Which term describes a sudden interruption of thought in speech?

Prepare for the Primary Clinical Skills exam on mental status. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations to ensure you're exam-ready. Empower your success today!

Multiple Choice

Which term describes a sudden interruption of thought in speech?

Explanation:
Blocking is a sudden interruption of thought in speech, where you stop mid-sentence and can’t recall or resume what you were going to say. It reflects a momentary halt in the flow of thought, not a drift to a new topic. Derailment would show a shift to unrelated or loosely connected topics while continuing to talk. Neologisms are invented, meaningless words. Echolalia is the automatic repetition of someone else’s words. So, the term that best describes a sudden interruption of thought in speech is blocking.

Blocking is a sudden interruption of thought in speech, where you stop mid-sentence and can’t recall or resume what you were going to say. It reflects a momentary halt in the flow of thought, not a drift to a new topic. Derailment would show a shift to unrelated or loosely connected topics while continuing to talk. Neologisms are invented, meaningless words. Echolalia is the automatic repetition of someone else’s words. So, the term that best describes a sudden interruption of thought in speech is blocking.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy