Comprehensive exams for Mental Health Q 211
Jun approaches the nurse and tells that he hears a voice telling him that he’s evil and deserves to die. Which of the following terms describes the client’s perception?
A. Delusion
B. Disorganized speech
C. Hallucination
D. Idea of reference
Correct Answer: C. Hallucination
Hallucinations are sensory experiences that are misrepresentations of reality or have no basis in reality. Hallucinations are sensations that appear to be real but are created within the mind. Examples include seeing things that are not there, hearing voices or other sounds, experiencing body sensations like crawling feelings on the skin, or smelling odors that are not there.
Option A: Delusions are beliefs not based on reality. Delusions are defined as fixed, false beliefs that conflict with reality. Despite contrary evidence, a person in a delusional state can’t let go of their convictions. Delusions are often reinforced by the misinterpretation of events. Many delusions also involve some level of paranoia.
Option B: Disorganized speech is characterized by jumping from one topic to the next or using unrelated words. Disorganized speech is characterized by a collection of speech abnormalities that can make a person’s verbal communication difficult or impossible to comprehend. It is a symptom of schizophrenia.
Option D: An idea of reference is a belief that an unrelated situation holds special meaning for the client. An idea of reference—sometimes called a delusion of reference—is the false belief that irrelevant occurrences or details in the world relate directly to oneself. Ideas of reference are variations on this behavior, and occur when a person believes something is referring to them when it is not. For example, a person shopping in a store might see two strangers laughing and believe that they are laughing at him or her when in reality the other two people do not even notice the person. Some mental health professionals believe this thought error is a type of cognitive bias.