Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) PN-RN Practice Test

If a patient believes that a camera has been placed in their room to watch them, what type of delusion might they be experiencing?

1. Delusion of reference.

2. Delusion of control.

3. Delusion of grandeur.

4. Delusion of persecution.

The correct answer is: Delusion of persecution.

The patient is experiencing a delusion of persecution, which is characterized by the belief that one is being targeted or harmed by others. In this case, the patient believes that a camera has been placed in their room with the intent to watch or monitor them, indicating a perception of threat or invasion of privacy. This type of delusion often leads individuals to feel that they are subject to negative attention or harm, which aligns directly with the idea that they are being surveilled against their will. Delusions of persecution often manifest in various forms, such as paranoia about being spied on, followed, or harassed. Recognizing this helps in understanding the patient's feelings of fear and anxiety, which can be significant in terms of their overall mental health and the care they may require. Other types of delusions mentioned do not apply in this context. For instance, delusions of reference relate to a belief that common elements of the environment are directly related to oneself, while delusions of grandeur involve a belief in having exceptional abilities or self-importance. Delusions of control involve the belief that one’s thoughts or behaviors are being controlled by external forces, which does not match the specific scenario of believing one is being watched.