Mr. L, who has a severe fear of needles, is hospitalized on your medical unit. The laboratory technician enters to draw blood for the routine CBC, and Mr. L begins to cry out, "Get away from me! I can't breathe! I'm having a heart attack!" What should be your first response to Mr. L?

Choice A reason: Catatonia is characterized by symptoms such as extreme muscle rigidity, repetitive speech, and resistance to movement, which align with Lisa's presentation. It is often associated with other mental health conditions but can also be a standalone diagnosis.

Choice B reason: Disorganized schizophrenia is marked by disorganized thinking and behavior, inappropriate emotional responses, and erratic actions. While Lisa's symptoms could suggest a psychotic disorder, they do not specifically indicate disorganized schizophrenia.

Choice C reason: Schizotypal disorder involves eccentric behavior, odd beliefs, and difficulty forming close relationships. Lisa's symptoms do not align with the core characteristics of schizotypal disorder.

Choice D reason: Brief psychotic disorder is a short-term condition that includes delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized speech. Lisa's symptoms could be part of a brief psychotic episode, but the specific mention of muscle rigidity and resistance to movement is more indicative of catatonia.

Choice A reason: Petechiae are small red or purple spots caused by bleeding into the skin, typically not directly associated with anemia.

Choice B reason: Glossitis, which is inflammation of the tongue, can be associated with certain types of anemia but is not specifically related to the low hemoglobin level itself.

Choice C reason: Exertional dyspnea, or difficulty breathing upon exertion, is a common symptom of severe anemia due to the reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

Choice D reason: Palpitations, or feeling that the heart is racing or fluttering, can occur in severe anemia as the heart attempts to compensate for the lack of oxygen in the blood.