Rick walks into the emergency room and asks to see a doctor.He explains that he has a fever,but he does not report that he gave himself an injection of dirty water that is probably responsible for his fever.Without this information,the medical staff cannot determine the cause of Rick's fever,so they admit him for observation.Rick is delighted because he enjoys the "sick role." After numerous tests are run,the staff is still puzzled,so they call for a psychiatric consult.The psychiatrist should consider the diagnosis of __________ disorder.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The scenario suggests that Rick may have intentionally made himself sick by injecting dirty water, and is enjoying the "sick role." This behavior is consistent with factitious disorder, which involves intentionally producing or exaggerating symptoms in order to assume the role of a sick person and receive attention and sympathy from others. The fact that Rick did not report the injection to the medical staff and that his symptoms are puzzling despite numerous tests also supports this diagnosis.

Rick Walks into the Emergency Room and Asks to See