Pathological repetition by imitation of the behaviour of another person is termed as?

Appeared in: IGNOU Post B. SC. Nursing entrance-2019

Explanation

Echopraxia is the specific term for the pathological imitation of another person's movements and behaviors.
The keyword in the question is 'behaviour', which refers to actions and movements, not speech.
It is considered a feature of catatonia and can be observed in conditions like schizophrenia, autism, and certain neurological disorders.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option A: Echolalia refers to the repetition of another person's speech (words and phrases), not their physical behavior or actions.
Option C: Encopresis is an elimination disorder related to the involuntary or intentional passage of feces in inappropriate places. It is not related to imitation.
Option D: Enuresis is an elimination disorder related to the involuntary passage of urine (bedwetting or daytime accidents). It has no connection to imitative behavior.

Related Visual

panel infographic. The left panel shows a stick figure saying Hello! and another stick figure replying Hello!, with the label Echolalia repeating speech. The right panel...

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Psychiatric Terminology: Catatonic Symptoms as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Recognizing echopraxia is crucial for nurses as it is a sign of catatonia, which can be a medical emergency if it progresses to stupor or malignant catatonia.
When caring for a patient exhibiting echopraxia, nurses should use simple, direct, and concrete verbal commands. Avoid using complex gestures or modeling actions that could be mimicked inappropriately or unsafely.
What if? If a patient exhibits both echopraxia and waxy flexibility (maintaining a posture they are placed in), the nurse's priority shifts to ensuring physical safety, preventing pressure injuries, and maintaining hydration/nutrition, as the patient may not move or care for themselves.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question stem: 'repetition', 'imitation', and 'behaviour'.
The core concept is the imitation of 'behaviour' (actions/movements).
Evaluate each option based on its definition.
Echolalia involves 'lalia' (from Greek 'lalein', to talk), linking it to speech.
Echopraxia involves 'praxia' (from Greek 'praxis', action/deed), linking it to actions.
Encopresis and Enuresis are elimination disorders, which can be ruled out as they do not involve imitation.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Psychiatric Terminology: Catatonic Symptoms
Stem keywords: pathological repetition, imitation, behaviour
Lead-in keywords: termed as
Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QDJFpSZ7XY6lHYoIN2UEmG

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) pp. 15337-15339, 3899-3901

E6 Guide to Mental Health & PSYCHIATRIC NURSING R Sreevani— Part 2 (pp 290-564 of 579) p. 270-272

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