A 20-year old man with suspected schizophrenia is reviewed in clinic. During the consultation the patient informs you that there is a plot to destroy the world and that he has been chosen as a saviour.
Which of the following terms most appropriately describes this patient’s belief?
A 25-year-old woman goes to her GP to discuss symptoms she believes are related to a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). She has been struggling with these symptoms for a few years, but they have worsened in recent months since she started working as a janitor. She experiences intrusive and persistent thoughts about germs, which lead her to repeatedly wash her hands, clothes, and clean her home. Her partner is worried about her, and they argue when he tries to encourage her to resist the urge to clean, as this exacerbates her anxiety symptoms. Which medication is approved for treating OCD?
A 28-year-old man visits the police station complaining about his wife. He tells the police she regularly physically beats their 5-year-old daughter with a belt and that she often slaps the girl. The woman is arrested by the police for hitting and brutally beating her 5-year-old daughter. When the woman is asked why she does this, she responds that, ‘This is how my mother treated me, it’s how women should act’.
Which of the following types of learning behaviour in the woman does this represent?
A 42-year-old woman is seen in the clinic after a recent visit to the psychiatrist who recommended an increase in her lithium dose for better symptom control. Her renal function is stable and you prescribe the recommended dose increase. When should her levels be re-checked?
Samantha is a 35-year-old female who is receiving treatment for bipolar disorder on the psychiatric ward. She has been taking lithium for the past 3 weeks and the doctor needs to check if her levels have stabilised by taking bloods. Samantha’s last dose of lithium was at 9am this morning and it is currently 12pm. What is the appropriate time for the doctor to take her bloods?
A 78-year-old, frail elderly man on the geriatric ward is experiencing difficulty sleeping and asks for medication to aid his insomnia. The doctor prescribes a brief course of zopiclone.
What is one of the potential hazards linked to the use of zopiclone in older adults?
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is recommended by NICE for which clinical conditions?
A 30-year-old man comes to see his GP complaining of headaches, nausea, and anxiety that have been ongoing for the past year. He has sought medical attention from various healthcare providers and was prescribed codeine pain relief, which he has now finished. Upon examination, there are no notable findings, and private investigations including a CT and MRI of the head have come back normal. Despite being reassured multiple times, he remains convinced that he has a brain tumour and requests further testing and pain relief. His paternal grandfather died from a brain tumour. What is the most probable diagnosis?
Which statement about the causation and dynamics of schizophrenia is accurate?
You receive a call from the husband of a 50-year-old patient who is registered at your practice. The patient has a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with metformin. According to her husband, for the past three days, she has been talking nonsensically and experiencing hallucinations. An Approved Mental Health Professional is contacted and heads to the patient’s residence. Upon arrival, you encounter a disheveled and emaciated woman sitting on the pavement outside her home, threatening to physically harm you. What is the most appropriate course of action?