Chapter 16: Schizophrenia

A client on antipsychotic medications often suffers from orthostatic hypotension due to the adrenergic receptor antagonist effects of the antipsychotic True False

True

A client with schizophrenia may exhibits echolalia, an abnormal speech pattern in which the client repeats or imitates words or phrases spoken by another individual. True False

True

A client with Schizophrenia is exhibiting delusions, hallucinations, minimal self care & hyperactive behavior. Which of these observations would the nurse document as a negative symptom of schizophrenia? a. Minimal self-care b. Delusions c. Hallucinations d. Inappropriate affect

a. Minimal self-care

The overall goal of psychiatric rehabilitation is for the client to gain a. control of symptoms. b. freedom from hospitalization. c. management of anxiety. d. recovery from the illness.

d. recovery from the illness.

Thought broadcasting is the false belief that someone is inserting thoughts into one's mind against his or her will. True False

False

In communicating with a client experiencing a delusion, it is important for the nurse to avoid confronting the false belief. True False

True

New prominent theories suggest that alterations in both the levels of dopamine and serotonin are involved in schizophrenia. True False

True

A teaching plan for the client taking an antipsychotic medication will include which instructions? (select all) a. Apply sunscreen before going outdoors. b. Drink sugar-free beverages for dry mouth c. Have serum blood levels drawn once a month d. Rise slowly from a sitting position e. Skip any dose that is not taken on time. f. Take medication with food to avoid nausea.

a. Apply sunscreen before going outdoors. b. Drink sugar-free beverages for dry mouth d. Rise slowly from a sitting position

The nurse is evaluating the plan of care for a client with schizophrenia. Which observation best suggests that the plan has been effective? a. The client has resumed employment and attends social functions. b. The client no longer believes that the client has special powers. c. The client has been engaging in more conversation with the staff. d. The client reports that the client no longer has hallucinations.

a. The client has resumed employment and attends social functions. Rationale: Major goals for the care of a client with schizophrenia are to experience improved thought processes and fewer psychotic symptoms, to not engage in violent behavior, to acquire improved social skills and engage in satisfying social interaction, and to gain knowledge about the disease process and treatment. Increased conversations with the staff is unrelated to the overall plan of care for the client with schizophrenia.

A nurse who works in a psychiatry unit finds that young clients with schizophrenia have worse prognoses when compared with clients who are diagnosed later in life. Which reasons should lead the nurse to make this observation? Select all that apply. a. They are less likely to have experiences of independent living. b. They are inherently more susceptible to a poor prognosis. c. They are less adherent to the treatment schedule. d. They are not able to accurately communicate their issues and concerns. e. They have less sense of personal identity.

a. They are less likely to have experiences of independent living. b. They are inherently more susceptible to a poor prognosis. e. They have less sense of personal identity.

When the client describes fear of leaving his apartment as well as the desire to get out and meet others, it is called a. ambivalence b. anhedonia c. alogia d. avoidance.

a. ambivalence

What is Oculogyric crisis? a. is an acute dystonic reaction of the ocular muscles characterized by bilateral dystonic elevation of visual gaze lasting from seconds to hours b. Visual problem with the eye c. Cellulitis of the eye d. Edema due to fluid retention.

a. is an acute dystonic reaction of the ocular muscles characterized by bilateral dystonic elevation of visual gaze lasting from seconds to hours

A client diagnosed with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "I hear the voice of Elvis." Which is the most therapeutic response by the nurse? a. "Don't worry about the voice as long as it doesn't belong to anyone real." b. "I don't hear the voice, but I know you hear what sounds like a voice." c. "You know that Elvis has been dead for years." d. "You shouldn't focus on Elvis's voice."

b. "I don't hear the voice, but I know you hear what sounds like a voice." Rationale: Acknowledging that the client hears what sounds like a voice states reality about the client's hallucination. The other options are judgmental and demeaning.

Which medication is used to control the extrapyramidal effects associated with antipsychotic medications? a. Chlorpromazine b. Benzotropine c. Thioridazine d. Haloperidol

b. Benzotropine Rationale: Benzotropine is an anticholinergic drug used to relieve drug-induced extrapyramidal adverse effects, such as muscle weakness, involuntary muscle movement, pseudoparkinsonism, and tardive dyskinesia.

Which speech pattern is exhibited by the client stating, "I will take a pill if I go up the hill but not if my name is Jill, I don't want to kill?" a. Neologism b. Clang association c. Word salad d. Verbigeration

b. Clang association Rationale: Clang associations are ideas that are related to one another based on sound or rhyming rather than meaning. Neologisms are words invented by the client. A verbigeration is the stereotyped repetition of words or phrases that may or may not have meaning to the listener. A word salad is a combination of jumbled words and phrases that are disconnected or incoherent and make no sense to the listener.

