Perseverating in residents is best described as what?

• A. Repeating words and actions
• B. Repetitive terms and gestures
• C. Difficulty sleeping at night
• D. Rapid mood changes

Answer: (B)

Perseveration is the persistent repetition of the same word or gesture, even when the situation has moved on. In residents, this shows up as repeating a phrase or making the same hand movement over and over. The description that uses repetitive terms and gestures best fits this pattern because it covers both verbal and nonverbal repetitions that characterize perseveration. It isn’t about trouble sleeping or rapid mood changes, which describe other kinds of issues the resident might face.