A charge nurse is instructing a newly licensed nurse about mental health disorders. Which of the following statements by the nurse indicates an understanding of mental health disorders?

A. The voices are telling me to harm myself: This statement indicates command hallucinations with a potential for harm. It suggests that the patient is receiving directives to harm themselves, which poses an immediate safety concern. Implementing safety measures, such as close monitoring, removal of harmful objects, and involving appropriate professionals, is essential to protect the patient from self-harm.

B. I hear voices: While hearing voices (auditory hallucinations) is a symptom that requires assessment and intervention, the nature of the voices is crucial in determining the level of risk. This statement, on its own, does not provide information about the content or potential harm associated with the voices.

C. I see birds flying in the room: This statement describes a visual hallucination, which, while potentially distressing, does not necessarily pose an immediate safety risk to the patient or others. Visual hallucinations may be less likely to necessitate immediate safety measures compared to command hallucinations.

D. The voices don't stop and continue all day: This statement suggests persistent auditory hallucinations, but without information about the content of the voices, it does not specifically indicate a risk of harm. While it may be distressing for the patient, the urgency for safety measures depends on the nature of the auditory content.

A. Your child has a chemical imbalance of the brain, which leads to altered thoughts: This is the correct answer. It acknowledges the role of a chemical imbalance in the brain contributing to altered thoughts and hallucinations in the context of schizophrenia.

B. Your child's hallucinations are caused by medication interactions: This explanation is not likely in this context. While medications can have side effects, command hallucinations in schizophrenia are primarily related to the underlying disorder.

C. Your child has too little serotonin in the brain causing delusions and hallucinations: While serotonin is involved in mood regulation, attributing hallucinations solely to low serotonin levels oversimplifies the complex neurobiology of schizophrenia.

D. Your child's abnormal hormonal changes have precipitated auditory hallucinations: Hormonal changes are not considered a primary cause of auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia. The emphasis is on neurobiological and genetic factors influencing brain function.