A student in a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program is learning to assess schizophrenia. She administers the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) to a fellow student, who scores 30. What does this score indicate?
Severe schizophrenia
No mental illness
Mild schizophrenia
Moderate schizophrenia
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Severe schizophrenia typically corresponds to PANSS scores well above 75. A score of 30 is far below this threshold and does not reflect severe symptomatology.
Choice B reason: The PANSS includes 30 items, each rated from 1 (absent) to 7 (extreme). A total score of 30 indicates that all symptoms are rated as absent, suggesting no current signs of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders.
Choice C reason: Mild schizophrenia would result in a PANSS score higher than 30, typically in the range of 40–60, depending on symptom severity and distribution across domains.
Choice D reason: Moderate schizophrenia is associated with scores ranging from approximately 60–75. A score of 30 does not meet this threshold and indicates no clinically significant symptoms.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: The copper intrauterine device (IUD) is a non-hormonal contraceptive method and is considered the safest option for women with active breast cancer. Since it does not release hormones, it avoids the risk of hormone-sensitive tumor stimulation and provides highly effective long-term contraception.
Choice B reason: Progesterone-only pills contain synthetic progestins, which may pose a risk in hormone-sensitive breast cancers. Although they are sometimes used in select cases, they are generally avoided in women with active breast cancer due to potential hormonal influence on tumor growth.
Choice C reason: Combined oral contraceptives contain both estrogen and progestin, which are contraindicated in women with breast cancer due to their potential to stimulate hormone receptor-positive tumors. This method is not safe for this patient population.
Choice D reason: Hormonal implants release progestin over time and are not recommended for women with active breast cancer. Like other hormonal methods, they may increase the risk of cancer progression in hormone-sensitive cases.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Stiffness, especially after periods of inactivity or in the morning, is a hallmark symptom of osteoarthritis. It typically improves with gentle movement.
Choice B reason: Limited mobility is common in osteoarthritis due to joint degeneration, pain, and structural changes such as osteophyte formation and cartilage loss.
Choice C reason: Joint swelling may occur due to synovial inflammation or effusion, although it is typically mild compared to inflammatory arthritides like rheumatoid arthritis.
Choice D reason: Bruising is not a feature of osteoarthritis. It suggests trauma or a bleeding disorder and is not associated with the degenerative changes seen in OA.
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