A 30-year-old man with schizophrenia has experienced multiple psychiatric hospitalizations related to poor adherence with oral antipsychotic medication. The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner recommends transitioning the patient to a long-acting injectable (LAI) second-generation antipsychotic to improve adherence and reduce relapse risk.

A 24-year-old man is brought to the outpatient psychiatric clinic by his mother because he has become increasingly withdrawn over the past year. He quit his job, rarely leaves his room, and speaks very little during conversations. During the interview, he maintains minimal eye contact and gives brief, delayed responses. He reports hearing “two voices arguing” about him at night and states that the television is sending him secret messages. 

A 31-year-old man with schizophrenia is admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit for worsening psychosis and bizarre behavior. During the mental status examination, the nurse notices that each time she crosses her arms, the patient immediately imitates the same movement. When the psychiatrist adjusts his glasses, the patient repeats the action moments later without explanation. The patient otherwise remains minimally verbal and appears internally preoccupied. 

A 29-year-old man with schizophrenia is brought to the outpatient clinic by his case manager for follow-up. During the interview, the patient begins answering questions about his sleep but quickly shifts to describing his childhood pet, then talks about a recent movie, and never returns to the original topic of sleep despite repeated redirection by the clinician. His speech is coherent, but it is overly detailed and deviates significantly from the original question.  Which of the following best describes this speech pattern? 

A 24-year-old man with schizophrenia is started on a second-generation antipsychotic after multiple hospitalizations for psychosis. At a 3-month follow-up visit, he reports significant improvement in hallucinations and delusions but expresses concern that he has gained 18 pounds since starting the medication. The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner notes that this medication is associated with a high risk of metabolic side effects, including substantial weight gain.  Which of the following antipsychotic medications is MOST strongly associated with weight gain and metabolic syndrome? 

 A 52-year-old man with Alcohol use disorder presents to a PMHNP seeking medication-assisted treatment. He reports a 20-year history of heavy alcohol consumption and has had multiple relapses after detoxification. He is highly motivated to maintain abstinence and states, “I want something that will make me sick if I drink again so I don’t go back to it.”  He has no history of liver failure and is not currently using opioids.  Which of the following medications is most consistent with his stated goal? 

Which of the following is considered a positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

Which psychosocial intervention improves functioning in childhood schizophrenia?

Personality disorders and schizophrenia have distinct symptoms. What is the most prominent symptoms that distinguishes a personality disorder from a diagnosis of schizophrenia?

A 62-year-old woman with a 15-year history of schizophrenia presents for a routine follow-up. She has been taking a first-generation antipsychotic for many years. Her daughter reports that over the past several months, the patient has developed involuntary movements of her mouth and tongue, including lip smacking, tongue protrusion, and chewing motions. The movements persist even when the patient is not aware of them and are becoming socially embarrassing.  Which of the following adverse effects is MOST consistent with this presentation?