Which of the following are considered to be positive signs of schizophrenia? (select all) a. Anhedonia b. Delusions c. Hallucinations d. Disorganized thinking e. Illusions f. Social withdrawal

b. Delusions c. Hallucinations d. Disorganized thinking

The nurse suspects that a client is experiencing a brief psychotic episode based on what? Select all that apply. a. Mild confusion b. Evidence of hallucinations c. Intense changes in affect d. Recent life stressor e. Gradual onset of symptoms

b. Evidence of hallucinations c. Intense changes in affect d. Recent life stressor Rationale:In brief psychotic disorder, the length of the episode is at least 1 day but less than 1 month. The onset is sudden and includes at least one of the positive symptoms of criteria A for schizophrenia (delusions or hallucinations). The person generally experiences overwhelming confusion and rapid, intense shifts of affect. Brief psychotic disorder can often occur in the context of a recent life stressor such as giving birth.

The nurse is planning discharge teaching for a client taking clozapine (Clozaril). Which teaching is essential to include? a. Caution the client not to be outdoors in the sunshine without protective clothing. b. Remind the client to go to the lab to have blood drawn for a white blood cell count. c. Instruct the client about dietary restrictions. d. Give the client a chart to record the daily pulse rate.

b. Remind the client to go to the lab to have blood drawn for a white blood cell count.

A client hears voices telling him that he is a terrible person who would be better off dead. What would be a priority nursing diagnosis for the nurse to select for the care plan? a. Impaired verbal Communication b. Risk for violence-self directed c. Impaired Sensory Perception d. Impaired Social Interaction

b. Risk for violence-self directed

A client diagnosed with schizophrenia states to the nurse, "My intestines are being eaten by snakes." This statement represents which type of delusion? a. Referential delusion b. Somatic delusion c. Grandiose delusion d. Persecutory delusion

b. Somatic delusion Rationale: Somatic delusions are generally vague and unrealistic beliefs about the client's health or bodily functions. Persecutory delusions involve the client's belief that "others" are planning to harm the client or are spying, following, or belittling the client in some way. Grandiose delusions are characterized by the client's claim to associate with famous people or celebrities or the client's belief that he or she is famous or capable of great feats. Referential delusions or ideas of reference involve the client's belief that television broadcasts, music, or newspaper articles have special meaning for him or her.

The nurse would conclude that a client with schizophrenia is exhibiting positive symptoms of the disorder after noting that the patient does which of the following? Select all that apply> a. Exhibits lack of energy b. States he is a king c. Repeats words the nurse says d. Has a flat affect e. Withdraws from other people.

b. States he is a king c. Repeats words the nurse says

The client who hesitates 30 seconds before responding to any question is described as having a. blunted affect b. latency of response c. paranoid delusions d. poverty of speech.

b. latency of response

Which of the following statements would indicate family teaching about schizophrenia had been effective? a. "If our son takes his medication properly, he won't have another psychotic episode." b. "I guess we'll have to face the fact that our daughter will eventually be institutionalized." c. "It's a relief to find out that we did not cause our son's schizophrenia." d. "It is a shame our daughter will never be able to have children."

c. "It's a relief to find out that we did not cause our son's schizophrenia."

A client diagnosed with schizophrenia has been prescribed clozapine. Which is a potentially fatal side effect of this medication? a. Tardive dyskinesia b. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome c. Agranulocytosis d. Dystonia

c. Agranulocytosis Rationale: Agranulocytosis is manifested by a failure of the bone marrow to produce adequate white blood cells. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a life-threatening reaction to neuroleptic medication that requires immediate treatment. Tardive dyskinesia causes involuntary movements of the tongue, mouth, facial muscles, and arm and leg muscles. Dystonia is characterized by cramps and rigidity of the tongue, face, neck, and back muscles.

A married couple arrives at the outpatient clinic. Upon assessment, the nurse finds that the couple believes that the police have been following them and tapping their phones for 2 months. This couple most likely suffers from which disorder? a. Psychotic disorder, not otherwise specified b. Conjugal delusion c. Folie à deux d. Delusional disorder, paranoid type

c. Folie à deux Rationale: Shared psychotic disorder, or folie à deux, involves two individuals who have a close relationship and share the same delusion. This occurrence is attributed to the strong influence of the more dominant person. It is seen more frequently in women who are isolated by language, culture, or geography. Such persons are often related by blood or marriage and have lived together for an extended period of time. Contributing factors include old age, low intelligence, sensory impairment, cerebrovascular disease, and alcohol abuse. This disorder has been diagnosed in twins and individuals, both of whom had a chronic psychotic disorder. This disorder also has occurred in a group of individuals or in families in which the parent is the primary case (inducer).

