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A 38-Year-Old Man with a History of Schizophrenia Is Brought

question 611

Multiple Choice

A 38-year-old man with a history of schizophrenia is brought to the emergency department by police for a court-ordered evaluation. His mother requested that the patient be involuntarily committed after he refused voluntary hospitalization. She says that his illness was controlled with an injectable antipsychotic. She does not remember the name of the medication, but he received it once a month. Four months ago, the patient stopped going to his psychiatrist to receive the injection. His mother has seen a continuous deterioration in his overall functioning, especially within the last few weeks. Temperature is 37 C (98.6 F) , blood pressure is 132/80 mm Hg, pulse is 88/min, and respirations are 14/min. Laboratory results are within normal limits, and a urine toxicology screen is negative. During the evaluation, the patient does not respond to any questions. He sits motionless on the edge of the bed, staring at the wall in front of him. During the physical examination, the resident picks up the patient's arm and places it over his head to evaluate range of motion. When the resident releases the arm, the arm stays in place above the patient's head. The resident then purposefully moves it down 30 degrees and the arm, once again, stays in the new location. Which of the following would be the most appropriate next step in management of this patient?

Definitions:

Child Abuse

Physical, emotional, or sexual harm inflicted on a child, including neglect or exploitation.

Injunction

A court order requiring an individual or entity to do or cease doing a specific action.

Old English Common Law

The body of legal principles that originated from the early unwritten laws of England, forming the basis of the common law legal system.

Court Order

A directive issued by a court or judge requiring an individual or entity to perform or cease performing specific acts.