Delusional disorder — MCQs

A 24-year-old male graduate student comes to the physician for a two-month history of repeated thoughts and anxiety that he is going to be harmed by someone on the street. The anxiety worsened after witnessing a pedestrian getting hit by a car two weeks ago. He says, “That was a warning sign.” On his way to school, he now often leaves an hour earlier to take a detour and hide from people that he thinks might hurt him. He is burdened by his coursework and fears that his professors are meaning to fail him. He says his friends are concerned about him but that they do not understand because they were not present at the accident. The patient has no known history of psychiatric illness. On mental status exam, he is alert and oriented, and shows full range of affect. Thought processes and speech are organized. His memory and attention are within normal limits. He denies auditory, visual, or tactile hallucinations. Urine toxicology screening is negative. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis in this patient?

A 46-year-old homeless man was found wandering aimlessly in the supermarket. On examination, he is confused and said that the President appointed men to kill him because he is disclosing state secrets to extraterrestrial organisms. The man also has horizontal nystagmus and an ataxic gait. What is the most likely cause of the clinical presentation?

A 38-year-old woman comes to the physician for a 6-week history of sleeping difficulties because she thinks that someone is watching her through security cameras. Her anxiety started 6 weeks ago when a security camera was installed outside her house by the police. Ever since, she has felt that she is being monitored by security cameras throughout the city. She avoids going outside whenever possible and refuses to take the subway. Whenever she needs to leave the house she wears large hats or hooded sweaters so that she cannot be recognized by the cameras. As soon as she arrives at her office or at home she feels safer. She was recently promoted to the team manager of a small advertising agency. She takes no medications. On mental status examination, she is alert, oriented, and shows normal range of affect. Urine toxicology screening is negative. The patient's symptoms are best described as which of the following?

A 22-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by his father because he is having bizarre thoughts. The patient says that he is being haunted by aliens from outer space. The father is worried as his son has had these symptoms for the past 7 months and lately, it seems to be getting worse. He has become more self-obsessed and does not seem to have any interest in his favorite activities. He has no plans to harm himself or others but spends a lot of time and energy building ‘defenses’ in and around his room as he is absolutely sure that aliens will come to get him soon. His blood pressure is 121/79 mm Hg, pulse 86/min, respiratory rate 15/min, temperature 36.8°C (98.2°F). Which of the following is correct regarding the patient’s symptoms?

A 33-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by his mother because of erratic behavior over the past 6 months. He spends most of his time alone in his room because he believes he is being followed by the Secret Service. He was fired from his job 3 months ago after threatening a colleague. He appears suspicious of his surroundings and asks the doctor questions about “the security of the hospital.” The patient exhibits a flat affect. During physical examination, he tells the doctor that he has a gun at home and plans to shoot his neighbor, whom he thinks is working for the Secret Service. Which of the following is the most appropriate action by the doctor?