The patient has a high fever and states, "There is a monster in the corner of the room." This is an example of which type of mental disorder? Select all that apply.
Dementia
Psychiatric
Delirium
Organic
Correct Answer : C,D
A. Dementia: This is a chronic, progressive, and usually irreversible decline in cognitive function that occurs over months or years. The sudden onset of visual hallucinations associated with an acute physiological stressor like fever is not characteristic of dementia. It involves global intellectual impairment rather than an acute, fluctuating state.
B. Psychiatric: A primary psychiatric disorder, such as schizophrenia, involves persistent thought disturbances and hallucinations independent of an acute medical illness. In this scenario, the symptoms are directly triggered by a known physiological insult (fever). Therefore, it is classified by its medical cause rather than a functional psychiatric origin.
C. Delirium: This is an acute, fluctuating state of confusion characterized by altered consciousness and sensory misperceptions, such as hallucinations. It often occurs in response to an underlying medical condition like a high fever or infection. It is typically reversible once the primary physiological cause is treated and resolved.
D. Organic: This term refers to mental disturbances caused by identifiable physiological changes in brain function due to illness, injury, or toxins. A fever-induced hallucination is a classic organic brain syndrome because the behavioral change is rooted in a biological dysfunction. It distinguishes the condition from purely "functional" or psychiatric illnesses.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","D","E"]
Explanation
A. Uncoordinated finger-nose-finger test: The cerebellum coordinates voluntary muscle activity and precision. Dysmetria, or the inability to hit a target, indicates a lesion in the cerebellar hemispheres. This lack of coordination reflects a failure in the fine-tuning of motor signals.
B. Smooth, balanced gait: A steady and rhythmic gait indicates intact cerebellar function and proper integration of sensory input. The cerebellum normally maintains equilibrium and posture during ambulation. This finding suggests the absence of cerebellar ataxia or motor pathway interference.
C. Lost sense of smell: Anosmia results from damage to the first cranial nerve, the olfactory nerve. The cerebellum does not process sensory information related to olfaction. This deficit is associated with the anterior cranial fossa or nasal mucosa rather than hindbrain structures.
D. Positive Romberg test: This test assesses stationary balance by removing visual cues. A positive result, where the patient sways or falls, indicates vestubulocerebellar dysfunction or loss of proprioception. It highlights an inability of the cerebellum to maintain truncal stability.
E. Slow alternating movements: Dysdiadochokinesia is the medical term for the inability to perform rapid, alternating movements. It is a classic sign of cerebellar impairment. The cerebellum normally sequences the timing of agonist and antagonist muscle contractions for fluid motion.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Stuporous: Stupor is a state of near-unconsciousness where the patient only responds to vigorous or noxious stimuli. A stuporous patient would likely achieve a Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) higher than 3 due to minimal motor or eye-opening responses. It represents a slightly higher level of arousal than coma.
B. Obtunded: This state involves reduced alertness and a slowed psychomotor response to the environment. An obtunded patient typically responds to light touch or a loud voice, which would result in a mid-range GCS score. It does not reflect the total lack of responsiveness associated with a score of 3.
C. Lethargic: Lethargy describes a patient who is drowsy but easily aroused by name or normal conversation. Such a patient would open their eyes spontaneously and be oriented, resulting in a GCS score near the maximum of 15. It is a mild impairment of consciousness compared to the other choices.
D. Comatose: A Glasgow Coma Score of 3 is the lowest possible rating, indicating no eye opening, no verbal response, and no motor response to any stimuli. This objective value defines a state of deep unconsciousness or coma. Documentation must reflect this total absence of neurological arousal and response.
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