A nurse is assessing a client who has schizophrenia. Which of the following findings should the nurse document as positive symptoms of schizophrenia? (Select all that apply.).

A charge nurse is educating a newly licensed nurse about various defense mechanisms. Which of the following examples should the charge nurse provide when discussing rationalization? The correct answer is Choice C: A client who states she did not get a promotion because her boss dislikes her.

Choice A rationale:

Choice A, a client who states she will worry about her grades after she finishes planning a party, represents the defense mechanism of "intellectualization" rather than rationalization. Intellectualization is when an individual uses excessive reasoning and logic to distance themselves from emotional reactions.

Choice B rationale:

Choice B, a client whose partner died 5 years ago still talks about him in the present tense, represents "denial" rather than rationalization. Denial involves refusing to accept the reality of a situation or a feeling.

Choice C rationale:

Rationalization is a defense mechanism in which a person provides logical-sounding explanations to justify or make excuses for their behavior or actions. Choice C, a client who attributes not getting a promotion to their boss disliking them, exemplifies rationalization as the client is creating a seemingly plausible reason for the situation rather than accepting their role in not receiving the promotion.

Choice D rationale:

Choice D, a client who has stomach pain before presenting a project to his coworkers, represents "somatization" rather than rationalization. Somatization is a defense mechanism where emotional distress is expressed as physical symptoms.

Choice A rationale:

"Identify and schedule alternative group activities for the client.”. This is the most appropriate response as it focuses on engaging the client in alternative group activities. Social isolation is a common issue in individuals with major depressive disorder, and offering alternative group activities can help the client to socialize and find enjoyment in different ways, potentially improving their mood.

Choice B rationale:

"Discourage the client from expressing feelings of anger.”. This choice is not suitable because it discourages the client from expressing feelings of anger. While it's essential to guide the client in managing their anger appropriately, discouraging the expression of emotions can be counterproductive and may lead to emotional suppression, which is not recommended.

Choice C rationale:

"Keep a bright light on in the client's room at night.”. This option is not directly related to managing major depressive disorder. While light therapy can be beneficial for certain conditions like seasonal affective disorder, it may not be the most appropriate intervention for every client with major depressive disorder.

Choice D rationale:

"Encourage physical activity for the client during the day.”. This is a valid intervention for managing major depressive disorder. Regular physical activity has been shown to have a positive impact on mood and can be an effective part of a treatment plan for individuals with depression. However, choice A is more specific to addressing social isolation, which is a common concern in major depressive disorder.