Population Specific Care Related

Review Population Specific Care related questions and content

A catatonic patient admitted in a stuporous condition begins to demonstrate increased motor activity. During his assessment, the psychiatrist raises the patient's arm above his head and releases it. The patient maintains the position his arm was placed in, immobile in that position for 15 minutes, moving only when the nurse gently lowers his arm. What symptom is demonstrated by this assessment technique?

  • A. Echopraxia
  • B. Waxy flexibility
  • C. Depersonalization
  • D. Thought withdrawal
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Waxy flexibility. This symptom is demonstrated by the patient's ability to maintain the position his arm was placed in, immobile, for an extended period of time. This is characteristic of catatonia, where individuals exhibit increased motor activity and abnormal posturing. Waxy flexibility refers to the tendency of catatonic patients to maintain positions that they are placed in by others, almost as if their limbs are made of wax and can be molded into different positions.

Explanation for other choices:
A: Echopraxia involves mimicking the movements of others, which is not demonstrated in this scenario.
C: Depersonalization refers to feeling detached from oneself, which is not evident in the patient's behavior during the assessment.
D: Thought withdrawal is a symptom of schizophrenia where thoughts are believed to be removed from one's mind by an external force, which is not relevant to the patient's motor behavior in this case.