A client who has a major depressive episode tells the nurse that, for the past 2 weeks, the client has been hearing voices and at times thinks that someone is following the client. A history reveals that the client has had these alternating symptoms before. The client also has experienced time with neither of these symptoms and has been able to function adequately. The nurse interprets these findings as suggesting: a. Brief psychotic disorder b. Paranoid schizophrenia c. Schizoaffective disorder d. Undifferentiated schizophrenia

c. Schizoaffective disorder Rationale: Schizoaffective disorder is characterized by intervals of intense symptoms between quiescent periods. At times, there are symptoms of schizophrenia, and at other times, there seems to be a mood disorder. Because the symptoms alternate with quiet periods, schizophrenia, either paranoid or undifferentiated, would not apply. A brief psychotic episode involves symptoms of at least 1 day but less than 1 month, and the onset is sudden. The client generally experiences emotional turmoil or overwhelming confusion and rapid intense shifts of affect.

When obtaining a client's history, a nurse determines that the client has been experiencing delusions and hallucinations for the past 3 months, which has caused some problems in the client's ability to function at work. The client also is exhibiting catatonic excitement, echopraxia, loose associations, and pressured speech. The nurse suspects which condition? a. Brief psychotic disorder b. Schizoaffective disorder c. Schizophreniform disorder d. Schizophrenia

c. Schizophreniform disorder Rationale: The essential features of schizophreniform disorder are identical to those of criteria A for schizophrenia (delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, negative symptoms), with the exception of the duration of the illness, which can be less than 6 months but with symptoms present for at least 1 month. Schizophrenia would be as described, but the symptoms must persist for at least 6 months. In brief psychotic disorder, the length of the episode is at least 1 day but less than 1 month. With schizoaffective disorder, the client must have an uninterrupted period of illness when there is a major depressive, manic, or mixed episode along with two of the following symptoms of schizophrenia: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized or catatonic behavior, or negative symptoms.

Which is a nonneurologic side effect of antipsychotic medications? a. Seizures b. Dystonia c. Weight gain d. Akathisia

c. Weight gain Rationale: Weight gain is a nonneurologic side effect of antipsychotic medications.

A client is being released from the inpatient psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and treatment with antipsychotic medications. After teaching the client and family about managing the disorder, the nurse determines that the education was effective when they state that which should be reported immediately? a. tremor b. decreased blood pressure c. elevated temperature d. weight gain

c. elevated temperature Rationale: Clients receiving antipsychotic therapy need to be alerted to the potential for complications, including neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a life-threatening condition that can occur with antipsychotic agents. This syndrome is manifested by severe muscle rigidity and elevated temperature that can rapidly accelerate. The nurse should instruct the client to seek immediate care if an elevated temperature develops. Tremor also should be reported, but this is not a life-threatening manifestation. Decreased blood pressure and weight gain can occur with antipsychotic agents, but these are not life threatening.

A client tells the nurse that the client has bugs in the client's brain and asks the nurse if the nurse can see them. Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic? a. "Your thinking is a little illogical. I wouldn't be able to see bugs if they were inside your brain. Would you like to talk more about this?" b. "You have a thought disorder and only think you have bugs in your brain. There really aren't any. You don't have to worry because we would give you medicine for any medical problems." c. "No, I don't see any bugs. You seriously can't have any bugs in your brain." d. "No, I don't see any bugs. That sounds scary for you."

d. "No, I don't see any bugs. That sounds scary for you." Rationale: The person who hallucinates is preoccupied and frightened by what he or she hears or sees. The hallucination is real to the client, and the nurse cannot argue away, dismiss, or ignore it. Although the hallucination is real to the client, nurses make it clear that they do not hear the voices or see the visual images. Nurses do, however, communicate concern that the client is bothered, upset, or frightened by the hallucination.

The family of a client with schizophrenia asks the nurse about the difference between conventional and atypical antipsychotic medications. The nurse's best answer may include which information? a. Atypical antipsychotics are newer medications but act in the same ways as conventional antipsychotics. b. Conventional antipsychotics are dopamine antagonists; atypical antipsychotics inhibit the reuptake of serotonin. c. Conventional antipsychotics have serious side effects; atypical antipsychotics have virtually no side effects. d. Atypical antipsychotics are dopamine and serotonin antagonists; conventional antipsychotics are only dopamine antagonists.

d. Atypical antipsychotics are dopamine and serotonin antagonists; conventional antipsychotics are only dopamine antagonists.

Which medication classification has been most effective in treating akathisia? a. Antianxiety b. Sedatives c. Antimanics d. Beta-blockers

d. Beta-blockers Rationale: Beta-blockers, such as propranolol, have been most effective in treating akathisia (movement disorder - feeling inner restlessness).

