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?

Choice A reason: Bizarre behavior is considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia. Positive symptoms are those that add abnormal experiences, such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized behavior. Bizarre behavior falls into this category as it represents an addition to normal behavior patterns. Choice B reason: Somatic delusions are also positive symptoms of schizophrenia. These delusions involve false beliefs about the body, such as believing one has a serious illness despite medical evidence to the contrary. Positive symptoms are characterized by the presence of abnormal thoughts or behaviors. Choice C reason: Affective flattening is a negative symptom of schizophrenia. Negative symptoms are characterized by the absence or reduction of normal functions, such as emotional expression, motivation, and social interaction. Affective flattening refers to a lack of emotional expression, where the individual shows little to no facial expressions or emotional responses. Choice D reason: Illogicality, or disorganized thinking, is considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia. It involves incoherent or nonsensical speech and thought patterns. Positive symptoms are those that reflect an excess or distortion of normal functions.