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A client with schizoaffective disorder is prescribed clozapine to treat her symptoms. Which of the following instructions would the nurse provide?
- A. Keep a record of how often and how long you experience the side effect of dry mouth.
- B. Monitor your urinary output and notify your doctor if your urine changes color.
- C. Keep an eye on your weight, and if you gain weight rapidly, notify your doctor.
- D. If you experience any drowsiness, discontinue taking this medication.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Clozapine (C) is associated with significant weight gain, a metabolic side effect requiring monitoring and reporting if rapid. Dry mouth (A) is minor, urine color changes (B) are not typical, and discontinuing for drowsiness (D) is incorrect without medical guidance.
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A client with schizophrenia is prescribed clozapine because other prescribed medications have been ineffective. After teaching the client and family about the drug, the nurse determines that the teaching was successful when they state which of the following?
- A. He needs to have an electrocardiogram periodically when taking this drug.
- B. We?ll need to make sure that he has his blood count checked at least weekly.
- C. He might develop toxic levels of the drug if he smokes cigarettes.
- D. He needs to watch to make sure that he doesn?t lose too much weight.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clozapine (B) requires weekly white blood cell counts due to the risk of agranulocytosis. Electrocardiograms (A) are not routine, smoking (C) affects clozapine metabolism but not toxicity directly, and weight loss (D) is unlikely (weight gain is more common).
A group of nursing students is reviewing the various theories related to the etiology of schizophrenia. The students demonstrate understanding of the information when they identify which neurotransmitter as being responsible for hallucinations and delusions?
- A. Dopamine
- B. Serotonin
- C. Norepinephrine
- D. Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dopamine (A) dysregulation, particularly excess in certain brain regions, is strongly linked to hallucinations and delusions in schizophrenia. Serotonin (B), norepinephrine (C), and GABA (D) play roles in other disorders or symptoms but are less directly associated with these psychotic features.
The nurse is caring for a client who was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. Based on the nurse?s understanding of this disorder, the nurse develops a plan of care to address which issue as the top priority?
- A. Suicide
- B. Aggression
- C. Substance abuse
- D. Eating disorder
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Suicide (A) is the top priority in schizoaffective disorder due to the combined risk of mood disturbances (e.g., depression) and psychosis, both of which elevate suicide risk. Aggression (B), substance abuse (C), and eating disorders (D) are concerns but less immediate unless actively present.
While caring for a hospitalized client with schizophrenia, the nurse observes that the client is listening to the radio. The client tells the nurse that the radio commentator is speaking directly to him. The nurse interprets this finding as which of the following?
- A. Autistic thinking
- B. Concrete thinking
- C. Referential thinking
- D. Illusional thinking
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Referential thinking (C) describes the client?s belief that neutral events, like a radio broadcast, are personally directed at them, a common delusion in schizophrenia. Autistic thinking (A) involves private, illogical thoughts, concrete thinking (B) is overly literal interpretation, and illusional thinking (D) is not a standard term, making them incorrect.
When assessing a client with delusional disorder, the nurse would most likely expect to find impairment in which of the following? Select all that apply.
- A. Social functioning
- B. Marital functioning
- C. Intellectual functioning
- D. Occupational functioning
- E. Mental status functioning
Correct Answer: A,B,D
Rationale: Delusional disorder often impairs social (A), marital (B), and occupational functioning (D) due to the impact of delusions on relationships and work. Intellectual (C) and mental status functioning (E) typically remain intact, as the disorder is focal.