Age Specific Care Competency Related

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A community mental health nurse receives a new client for his caseload. The diagnosis of the client is residual schizophrenia. Documentation states that the client has a number of negative symptoms. Which symptom would the nurse expect to assess in the client?

  • A. Bizarre, somatic delusions
  • B. Disorganized speech pattern
  • C. Catatonic posturing
  • D. Emotional blunting
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Emotional blunting. In residual schizophrenia, negative symptoms are prominent, including emotional blunting which refers to a reduced ability to express emotions. This is commonly seen in clients with residual schizophrenia.

Explanation of why other choices are incorrect:
A: Bizarre, somatic delusions are characteristic of paranoid schizophrenia, not residual schizophrenia.
B: Disorganized speech pattern is a symptom of disorganized schizophrenia, not residual schizophrenia.
C: Catatonic posturing is associated with catatonic schizophrenia, not residual schizophrenia.