Question

the mother of a 25-year-old patient with schizophrenia asks the nurse why her daughter just sits around all day and doesnt talk. how should the nurse respond?

\your daughter is experiencing hallucinations causing her to regress into herself.\
\your daughter is having bizarre behaviors related to an excess of dopamine in her brain.\
\your daughter is experiencing negative symptoms, including anergia and communication difficulties.\
\your daughter may feel suspicious and aggressive towards you and your family because of her chemical imbalance.\

Explanation:

Analyze the patient's presentation

The mother describes her daughter as sitting around all day (anergia/avolition) and not talking (alogia). These behaviors represent a decrease or loss of normal functions, which are classified as negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Evaluate the response options

• Option 1 attributes the behavior to hallucinations (a positive symptom) and regression, which does not directly explain the lack of energy and speech.
• Option 2 attributes the behavior to dopamine excess, which is associated with positive symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, delusions) rather than negative symptoms.
• Option 3 correctly identifies these behaviors as negative symptoms, specifically naming anergia (lack of energy) and communication difficulties (alogia), providing an accurate and educational response for the family.
• Option 4 suggests suspicion and aggression, which are not described in the mother's observation.

Answer:

• (A) "Your daughter is experiencing hallucinations causing her to regress into herself."
• (B) "Your daughter is having bizarre behaviors related to an excess of dopamine in her brain."
• (C) "Your daughter is experiencing negative symptoms, including anergia and communication difficulties." (Correct answer)
• (D) "Your daughter may feel suspicious and aggressive towards you and your family because of her chemical imbalance."