Reality Check
Schizophrenia is a disorder that primarily affects these three areas.
What are thinking, feeling, and behavior?
This neurotransmitter is strongly associated with schizophrenia.
What is dopamine?
Lip smacking, tongue movements, and repetitive facial movements are signs of:
What is tardive dyskinesia?
A patient has no motivation to shower, eat, or socialize. This is an example of:
What are negative symptoms?
First-generation antipsychotics are also called:
What are typical/conventional antipsychotics?
A person believes something false despite evidence proving otherwise. This is called:
What is a delusion?
Brain changes seen in schizophrenia may include decreased brain volume, enlarged ventricles, and this lobe’s atrophy.
What is the frontal lobe?
A patient develops severe muscle rigidity, fever, and confusion after taking an antipsychotic. The nurse suspects:
What is neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)?
A patient develops neck spasms shortly after starting haloperidol. This is:
What is acute dystonia (EPS)?
This medication is a second-generation antipsychotic used for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
What is quetiapine (Seroquel)?
A patient hears voices when no one is speaking. This is an example of:
What is an auditory hallucination?
The phase where early warning signs occur before full symptoms develop.
What is the prodromal phase?
First-generation antipsychotics are more likely to cause this than second-generation medications.
What are EPS symptoms?
A patient cannot sit still and constantly paces after starting an antipsychotic. This is:
What is akathisia?
This medication is available as a long-acting injectable option, which may help patients who struggle with medication adherence.
What are risperidone, paliperidone, or other long-acting injectable antipsychotics?
A patient says, “The government implanted a chip in my brain to control me.” This is an example of:
What is a paranoid delusion?
A patient’s positive symptoms decrease after treatment. This phase is called:
What is the stabilization phase?
The nurse notices a patient staring, laughing alone, and appearing distracted. The nurse should assess for:
What are internal stimuli/hallucinations?
This second-generation (atypical) antipsychotic requires monitoring for metabolic effects such as weight gain, diabetes, and lipid abnormalities.
What is olanzapine (Zyprexa)?
A patient taking ziprasidone should have monitoring related to this cardiac concern.
What is QT prolongation?
Apathy, lack of motivation, and anhedonia are examples of:
What are negative symptoms?
Other neurotransmitters involved in schizophrenia include serotonin, glutamate, and:
What are NMDA receptors?
A patient taking clozapine reports fever and sore throat. The nurse’s priority action is:
What is notify the provider and obtain a white blood cell count because of the risk for agranulocytosis?
This antipsychotic is reserved for treatment-resistant schizophrenia and patients with persistent suicidal risk because of its effectiveness but serious monitoring requirements.
What is clozapine (Clozaril)?
A patient taking antipsychotics develops tremors, rigidity, and slowed movement. This is called:
What is pseudoparkinsonism?