The mother of a young adult client who has schizophrenia tearfully asks the nurse what she could

Question

have done differently to prevent her child's illness. The most reassuring response for the nurse
would be

a. "Although schizophrenia is caused by impaired interpersonal relationships
between parents and the child, try not to feel guilty. No one can predict how a
child will respond to parental guidance.".
b. "Most of the damage is done, but there is still hope. By changing your parenting
style, you can help your child learn to cope more effectively with the
environment.".
c. "Schizophrenia is a biological illness not unlike diabetes and heart disease. You
are not to blame for your child's illness.".
d. "Most mental illnesses result from genetic inheritance. Your genes are more at
fault than your parenting.".

Answer 1

ANS: C
Clients and families need reassurance that the major mental disorders are biological in origin and are
not the "fault" of parents. Knowing the biological nature of the disorder relieves feelings of guilt
over being responsible for the illness. Option A is neither wholly accurate nor reassuring. Option B
falls short of being reassuring. Option D places the burden of having faulty genes on the shoulders of
the parents.