A patient is experiencing delusions of persecution about being ...

[anshika]

A patient is experiencing delusions of persecution about being poisoned. The patient has refused all hospital meals for 3 days. Which intervention is most likely to be acceptable to the patient?
 
  a. Allowing the patient supervised access to food vending machines
  b. Allowing the patient to phone a local restaurant to deliver meals
  c. Offering to taste each portion on the tray for the patient
  d. Providing tube feedings or total parenteral nutrition

Question 2

A nurse observes a catatonic patient standing immobile, facing the wall with one arm extended in a salute. The patient remains immobile in this position for 15 minutes, moving only when the nurse gently lowers the arm. What is the name of this phenomenon?
 
  a. Echolalia
  b. Waxy flexibility
  c. Depersonalization
  d. Thought withdrawal

[blakeserpa]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The patient who is delusional about food being poisoned is likely to believe restaurant food might still be poisoned and to say that the staff member tasting the food has taken an antidote to the poison before tasting. Attempts to tube feed or give nutrition intravenously are seen as aggressive and usually promote violence. Patients perceive foods in sealed containers, packages, or natural shells as being safer.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Waxy flexibility is the ability to hold distorted postures for extended periods of time, as though the patient were molded in wax. Echolalia is a speech pattern. Depersonalization refers to a feeling state. Thought withdrawal refers to an alteration in thinking.