Signs and Symptoms
This symptom involves hearing voices that are not present.
What are auditory hallucinations?
A patient states, "The TV is sending me secret messages." What is the best nursing response?
"I understand that it is real to you, but I do not see evidence of that."
This class of medications is commonly used to treat schizophrenia.
What are antipsychotics?
Which symptom requires immediate follow-up: flat affect, social withdrawal, command hallucinations, or poor grooming?
What are command hallucinations?
Positive symptoms are excesses or distortions of normal functioning. True or False?
True
These symptoms include flat affect, social withdrawal, and lack of motivation.
What are negative symptoms?
Why should nurses avoid arguing with delusions?
Arguing can increase defensiveness and distrust.
Name one atypical antipsychotic.
What is olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, aripiprazole, or clozapine?
A patient refuses medication because they believe it is poison. What symptom is being demonstrated?
What is a paranoid delusion?
Which symptom is most associated with poor long-term functioning?
What is Negative symptoms
A patient believes the FBI implanted a chip in their brain. This is an example of what?
What is a delusion?
A patient is responding to unseen voices. What is the priority nursing intervention?
Assess the content of the hallucination and ensure safety.
Life-threatening antipsychotic reaction?
What is Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)?
A patient is pacing, yelling, and becoming increasingly agitated. What is the priority nursing concern?
What is the risk of violence?
Which nursing diagnosis is highest priority for a patient experiencing command hallucinations?
What is Risk for Self-Directed or Other-Directed Violence
A patient suddenly stops speaking in the middle of a sentence and cannot continue their thought.
What is thought blocking?
A patient says, "The voices tell me I'm worthless." What should the nurse assess next?
Assess for self-harm or suicide risk.
Clozapine requires monitoring of this laboratory value.
What is the white blood cell count/absolute neutrophil count (ANC).
A patient with schizophrenia suddenly becomes mute and rigid. What type of schizophrenia-related behavior is this?
What is catatonia?
A patient receiving haloperidol develops a fever of 103°F and severe rigidity. What should the nurse do first?
What is Hold medication and notify the provider immediately.
Name three positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
What are hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech?
A patient reports command hallucinations telling them to hurt someone. What is the priority action?
Ensure immediate safety and notify the provider/team.
A patient taking risperidone develops muscle rigidity and tremors. What adverse effect is occuring?
What are extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)?
Highest nursing priority for a schizophrenic patient?
Most common hallucination in schizophrenia?
What is Auditory