A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of somatic symptoms disorder. The nurse should identify that the client must have been experiencing manifestations of the disorder for how long before diagnosis?

C. Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline, memory loss, and changes in behavior. Research suggests that individuals with

schizophrenia may have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to the general population.

A. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease primarily affecting older adults and is more closely linked to factors such as aging, joint injury, and obesity.

B. Diabetes mellitus is not associated with schizophrenia.

D. Cancer is not typically considered a comorbidity of schizophrenia. While individuals with schizophrenia may face certain health disparities and have higher rates of risk factors such as smoking, cancer itself is not directly linked to schizophrenia

Delusions, hallucinations, and alterations in speech are characteristic symptoms of psychosis, which can occur in various psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Dopamine antagonists, also known as antipsychotic medications, are the primary pharmacological treatment for psychosis.

A Mood stabilizers are primarily used to manage mood swings in conditions like bipolar disorder. While they can help stabilize mood, they are not typically the first-line treatment for psychotic symptoms like delusions and hallucinations.

B. SSRIs are antidepressant medications that primarily target serotonin levels in the brain. They are used to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, and some other mood disorders.

D. Benzodiazepines are a class of medications primarily used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures.