Q.1 Which nursing intervention is most appropriate for a patient experiencing auditory hallucinations?
Encourage the patient to talk about the voices
Ignore the patient's experience of hallucinations
Restrain the patient immediately
Leave the patient alone until hallucinations stop
Explanation - Encouraging the patient to verbalize hallucinations helps the nurse assess content, reduce anxiety, and establish trust.
Correct answer is: Encourage the patient to talk about the voices
Q.2 What is a priority nursing diagnosis for a patient with schizophrenia who is socially withdrawn?
Risk for self-directed violence
Impaired social interaction
Disturbed sensory perception
Ineffective breathing pattern
Explanation - Social withdrawal is a common negative symptom of schizophrenia, making impaired social interaction the priority nursing diagnosis.
Correct answer is: Impaired social interaction
Q.3 Which antipsychotic medication is considered first-line treatment for schizophrenia?
Haloperidol
Clozapine
Risperidone
Lithium
Explanation - Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic commonly used as first-line therapy due to fewer extrapyramidal side effects.
Correct answer is: Risperidone
Q.4 A patient with schizophrenia is showing disorganized speech. What is the best nursing response?
Correct the patient's speech immediately
Listen patiently and seek clarification
Ignore the speech
Tell the patient to be quiet
Explanation - Active listening helps the nurse understand the patient’s thoughts, promotes trust, and reduces frustration.
Correct answer is: Listen patiently and seek clarification
Q.5 Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a patient with paranoid schizophrenia?
Force participation in group activities
Avoid discussing the patient's fears
Maintain a calm, non-threatening environment
Encourage rapid decision-making
Explanation - A calm environment reduces anxiety and suspicion in paranoid patients, helping them feel safe.
Correct answer is: Maintain a calm, non-threatening environment
Q.6 What is a common side effect of typical antipsychotics that nurses should monitor?
Extrapyramidal symptoms
Hypertension
Hyperglycemia
Renal failure
Explanation - Typical antipsychotics often cause EPS, including dystonia, akathisia, and parkinsonism.
Correct answer is: Extrapyramidal symptoms
Q.7 Which nursing intervention helps prevent relapse in patients with schizophrenia?
Discontinue medications when symptoms improve
Encourage adherence to prescribed medications
Limit patient education about the illness
Avoid community support services
Explanation - Medication adherence is key to preventing relapse in schizophrenia patients.
Correct answer is: Encourage adherence to prescribed medications
Q.8 A patient with schizophrenia becomes agitated and threatening. What is the first nursing action?
Administer PRN antipsychotic immediately
Call for assistance and ensure safety
Argue with the patient
Leave the patient alone
Explanation - Safety is always the priority; staff assistance is required to prevent harm.
Correct answer is: Call for assistance and ensure safety
Q.9 What is the primary goal of nursing care for a patient with negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
Reduce hallucinations
Promote social engagement and daily functioning
Increase psychotic behaviors
Induce sleep
Explanation - Negative symptoms include apathy and social withdrawal; nursing care aims to enhance functioning and quality of life.
Correct answer is: Promote social engagement and daily functioning
Q.10 Which intervention is most effective for a patient experiencing command hallucinations?
Ignore the hallucinations
Assess risk and ensure safety
Encourage dangerous behavior to release tension
Tell the patient the voices are imaginary
Explanation - Command hallucinations may lead to harm; safety assessment is crucial before any therapeutic intervention.
Correct answer is: Assess risk and ensure safety
Q.11 A patient with schizophrenia has poor self-care. What nursing strategy is most appropriate?
Complete hygiene for the patient entirely
Encourage and assist with self-care activities
Ignore hygiene deficits
Force the patient to bathe
Explanation - Assisting while promoting independence helps improve self-care without increasing dependence.
Correct answer is: Encourage and assist with self-care activities
Q.12 Which nursing intervention helps a patient with schizophrenia manage delusions?
Confront the delusion directly
Validate the patient's feelings and provide reality orientation
Encourage isolation
Ignore the delusion completely
Explanation - Validating emotions while gently orienting to reality reduces distress without reinforcing false beliefs.
Correct answer is: Validate the patient's feelings and provide reality orientation
Q.13 Which assessment finding indicates extrapyramidal side effects in a patient on antipsychotics?
Tremors, rigidity, and shuffling gait
Increased urination
Weight loss
Bradycardia
Explanation - These are classic signs of EPS, a side effect of many antipsychotic medications.
Correct answer is: Tremors, rigidity, and shuffling gait
Q.14 Which nursing intervention promotes therapeutic communication with a psychotic patient?
Speak slowly and clearly
Use medical jargon
Interrupt frequently to correct thoughts
Avoid eye contact
Explanation - Clear, slow speech reduces confusion and helps the patient process information.
Correct answer is: Speak slowly and clearly
Q.15 A patient with schizophrenia is noncompliant with medications due to side effects. The nurse should:
Force medication administration
Educate the patient about side effect management
Ignore the noncompliance
Discontinue all medications immediately
Explanation - Patient education and management of side effects improve adherence and treatment outcomes.
Correct answer is: Educate the patient about side effect management
Q.16 Which nursing action is appropriate for a patient exhibiting catatonia?
Provide nutrition and hydration support
Ignore the behavior
Encourage excessive physical activity
Restrain the patient immediately
Explanation - Catatonic patients may neglect basic needs; nurses must ensure essential care.
Correct answer is: Provide nutrition and hydration support
Q.17 Which environmental modification helps reduce agitation in psychotic patients?
Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment
Increase noise and activity
Allow unrestricted movement in all areas
Isolate the patient completely
Explanation - Reducing stimuli helps prevent escalation of agitation and anxiety.
Correct answer is: Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment
Q.18 Which patient behavior indicates improvement in schizophrenia negative symptoms?
Initiating social interactions
Reporting hallucinations
Exhibiting paranoid delusions
Showing aggression
Explanation - Negative symptoms include social withdrawal; proactive engagement indicates improvement.
Correct answer is: Initiating social interactions
Q.19 Which nursing intervention is appropriate for managing a patient with schizophrenia experiencing anxiety?
Teach relaxation techniques and coping strategies
Encourage denial of anxiety
Increase environmental stressors
Avoid discussing feelings
Explanation - Coping strategies and relaxation techniques reduce anxiety and enhance patient control.
Correct answer is: Teach relaxation techniques and coping strategies
Q.20 Which laboratory test should be monitored in a patient taking clozapine?
Complete blood count (CBC)
Blood glucose only
Liver enzymes only
Renal function tests only
Explanation - Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis; regular CBC monitoring is essential for safety.
Correct answer is: Complete blood count (CBC)
Q.21 Which nursing action promotes adherence in schizophrenia patients with poor insight?
Use motivational interviewing techniques
Force medication administration
Avoid patient education
Disregard noncompliance
Explanation - Motivational interviewing helps patients explore ambivalence and improves treatment adherence.
Correct answer is: Use motivational interviewing techniques
Q.22 What is a priority outcome for a patient with schizophrenia who exhibits aggression?
Patient and staff remain safe
Patient completes all activities independently
Patient achieves full insight
Patient gains weight
Explanation - Safety is always the priority in patients displaying aggression.
Correct answer is: Patient and staff remain safe
Q.23 Which nursing intervention is essential for a patient with schizophrenia and poor reality testing?
Provide reality orientation and structured routines
Encourage reinforcement of delusions
Minimize patient interaction
Avoid providing explanations
Explanation - Structured routines and gentle reality orientation help patients with impaired reality testing stay oriented.
Correct answer is: Provide reality orientation and structured routines
Q.24 Which intervention is appropriate when a patient with schizophrenia refuses food due to paranoid delusions?
Respect refusal and encourage small, safe portions
Force the patient to eat
Ignore nutrition needs
Leave food unattended
Explanation - Gentle encouragement respects autonomy while ensuring safety and nutrition.
Correct answer is: Respect refusal and encourage small, safe portions
Q.25 Which is the most effective nursing intervention for managing medication side effects in schizophrenia?
Educate patient about side effects and management strategies
Ignore patient complaints
Stop medication immediately
Switch medications without consultation
Explanation - Patient education empowers adherence and helps manage minor side effects effectively.
Correct answer is: Educate patient about side effects and management strategies