
Delusions are fixed, false beliefs. Patients rarely accept anyone using logic to
dispute them. Data are not present to suggest boundary disturbance. Explaining the
delusion is not progress; it suggests the patient still holds to the belief.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse plan to use to reduce patient
focus on delusional thinking?
a. Confronting the delusion
b. Refuting the delusion with logic
c. Exploring reasons the patient has the delusion
d. Focusing on feelings suggested by the delusion - ANSWER-D
, Focusing on feelings suggested by the delusion will help meet patient needs and
help the patient stay based in reality. This technique fosters rapport and trust while
discouraging the belief without challenging or refuting it.
Which assessment observation supports a patients diagnosis of disorganized
schizophrenia?
a. Reports suicidal ideations
b. Last relapse was 6 years ago
c. Consistent inappropriate laughing
d. Believes that the government is out to get me - ANSWER-C
The presence of disorganization and inappropriate affect identifies this disorder as
disorganized schizophrenia. The symptoms of residual schizophrenia have long
periods of remission.
A client reports to the nurse that his foot is on fire and he thinks the demons are
trying to burn off his flesh. The priority nursing intervention for this symptom is to:
a. Administer prn haloperidol as ordered.
b. Evaluate the client's foot to rule out physical causes for his complaint.
c. Administer prn benztropine as ordered.
d. Ask the client if he would like to speak with a chaplain. - ANSWER-B
When a client suddenly becomes aggressive and violent on the unit, which of the
following approaches would be best for the nurse to use first?
a. Provide large motor activities to relieve the client's pent-up tension.
b. Administer a dose of prn haloperidol to keep the patient calm.
c. Call for adequate help to control the situation safely.
d. Convey to the client that his behavior is unacceptable and will not be permitted. -
ANSWER-C
A client has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. He has been socially isolated and is
hearing voices telling him to kill his parents. He has been admitted to the psychiatric
unit from the emergency department. The initial nursing intervention for Josh is to:
a. Give him an injection of haloperidol.
b. Assess his safety toward himself and others.
c. Place him in restraints.
d. Order him a nutritious diet. - ANSWER-B
A newly admitted patient has the diagnosis of catatonic schizophrenia. Which
behavior observed in the patient supports that diagnosis?
a. Uses a rhyming form of speech
b. Refuses to eat any unwrapped foods
c. Laughs when watching a sad movie
d. Maintains an immobilized state for hours - ANSWER-D
Catatonic schizophrenia is characterized by extremes of psychomotor activity
ranging from frenzied behavior to immobilization and may include echopraxia and
posturing.
A patient tried to gouge out his eye in response to auditory hallucinations
commanding, If thine eye offends thee, pluck it out. The nurse would analyze this
behavior as indicating:
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
What would be an appropriate short-term outcome for a patient diagnosed with
residual schizophrenia who exhibits ambivalence?
a. Decide their own daily schedule.
b. Decide which unit groups they will attend.
c. Choose which clinic staff member to work with.
d. Choose between two outfits to wear each morning. - ANSWER-D
An early step would be to make choices about nonthreatening matters when
presented with limited alternatives
What is the priority nursing diagnosis for a catatonic patient?
a. Ineffective coping
b. Impaired physical mobility
c. Impaired social interaction
d. Risk for deficient fluid volume - ANSWER-D
The highest priority for the patient is maintenance of basic physiologic needs, such
as hydration. Mobility is of lesser physiological importance than fluid volume.
Which nursing diagnosis is appropriate for a patient who insists being called Your
Highness and demonstrates loosely associated thoughts?
a. Risk for violence
b. Defensive coping
c. Impaired memory
d. Disturbed thought processes - ANSWER-D
Delusions and loose associations suggest disturbed thought processes.
Which initial short-term outcome would be appropriate for a patient who was
admitted expressing delusional thoughts?
a. Accept that delusion is illogical.
b. Distinguish external boundaries.
c. Explain the basis for the delusions.
d. Engage in reality-oriented conversation. - ANSWER-D
Delusions are not reality oriented; thus an appropriate outcome would be that patient
will engage in reality-oriented conversation rather than discussing delusional beliefs.
Delusions are fixed, false beliefs. Patients rarely accept anyone using logic to
dispute them. Data are not present to suggest boundary disturbance. Explaining the
delusion is not progress; it suggests the patient still holds to the belief.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse plan to use to reduce patient
focus on delusional thinking?
a. Confronting the delusion
b. Refuting the delusion with logic
c. Exploring reasons the patient has the delusion
d. Focusing on feelings suggested by the delusion - ANSWER-D
, Focusing on feelings suggested by the delusion will help meet patient needs and
help the patient stay based in reality. This technique fosters rapport and trust while
discouraging the belief without challenging or refuting it.
Which assessment observation supports a patients diagnosis of disorganized
schizophrenia?
a. Reports suicidal ideations
b. Last relapse was 6 years ago
c. Consistent inappropriate laughing
d. Believes that the government is out to get me - ANSWER-C
The presence of disorganization and inappropriate affect identifies this disorder as
disorganized schizophrenia. The symptoms of residual schizophrenia have long
periods of remission.
A client reports to the nurse that his foot is on fire and he thinks the demons are
trying to burn off his flesh. The priority nursing intervention for this symptom is to:
a. Administer prn haloperidol as ordered.
b. Evaluate the client's foot to rule out physical causes for his complaint.
c. Administer prn benztropine as ordered.
d. Ask the client if he would like to speak with a chaplain. - ANSWER-B
When a client suddenly becomes aggressive and violent on the unit, which of the
following approaches would be best for the nurse to use first?
a. Provide large motor activities to relieve the client's pent-up tension.
b. Administer a dose of prn haloperidol to keep the patient calm.
c. Call for adequate help to control the situation safely.
d. Convey to the client that his behavior is unacceptable and will not be permitted. -
ANSWER-C
A client has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. He has been socially isolated and is
hearing voices telling him to kill his parents. He has been admitted to the psychiatric
unit from the emergency department. The initial nursing intervention for Josh is to:
a. Give him an injection of haloperidol.
b. Assess his safety toward himself and others.
c. Place him in restraints.
d. Order him a nutritious diet. - ANSWER-B
A newly admitted patient has the diagnosis of catatonic schizophrenia. Which
behavior observed in the patient supports that diagnosis?
a. Uses a rhyming form of speech
b. Refuses to eat any unwrapped foods
c. Laughs when watching a sad movie
d. Maintains an immobilized state for hours - ANSWER-D
Catatonic schizophrenia is characterized by extremes of psychomotor activity
ranging from frenzied behavior to immobilization and may include echopraxia and
posturing.
A patient tried to gouge out his eye in response to auditory hallucinations
commanding, If thine eye offends thee, pluck it out. The nurse would analyze this
behavior as indicating:
