When a patient with psychosis reports hallucinations but appears otherwise calm and cooperative, the best response is to:

• A. Tell him not to worry because you will protect him.
• B. Ask him to point to where the demons are.
• C. Tell him that you cannot see or hear them.
• D. Ask him if it is alright with the demons if you transport him to the hospital.

Answer: (C)

When a patient with psychosis reports hallucinations but is otherwise calm and cooperative, respond with validation of their experience while staying grounded in reality. Saying you cannot see or hear the hallucinations communicates that you are listening and taking their distress seriously, without affirming the delusion or arguing about its reality. This honest, nonconfrontational stance helps build trust, keeps the interaction calm, and supports safe transport and further evaluation.

Other approaches push into the content of the hallucination or imply control or access to unseen forces, which can reinforce the delusion, escalate anxiety, or undermine the patient’s sense of safety.