PSYCHOLOGY IN HEALTHCARE
SCHIZOPHRENIA
WRITTEN EXAM
Q&A
2024
1. John, a 25-year-old man, was diagnosed with schizophrenia two
years ago. He has been taking antipsychotic medication regularly,
but he still experiences auditory hallucinations and delusions of
persecution. He believes that his neighbors are spying on him and
plotting to harm him. He also hears voices that tell him to kill
himself or others. Which of the following is the most appropriate
nursing intervention for John?
a) Encourage him to ignore the voices and focus on reality.
b) Confront his delusions and challenge his irrational beliefs.
c) Acknowledge his feelings and provide a safe and supportive
environment.
d) Administer PRN medication and isolate him from other patients.
*Answer: c) Acknowledge his feelings and provide a safe and
supportive environment.*
Rationale: The nurse should not argue with or reinforce the patient's
delusions or hallucinations, as this may increase his anxiety and
agitation. The nurse should also not ignore the patient's symptoms,
as this may make him feel invalidated and isolated. The nurse
, should acknowledge the patient's feelings and perceptions, without
agreeing or disagreeing with them, and provide a safe and
supportive environment where the patient can express himself and
feel accepted. The nurse should also monitor the patient's suicidal or
homicidal ideation and intervene as needed. PRN medication and
isolation may be necessary in some cases, but they are not the first-
line interventions.
2. Mary, a 32-year-old woman, has been living with schizophrenia for
10 years. She has been hospitalized several times due to psychotic
episodes and non-adherence to treatment. She lives alone in a
subsidized apartment and receives disability benefits. She has no
family or friends who visit her or support her. She spends most of
her time watching TV or sleeping. She rarely goes out or engages in
any social activities. She has poor hygiene and nutrition habits. She
often forgets to take her medication or refuses to take it because of
the side effects. Which of the following is the most appropriate
nursing diagnosis for Mary?
a) Risk for violence related to paranoid delusions.
b) Impaired social interaction related to negative symptoms of
schizophrenia.
c) Ineffective coping related to chronic illness and lack of support
system.
d) Disturbed sensory perception related to auditory hallucinations.
*Answer: c) Ineffective coping related to chronic illness and lack of
support system.*
Rationale: Mary's case illustrates the challenges of living with
schizophrenia, especially when there is no adequate support system
or community resources. She has difficulty coping with her illness,
its symptoms, its treatment, and its consequences on her daily
functioning and quality of life. She may also experience stigma,
discrimination, isolation, and hopelessness. The nurse should assess
her coping skills and strategies, and help her identify her strengths
and resources. The nurse should also assist her in accessing
appropriate services, such as case management, psychoeducation,
psychosocial rehabilitation, peer support, etc., that can help her
improve her adherence to treatment, enhance her social skills,
increase her self-esteem, and promote her recovery.
3. Sam, a 28-year-old man, was recently diagnosed with schizophrenia
, after experiencing his first psychotic episode. He was brought to the
emergency department by his parents, who reported that he had
been acting strangely for the past few weeks. He had stopped going
to work and school, and had become withdrawn and suspicious. He
had also started talking to himself and laughing for no apparent
reason. He had expressed bizarre beliefs, such as thinking that he
was a prophet sent by God or that he had special powers to control
people's minds. He had also exhibited disorganized behavior, such
as wearing inappropriate clothes or collecting garbage from the
street. Which of the following is the most likely subtype of
schizophrenia that Sam has?
a) Paranoid schizophrenia.
b) Disorganized schizophrenia.
c) Catatonic schizophrenia.
d) Undifferentiated schizophrenia.
*Answer: d) Undifferentiated schizophrenia.*
Rationale: Sam's symptoms do not fit into any specific subtype of
schizophrenia, as he has features of both positive symptoms (such as
delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized speech) and negative
symptoms (such as social withdrawal and apathy). He also has
disorganized behavior, which is not typical of paranoid
schizophrenia, but not severe enough to qualify for disorganized
schizophrenia. He does not have any signs of catatonia, such as
stupor, rigidity, or posturing. Therefore, he is best classified as
having undifferentiated schizophrenia, which is a subtype that
applies when the patient does not meet the criteria for any other
subtype or when the patient has symptoms of more than one
subtype.
4. Lisa, a 24-year-old woman, has been diagnosed with schizophrenia
six months ago. She has been taking antipsychotic medication as
prescribed, but she still complains of feeling depressed and
hopeless. She says that she has no motivation or interest in anything,
and that she feels worthless and guilty. She also says that she has
difficulty concentrating and remembering things, and that she has
trouble communicating with others. She has no friends or hobbies,
and she spends most of her time in her room. Which of the
following is the most likely explanation for Lisa's condition?
a) She has a co-occurring major depressive disorder.
b) She has residual symptoms of schizophrenia.
