Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 79%
Simulated
A nurse is caring for a client who is diagnosed with schizophrenia. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse identify as a negative symptom?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The correct answer is A: Lack of emotions. Negative symptoms in schizophrenia refer to deficits or lack of typical behaviors or functions seen in individuals without the disorder. Lack of emotions, such as flat affect or reduced emotional expression, is a classic example of a negative symptom. Paranoia, confusion, and distorted beliefs are actually examples of positive symptoms in schizophrenia, characterized by the presence of abnormal behaviors or experiences not typically seen in healthy individuals. Paranoia involves irrational fears or beliefs, confusion refers to disorientation or lack of clarity in thinking, and distorted beliefs refer to delusions or false beliefs. Therefore, these choices are incorrect as they represent positive symptoms, not negative symptoms.