Peter, a man with schizophrenia, experiences auditory hallucinations, slow speech, and apathy. His doctor is likely to prescribe a(n) to treat all of these symptoms. a. conventional antipsychotic b. mood stabilizer drug c. atypical antipsychotic d. stimulant

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by abnormal behaviors, thoughts, and perceptions. The symptoms can be classified into two categories: positive symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, delusions, agitation) and negative symptoms (e.g., apathy, slow speech, social withdrawal). In this case, Peter experiences both positive (auditory hallucinations) and negative (slow speech and apathy) symptoms.

The available options to treat Peter's symptoms are the following: a. Conventional antipsychotic b. Mood stabilizer drug c. Atypical antipsychotic d. Stimulant Understand that each class of medications is designed to target different symptoms and disorders.

a. Conventional antipsychotic: Known as first-generation antipsychotics, these drugs primarily target positive symptoms of schizophrenia but may not significantly affect negative symptoms. Additionally, conventional antipsychotics can sometimes cause serious side effects. b. Mood stabilizer drug: These medications are primarily used to treat mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, and may not effectively address schizophrenia symptoms. c. Atypical antipsychotic: Referred to as second-generation antipsychotics, these drugs are designed to treat both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia with fewer side effects compared to conventional antipsychotics. d. Stimulant: Stimulant medications are generally used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. They are not indicated for treating schizophrenia.

Based on the evaluation of each option, the most suitable medication for treating all of Peter's schizophrenia symptoms (auditory hallucinations, slow speech, and apathy) would be a(n) atypical antipsychotic (option c). These medications are specifically designed to address both positive and negative symptoms, making them the most likely choice for Peter's treatment.