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. "You must be getting better. You look great!": This response could potentially be interpreted as positive reinforcement, but it carries the risk of making assumptions about the client's mental state solely based on their appearance. It implies that the client's improved grooming is solely due to their improvement in depression, which may not necessarily be the case. Additionally, it may inadvertently minimize the client's experience of depression by attributing their grooming to improvement rather than recognizing it as an achievement in itself.

B. "Everyone feels better after showering": This response generalizes the client's experience and minimizes the significance of their actions. It implies that grooming is merely a routine activity that everyone does and that feeling better is solely related to physical cleanliness. It fails to acknowledge the client's effort and positive behavior, which could be significant achievements for someone experiencing depression.

C. "Why are you all dressed up today? Is it a special occasion?": This response might put the client on the spot and make them feel uncomfortable or self-conscious about their appearance. It could also imply that there must be a specific reason for the client to take care of their grooming, rather than recognizing it as a positive step regardless of the reason. Additionally, it doesn't acknowledge the client's effort or provide validation for their behavior.

D. "I see you have done some grooming today.": This response acknowledges the client's effort and positive behavior without making assumptions or judgments about the client's mental state or improvement. It demonstrates observance and recognition of the client's actions, which can help build rapport and trust between the nurse and the client. Additionally, it opens the door for further conversation if the client wishes to discuss their grooming habits or how they are feeling.

A. Place the infant in an infant seat for 2 hours following the procedure. There is no specific need to place the infant in an infant seat for 2 hours following a lumbar puncture. After the procedure, the infant should be positioned comfortably and safely, but there is no requirement for a specific duration in an infant seat.

B. Hold the infant's chin to his chest and knees to his abdomen during the procedure. This positioning is not appropriate for a lumbar puncture. The correct positioning for a lumbar puncture involves having the infant in a lateral recumbent (side-lying) position with knees flexed up toward the chest, allowing the spine to be flexed and creating space between the vertebrae for the needle insertion.

C. Keep the infant NPO for 6 hours prior to the procedure. Keeping the infant NPO (nothing by mouth) for 6 hours prior to the procedure is not necessary for a lumbar puncture. Infants can continue breastfeeding or formula feeding as usual before the procedure. However, if sedation or anesthesia is planned for the procedure, specific fasting guidelines may apply depending on institutional protocols and the infant's age and health status.

D. Apply a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine cream topically 15 minutes prior to the procedure. This is the correct choice. Applying a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine cream topically before the procedure helps to numb the skin and reduce pain at the site of the lumbar puncture. It is a standard practice to minimize discomfort for the infant during the procedure.