1 :

Hint : Acknowledge feelings, not hallucination

Correct Answers:

  • "The voices must be scary for you. Would you like to talk more about how you are feeling."


Rationale :

🟢 This response acknowledges the client’s feelings without reinforcing or denying the hallucination.

🟢 It demonstrates empathy and therapeutic communication, opening the door for the client to express emotions safely.

🟢 Confronting the hallucination directly (telling them it’s not real) can increase defensiveness, while agreeing with it reinforces delusions.

🟢 Offering support and active listening helps build trust and rapport, essential for clients with schizophrenia.


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2 :

Hint : Consistency builds trust

Correct Answers:

  • Assign consistent staff members to care for this client.


Rationale :

🔵 Clients with schizophrenia, especially those with paranoia, require predictability and consistency in care.

🔵 Having the same staff fosters trust, reduces anxiety, and minimizes suspicion.

🔵 Encouraging group activities or challenging beliefs too soon can increase stress and mistrust.

🔵 Establishing a stable nurse-client relationship is the foundation for further interventions.


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3 :

Hint : EPS relief = anticholinergic

Correct Answers:

  • benztropine (Cogentin)


Rationale :

🟡 Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) include restlessness, tremors, muscle rigidity, and abnormal involuntary movements caused by dopamine blockade from antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol).

🟡 Benztropine is an anticholinergic that relieves EPS by restoring the dopamine-acetylcholine balance in the CNS.

🟡 This helps reduce tremors and muscle stiffness without worsening psychosis.


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4 :

Hint : Benadryl = EPS backup

Correct Answers:

  • diphenhydramine (Benadryl)


Rationale :

🟢 Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) are side effects of antipsychotics that include tremors, muscle rigidity, and dystonic reactions.

🟢 First-line treatment is usually benztropine (Cogentin), an anticholinergic.

🟢 If the client cannot tolerate benztropine due to side effects, diphenhydramine is given as an alternative because it also has anticholinergic properties.

🟢 It works by restoring balance between dopamine and acetylcholine in the central nervous system.

🟢 Nurses must monitor for sedation and anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth or blurred vision.


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5 :

Hint : Supervise + secure + assess history

Correct Answers:

  • Initiate one-on-one supervision
  • Remove potentially harmful objects from the room
  • Determine history of suicide attempts


Rationale :

A. Initiate one-on-one supervision

🟢 Clients with suicidal thoughts or behaviors require constant monitoring to ensure immediate safety.

🟢 One-on-one observation means a staff member remains with the client at all times, which helps prevent impulsive suicide attempts.

🟢 This intervention also provides an opportunity for therapeutic interaction, allowing the client to express emotions and feel supported.

🟢 It is considered the highest level of suicide precaution in acute care settings.

C. Remove potentially harmful objects from the room

🟣 Environmental safety is critical because suicidal clients may attempt self-harm with everyday items.

🟣 Objects such as sharp instruments, belts, shoelaces, medications, cords, and glass should be removed or secured.

🟣 Creating a safe space reduces access to means of suicide while other treatments and monitoring are in place.

🟣 This is one of the most immediate and effective nursing interventions to reduce risk.

D. Determine history of suicide attempts

🔵 A history of prior attempts is the strongest predictor of future suicide risk.

🔵 Assessing past behaviors provides insight into the client’s level of intent, method used, and likelihood of acting on thoughts again.

🔵 This information guides the care plan and level of observation required.

🔵 It also helps the healthcare team anticipate potential triggers and provide targeted support.


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6 :

Hint : Explore relapse triggers

Correct Answers:

  • "Let's talk more about what triggers you to drink alcohol."


Rationale :

🟢 This response reflects therapeutic communication because it is open-ended, nonjudgmental, and allows the client to explore the underlying reasons for relapse.

🟢 By focusing on triggers, the nurse helps the client identify situations, feelings, or conflicts (like the fight with his wife) that contribute to drinking behavior.

🟢 This approach empowers the client to recognize risky patterns and supports development of coping strategies for stress management.

🟢 It builds trust and shows empathy rather than dismissing or confronting the client harshly.


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7 :

Hint : Negative = loss of normal function

Correct Answers:

  • Anhedonia
  • Affective blunting
  • Alogia


Rationale :

A. Anhedonia

🟢 Anhedonia is the inability to experience pleasure in activities that once brought enjoyment.

🟢 It is considered a negative symptom because it reflects a reduction in normal emotional functioning, rather than the addition of abnormal experiences.

🟢 Clients may appear disinterested in hobbies, relationships, or daily activities, which contributes to social withdrawal and isolation.

🟢 This loss of motivation can impair rehabilitation efforts and make recovery more challenging.

B. Affective blunting

🔵 Affective blunting refers to a significant reduction in emotional expression, often presenting as a flat affect or dull, unchanging facial expression.

🔵 It represents a loss of normal responsiveness, where clients may not show happiness, sadness, or concern even in emotionally charged situations.

🔵 This symptom interferes with social interactions and relationships, as others may perceive the client as uninterested or detached.

🔵 It is a hallmark negative symptom that often persists despite antipsychotic treatment.

E. Alogia

🟣 Alogia is a poverty of speech, marked by very brief or empty responses to questions.

🟣 It reflects impaired thought processes and reduced verbal productivity, making it difficult for clients to engage in conversation.

🟣 Nurses may notice delays in responses or one-word answers, even when more detail is expected.

🟣 This negatively impacts communication, trust building, and social functioning, requiring patience and supportive approaches from caregivers.


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8 :

Hint : Genetics = strongest risk

Correct Answers:

  • The client reports a family history of psychosis.


Rationale :

🟣 Genetics is the strongest risk factor for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

🟣 A family history indicates a biological predisposition, increasing likelihood of an acute psychotic episode under stress.

🟣 While stressors or behaviors may contribute, they are not as predictive as heredity.

🟣 Nurses must be alert to this risk for early recognition and intervention.


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9 :

Hint : Withdrawal → seizure risk

Correct Answers:

  • The client is withdrawing from alcohol and may need treatment to prevent seizures.


Rationale :

🔴 Elevated HR, hypertension, tremors, and recent cessation of alcohol use are classic early withdrawal symptoms.

🔴 Alcohol withdrawal can progress to seizures or delirium tremens (DTs), which are life-threatening if untreated.

🔴 Treatment includes benzodiazepines, fluids, thiamine, and close monitoring.

🔴 Recognizing early withdrawal allows the nurse to prevent complications and maintain patient safety.


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10 :

Hint : Ensure privacy for safety

Correct Answers:

  • Try to make arrangements to interview the woman alone.


Rationale :

🟢 Privacy is essential to allow the client to safely disclose abuse without the abuser’s presence.

🟢 Abusers often control conversations and intimidate victims, preventing them from speaking truthfully.

🟢 Interviewing the woman alone shows respect, promotes trust, and is a necessary step in abuse assessment.

🟢 The nurse must follow protocols but avoid direct confrontation in front of the partner, which may increase danger.


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Total Questions: 10

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