Name:
A Beautiful Mind
1) What is the DSM-V diagnosis of the main character? How does this character meet this
criteria?
According to the DSM-V5 Schizophrenia is a mental disorder in which there exists
disturbances in thought content and form, perception, affect, language, social activity,
sense of self, volition, interpersonal relationships, and psychomotor behavior
The main character in this film, John Nash meets the criteria by having almost all of the
classic symptoms. Hallucinations, delusions, withdrawing from others, incoherent
speech, reduce daily activities, neglected hygiene, paranoia, lack of interpersonal
relationships, and self harm. People who suffer from schizophrenia start to show the
signs in their 20s just as the character did. He also displayed a lack of emotion which is
very common for this illness.
2) Assess the patient and Include subjective and objective data. (Appearance, thought
processes, emotional state, judgement, etc) Basically, if you were to write a nurses note,
what would you say?
Pt John Nash, is a 29 year old male. Pt is unkempt with a disregard to person hygiene.
He reports having hallucinations of a man and delusions of secret work for the
government and that “the Russians are after me.” His emotional state is unstable with
poor judgment. Pt has scars on arm which came from him cutting out an “identification
number” he thought was implanted there. He often put his hand on his head and
pointed during our conversation. Pt seemed relucent to give any information regarding
his secret work for the government because he believes they are real. His wife reports
that he does not actively participate in society and that he avoids sleep.
3) Discuss your perceptions of what was real and what was a delusion or hallucination?
The hallucinations of his college roommate, Charles and Charles’ niece were
hallucinations. As well as the government man that John reports seeing is a
hallucination. The secret work that he’s doing are delusions.
4) If doing a care plan for this patient, what would one nursing diagnosis be? Name 3
interventions.
