A patient with delusions of persecution about being poisoned has refused all hospital meals for 3 days. Which intervention is most likely to be acceptable to the patient?

A) Allow the patient to have supervised access to food vending machines
B) Allow the patient to telephone a local restaurant to deliver meals
C) Offer to taste each portion on the tray for the patient
D) Begin tube feedings or total parenteral nutrition

Question

Tessa Banks · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : A, Explanation :  The patient who is delusional about food being poisoned is likely to believe restaurant food might still be poisoned and to say that the staff member tasting the food has taken an antidote to the poison before tasting. Attempts to tube feed or give nutrition intravenously are considered aggressive and usually promote violence. Patients often perceive foods in sealed containers, packages, or natural shells as being safe.

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