A nurse is performing an admission assessment for a client who has schizophrenia. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a negative symptom?

A. Crayons and a coloring book: While crayons and coloring books can be entertaining, they may not be suitable for a 12-month-old toddler who is hospitalized and confined to a room with contact precautions. Toddlers at this age are typically more interested in exploring objects and engaging in physical activities.

B. Large building blocks: Large building blocks are suitable for a 12-month-old toddler as they promote fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. They also encourage imaginative play and problem-solving, which are important aspects of cognitive development at this age. Additionally, large blocks are easy to clean and sanitize, making them suitable for use in a hospital setting with contact precautions in place.

C. Hanging crib toys: Hanging crib toys are more appropriate for infants, particularly those who are younger than 12 months old. At 12 months of age, toddlers are usually more mobile and may not be as interested in stationary crib toys.

D. Modeling clay: Modeling clay is not recommended for a 12-month-old toddler, especially in a hospital setting with contact precautions. Modeling clay poses a choking hazard, and toddlers at this age may not have the dexterity or understanding to use it safely. Additionally, modeling clay can be difficult to clean and sanitize between uses, making it unsuitable for use in a hospital environment.

A. Bizarre behavior: Bizarre behavior is typically considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia rather than a negative symptom. Positive symptoms involve the presence of abnormal behaviors or experiences that are not typically seen in healthy individuals. Bizarre behavior can include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior.

B. Somatic delusions: Somatic delusions, where the individual believes they have a medical condition or physical defect that is not present, are also considered positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Positive symptoms involve distortions or exaggerations of normal functions.

C. Affective flattening: This is the correct choice. Affective flattening, also known as blunted affect, refers to a reduction in the intensity, range, and expression of emotional responses. Individuals with schizophrenia who exhibit affective flattening may have a limited range of facial expressions, reduced vocal inflections, and a diminished ability to express emotions appropriately. Affective flattening is considered a negative symptom because it reflects a decrease or absence of normal emotional functioning.

D. Illogicality: Illogicality, or disorganized thinking, is another positive symptom of schizophrenia. It involves difficulties in organizing thoughts and expressing them coherently. Individuals with schizophrenia may exhibit illogical speech patterns, such as tangentiality (going off on tangents), loose associations (jumping from one unrelated topic to another), or thought blocking (sudden interruption of thoughts).