Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients with schizophrenia may lack awareness of the importance of post-tracheotomy care due to the impact of their condition, often showing resistance or misunderstanding of care measures. When coupled with the impact of negative symptoms and the risk of complications after tracheotomy, patients may experience emotional fluctuations, restlessness, anxiety, and hostile behaviors, which pose significant challenges to nursing work. CASE SUMMARY: We have reported the case of an 87-year-old male patient who was admitted to the hospital because of negative symptoms of schizophrenia and who underwent tracheotomy for severe pneumonia. In this study, we have summarized the nursing experience of a patient with negative symptoms of schizophrenia who underwent tracheotomy. The key nursing strategies included proper tracheotomy care, the management of psychiatric symptoms, a thorough assessment and implementation of enteral and parenteral nutrition, effective skincare, infection prevention, and comprehensive mental care. Individualized nursing skills helped stabilize the patient's condition, followed by isolation and observation in a psychiatric hospital. CONCLUSION: Effective postoperative tracheostomy care in patients with schizophrenia necessitates a tailored, multidisciplinary approach that addresses their psychiatric, physical, and emotional needs to achieve optimal clinical outcomes.