A client states that he is able to receive radio waves from aliens because they placed a computer chip in his brain. The nurse would document this behavior as which of the following in the medical record? a. A hallucination b. Reality-orientation c. Illusion d. Delusion

d. Delusion

The nurse is caring for a client who has been taking fluphenazine (Prolixin) for 2 days. The client suddenly cries out, his neck twists to one side, and his eyes appear to roll back in the sockets. The nurse finds the following PRN medications ordered for the client. Which one should the nurse administer? a. Benztropine (Cogentin), 2 mg PO, bid, PRN b. Fluphenazine (Prolixin), 2 mg PO, tid, PRN c. Haloperidol (Haldol), 5 mg IM, PRN extreme agitation d. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), 25 mg IM, PRN

d. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), 25 mg IM, PRN

What term is used to describe the speech pattern being used when the client imitates or repeats what the nurse is saying? a. Clang associations b. Word salad c. Neologisms d. Echolalia

d. Echolalia Rationale: Echolalia is the client's imitation or repetition of what the nurse says. Neologisms are words invented by the client. Clang associations are ideas that are related to one another based on sound or rhyming rather than meaning. A word salad is a combination of jumbled words and phrases that are disconnected or incoherent and make no sense to the listener.

A client diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and severe depression is being treated with antipsychotic medications. The client tells the nurse about difficulty with self-care activities. With which intervention should the nurse respond? a. Outline the side effects of the medications. b. Gain assistance from family members. c. Contact the physician for a change in medications. d. Establish a routine and set goals.

d. Establish a routine and set goals. Rationale: The most useful approach for the nurse to try is to help the client establish a routine and set goals for accomplishing the activities of daily living.

How often must clients receiving clozapine get white blood cell counts drawn? a. Every 3 months b. Every 6 months c. Every year d. Every week for the first 6 months

d. Every week for the first 6 months Rationale: Clients taking clozapine must have weekly white blood cell counts for the first 6 months of clozapine therapy and every 2 weeks thereafter.

A client with schizophrenia is hearing voices that tell the client to kill the self. What term is used to identify this type of false sensory perception? a. Delusion b. Flight of ideas c. Ideas of reference d. Hallucination

d. Hallucination Rationale: A hallucination is a sensory perception, such as hearing voices and seeing objects, that only the client experiences. A delusion is a false belief. Flight of ideas refers to a speech pattern in which the client skips from one unrelated subject to another. Ideas of reference refers to the mistaken belief that someone or something outside the client is controlling the client's ideas or behavior.

A client is watching the news and tells the nurse that the newscaster is sending a message to the client. What term is used to identify this symptom? a. Flight of idea b. Delusion c. Hallucination d. Idea of reference

d. Idea of reference Rationale: Ideas of reference refers to the mistaken belief that external events have special meaning to the individual, such as the television newscaster sending a message directly to the individual. A delusion is a false belief. A hallucination is a sensory perception, such as hearing voices and seeing objects, that only the client experiences. Flight of ideas is a speech pattern in which the client skips from one unrelated subject to another.

A client is being seen in the health clinic. The nurse observes a shuffling gait, drooling, and slowness of movement. The client is currently taking an antipsychotic for treatment of schizophrenia. The nurse knows that which side effect is occurring? a. Dystonic movements b. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome c. Akathisia d. Pseudoparkinsonism

d. Pseudoparkinsonism Rationale: Pseudoparkinsonism is exhibited by a shuffling gait, drooling, and slowness of movement. Dystonia is characterized by cramps and rigidity of the tongue, face, neck, and back muscles. Akathisia causes restlessness, anxiety, and jitteriness. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome causes rigidity, fever, hypertension, and diaphoresis.

A client has been taking neuroleptic medications for many years as a treatment for schizophrenia. The client is exhibiting tongue protrusion, facial grimacing, and excessive blinking. These manifestations are characteristic of which extrapyramidal side effects (EPS)? a. Akathisia b. Dystonia c. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome d. Tardive dyskinesia

d. Tardive dyskinesia Rationale: Unusual movements of the tongue, neck, and arms suggest tardive dyskinesia, an adverse reaction to neuroleptic medication. Dystonia is characterized by cramps and rigidity of the tongue, face, neck, and back muscles. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome causes rigidity, fever, hypertension, and diaphoresis. Akathisia causes restlessness, anxiety, and jitteriness.

A client diagnosed with schizophrenia states, "I want to go home, go home, go home." This is an example of which speech pattern? a. Clang association b. Word salad c. Neologisms d. Verbigeration

d. Verbigeration Rationale: A verbigeration is the stereotyped repetition of words or phrases that may or may not have meaning to the listener. Clang associations are ideas that are related to one another based on sound or rhyming rather than meaning. Neologisms are words invented by the client. A word salad is a combination of jumbled words and phrases that are disconnected or incoherent and make no sense to the listener.