The nurse assesses a client who exhibits a flat affect, paranoia, anhedonia, anergia, neologisms, and echolalia. Which statement indicates the nurse understands the characteristics of positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia?

Choice A reason: Positive symptoms of schizophrenia include additions to normal functioning, such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech. Paranoia is a type of delusion, neologisms are made-up words, and echolalia is the repetition of others’ speech—each representing a distortion or excess of normal behavior. Choice B reason: Anhedonia and anergia are negative symptoms, not positive. They reflect a loss of normal emotional and physical functioning. This statement incorrectly categorizes them. Choice C reason: Flat affect and anhedonia are negative symptoms, but paranoia is a positive symptom. This statement misclassifies paranoia. Choice D reason: Echolalia is a positive symptom, not negative. It reflects disorganized speech, which is an excess behavior. This statement misclassifies echolalia and paranoia.