Claustrophobia means?

Appeared in: SCTIMST Staff Nurse - 2015 (Set-B)

Explanation

Claustrophobia is defined as a specific phobia involving an irrational and intense fear of enclosed or confined spaces.
The term originates from the Latin word 'claustrum' meaning 'a closed-in place' and the Greek word 'phobos' meaning 'fear'.
Common triggers include elevators, windowless rooms, tunnels, and medical imaging machines like MRI scanners.
The fear is disproportionate to the actual danger posed by the situation and can lead to significant distress and avoidance behaviors.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option A: Fear of darkness is known as Nyctophobia, not Claustrophobia.
Option B: Fear of being alone is known as Autophobia or Monophobia.
Option C: Fear of height is known as Acrophobia.

Related Visual

An infographic illustrating the differences between common phobias such as Claustrophobia fear of closed spaces, Acrophobia fear of heights, and Agoraphobia fear of open/cr...

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definition of Claustrophobia as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Managing a patient with claustrophobia is a common nursing challenge, especially during diagnostic procedures like MRI or CT scans which require the patient to be in a confined space.
Key nursing interventions include patient education, providing emotional support, teaching relaxation techniques, and administering prescribed anxiolytic medications to help the patient tolerate the procedure.
Patient safety is paramount. The nurse must establish a communication signal so the patient can indicate distress and the procedure can be stopped if necessary.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of medical terminology.
First, identify the key term in the question, which is 'Claustrophobia'.
Recall the definition of this specific phobia.
Systematically evaluate each option to see which one matches the definition.
Option A (Fear of darkness) is Nyctophobia. Option B (Fear of being alone) is Autophobia. Option C (Fear of height) is Acrophobia.
Option D (Fear of closed spaces) correctly defines Claustrophobia. Select this as the answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Definition of Claustrophobia
Stem keywords: Claustrophobia
Lead-in keywords: means

Question ID

Q9otXONSEBeYA-56cG5KLQ

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) p. 3869-3872

E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) p. 1290-1292

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