Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

Which symptom indicates a need for specialized nursing care in clients with schizophrenia?

1. Auditory hallucinations

2. Motor immobility

3. Depressed mood

4. Appetite loss

The correct answer is: Motor immobility

Motor immobility is a symptom that indicates a need for specialized nursing care in clients with schizophrenia because it can suggest severe psychiatric conditions, such as catatonia. Individuals experiencing motor immobility may be unable to respond to external stimuli or exhibit a significant reduction in movement, which can put them at risk for complications, such as malnutrition, pressure ulcers, and even death if not addressed adequately. Specialized nursing care is essential to ensure that these patients receive appropriate support, monitoring, and intervention to address the complexities of their condition. While auditory hallucinations, depressed mood, and appetite loss are also significant symptoms in schizophrenia, they can often be managed with standard psychiatric interventions and do not necessarily reflect immediate physical risks or the need for specialized care in the same way motor immobility does.