Comprehensive exams for Mental Health Q 218

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Joey who has a chronic user of cocaine reports that he feels like he has cockroaches crawling under his skin. His arms are red because of scratching. The nurse in charge interprets these findings as possibly indicating which of the following?

  

     A. Delusion

     B. Formication

     C. Flashback

     D. Confusion

    

    

Correct Answer: B. Formication

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The feeling of bugs crawling under the skin is termed as formication, and is associated with cocaine use. Formication is the sensation that resembles that of small insects crawling on (or under) the skin when there is nothing there. It is one specific form of a set of sensations known as paresthesias, which also include the more common prickling, tingling sensation known as “pins and needles”.

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Option A: 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. For example, someone might contend that the government is controlling our every move via radio waves despite evidence to the contrary.

Option C: Flashbacks are psychological phenomena during which a person relives a past event or fragments of a past experience. They generally occur involuntarily, abruptly entering an individual’s awareness without the aid of premeditation or conscious attempts to recall the memory, and they may be intense.

Option D: A mental disturbance characterized by bewilderment, inability to think clearly or act decisively, and disorientation for time, place, and person. Also called mental confusion.

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