A patient repeatedly seems to have difficulty coming up with a word. He says, "I was on my way to work, and when I got there, the thing that you step into that goes up in the air was so full that I decided to take the stairs." How should the nurse record this on his chart?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Circumlocution is a roundabout expression, substituting a phrase when one cannot think of the name of the object. The statement in the question is not an example of blocking, neologism, or circumstantiality. Blocking is when a person experiences sudden interruption in train of thought and unable to complete sentences which seems r/t strong emotion. Neologism involves coining a new word which is inventing or making up words that have no real meaning except for the person. Circumstantiality is when a person talks excessively with unnecessary detail and delays reaching the point. Their sentences have a meaningful connection but are irrelevant. The statement in the question is an example of circumlocution which is a roundabout expression, substituting a phrase when one cannot think of the name of the object.

A Patient Repeatedly Seems to Have Difficulty Coming Up with a Word