Confabulation is a defect of?

RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2021

Psychology

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2021

Explanation

Confabulation is defined as a memory disturbance where an individual unconsciously fills gaps in their memory with fabricated or distorted information.
The person genuinely believes these false memories are real and has no intention to deceive, which distinguishes it from lying.
This symptom is a classic feature of amnestic disorders, most notably Korsakoff's syndrome, which directly results from damage to memory-related brain circuits.

Option B: A defect in attention is characterized by distractibility or the inability to focus on specific stimuli. It does not involve the creation of false memories.
Option C: A defect in intelligence relates to overall cognitive abilities like reasoning, problem-solving, and learning. Confabulation is a specific memory distortion, not a global intellectual impairment.
Option D: A defect in concentration is the inability to sustain mental effort on a task. While it can co-occur with memory problems, it is not the primary defect in confabulation, which is specifically about memory content.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definition and classification of confabulation as a cognitive defect as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must recognize confabulation not as lying but as a symptom of an underlying neurological condition (e.g., Korsakoff's syndrome, dementia). This understanding is crucial for therapeutic communication and accurate patient assessment.
Identifying confabulation prompts the nurse to implement safety measures for memory impairment, such as reorientation, providing a safe environment, and ensuring the patient's needs are met, as they may not accurately report them.
What if? If a patient is confabulating but has no history of alcohol abuse, the nurse should consider other causes of brain damage, such as a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm, traumatic brain injury, or certain types of dementia, and ensure these possibilities are investigated.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keyword in the question, which is 'Confabulation'.
Recall the clinical definition of confabulation. It is the unconscious creation of stories or events to fill in gaps in memory.
Analyze the given options: Memory, Attention, Intelligence, and Concentration. These are all distinct cognitive functions.
Directly link the definition of confabulation (filling memory gaps) to the cognitive function of 'Memory'.
Differentiate it from the other options. Attention and concentration relate to focus, while intelligence relates to reasoning and problem-solving. None of these involve the fabrication of memories.
Select the option that represents the primary cognitive domain affected, which is Memory.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Definition and classification of confabulation as a cognitive defect.
Stem keywords: Confabulation, defect
Lead-in keywords: is a
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) pp. 3561-3563, 894-896

E6 Medicine Macleod Clinical Examination 15e p. 372-374