SCHIZOPHRENIA
WRITTEN EXAM
Q&A
2024
1. John, a 25-year-old man, was diagnosed with schizophrenia two
years ago. He has been taking antipsychotic medication regularly,
but he still experiences auditory hallucinations and delusions of
persecution. He believes that his neighbors are spying on him and
plotting to harm him. He also hears voices that tell him to kill
himself or others. Which of the following is the most appropriate
nursing intervention for John?
a) Encourage him to ignore the voices and focus on reality.
b) Confront his delusions and challenge his irrational beliefs.
c) Acknowledge his feelings and provide a safe and supportive
environment.
d) Administer PRN medication and isolate him from other patients.
*Answer: c) Acknowledge his feelings and provide a safe and
supportive environment.*
Rationale: The nurse should not argue with or reinforce the patient's
delusions or hallucinations, as this may increase his anxiety and
agitation. The nurse should also not ignore the patient's symptoms,
as this may make him feel invalidated and isolated. The nurse
, should acknowledge the patient's feelings and perceptions, without
agreeing or disagreeing with them, and provide a safe and
supportive environment where the patient can express himself and
feel accepted. The nurse should also monitor the patient's suicidal or
homicidal ideation and intervene as needed. PRN medication and
isolation may be necessary in some cases, but they are not the first-
line interventions.
2. Mary, a 32-year-old woman, has been living with schizophrenia for
10 years. She has been hospitalized several times due to psychotic
episodes and non-adherence to treatment. She lives alone in a
subsidized apartment and receives disability benefits. She has no
family or friends who visit her or support her. She spends most of
her time watching TV or sleeping. She rarely goes out or engages in
any social activities. She has poor hygiene and nutrition habits. She
often forgets to take her medication or refuses to take it because of
the side effects. Which of the following is the most appropriate
nursing diagnosis for Mary?
a) Risk for violence related to paranoid delusions.
b) Impaired social interaction related to negative symptoms of
schizophrenia.
c) Ineffective coping related to chronic illness and lack of support
system.
d) Disturbed sensory perception related to auditory hallucinations.
*Answer: c) Ineffective coping related to chronic illness and lack of
support system.*
Rationale: Mary's case illustrates the challenges of living with
schizophrenia, especially when there is no adequate support system
or community resources. She has difficulty coping with her illness,
its symptoms, its treatment, and its consequences on her daily
functioning and quality of life. She may also experience stigma,
discrimination, isolation, and hopelessness. The nurse should assess
her coping skills and strategies, and help her identify her strengths
and resources. The nurse should also assist her in accessing
appropriate services, such as case management, psychoeducation,
psychosocial rehabilitation, peer support, etc., that can help her
improve her adherence to treatment, enhance her social skills,
increase her self-esteem, and promote her recovery.
3. Sam, a 28-year-old man, was recently diagnosed with schizophrenia
, after experiencing his first psychotic episode. He was brought to the
emergency department by his parents, who reported that he had
been acting strangely for the past few weeks. He had stopped going
to work and school, and had become withdrawn and suspicious. He
had also started talking to himself and laughing for no apparent
reason. He had expressed bizarre beliefs, such as thinking that he
was a prophet sent by God or that he had special powers to control
people's minds. He had also exhibited disorganized behavior, such
as wearing inappropriate clothes or collecting garbage from the
street. Which of the following is the most likely subtype of
schizophrenia that Sam has?
a) Paranoid schizophrenia.
b) Disorganized schizophrenia.
c) Catatonic schizophrenia.
d) Undifferentiated schizophrenia.
*Answer: d) Undifferentiated schizophrenia.*
Rationale: Sam's symptoms do not fit into any specific subtype of
schizophrenia, as he has features of both positive symptoms (such as
delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized speech) and negative
symptoms (such as social withdrawal and apathy). He also has
disorganized behavior, which is not typical of paranoid
schizophrenia, but not severe enough to qualify for disorganized
schizophrenia. He does not have any signs of catatonia, such as
stupor, rigidity, or posturing. Therefore, he is best classified as
having undifferentiated schizophrenia, which is a subtype that
applies when the patient does not meet the criteria for any other
subtype or when the patient has symptoms of more than one
subtype.
4. Lisa, a 24-year-old woman, has been diagnosed with schizophrenia
six months ago. She has been taking antipsychotic medication as
prescribed, but she still complains of feeling depressed and
hopeless. She says that she has no motivation or interest in anything,
and that she feels worthless and guilty. She also says that she has
difficulty concentrating and remembering things, and that she has
trouble communicating with others. She has no friends or hobbies,
and she spends most of her time in her room. Which of the
following is the most likely explanation for Lisa's condition?
a) She has a co-occurring major depressive disorder.
b) She has residual symptoms of schizophrenia.
