IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg.Entrance-2026
Psychiatric Nursing
Easy
Nihilistic delusion is seen in :
Appeared in: IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg.Entrance-2026
Explanation
- Nihilistic delusion is a false belief that oneself, others, or the world is non-existent or ending.
- It is considered a mood-congruent delusion, meaning its content aligns with the patient's emotional state.
- This type of delusion is a classic feature of severe major depressive episodes, particularly those with psychotic features.
- The presence of such delusions reflects profound feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, and worthlessness characteristic of severe depression.
- An extreme form, Cotard's syndrome (walking corpse syndrome), is also most frequently seen in patients with severe psychotic depression.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option B: Eating disorders, like anorexia nervosa, are defined by distorted body image and fear of weight gain, not delusions about non-existence.
- Option C: While delusions are a core feature of schizophrenia, they are typically persecutory, bizarre, or grandiose. Nihilistic delusions are much more strongly and classically associated with depression.
- Option D: Sexual disorders involve issues with sexual function, desire, or behavior. They do not include psychotic symptoms like delusions.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of the psychiatric disorder associated with nihilistic delusions as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- Recognizing nihilistic delusions is critical for nurses as it indicates a very severe form of depression and is associated with a high risk of suicide. Patients who feel they are already dead or that the world is ending may see no reason to live.
- Assessment of thought content is a key nursing responsibility in mental health. Asking about specific beliefs can help identify delusions and guide the care plan.
- What if? If a patient with nihilistic delusions also exhibits significant thought disorganization and bizarre beliefs (e.g., aliens have removed their organs), the diagnosis might shift towards schizoaffective disorder or schizophrenia, requiring antipsychotic treatment in addition to antidepressants.
How to Approach the Question
- First, understand the term in the question stem: 'Nihilistic delusion'. Recall or deduce its definition (a belief of non-existence).
- Next, consider the options provided, which are all categories of psychiatric disorders.
- Think about the core symptoms of each disorder. Depression is a mood disorder characterized by low mood, anhedonia, and feelings of worthlessness.
- Connect the delusion's theme (nihilism, emptiness, non-existence) to the emotional tone of the disorders. The theme of nothingness strongly aligns with the profound hopelessness of severe depression.
- Evaluate the other options. Schizophrenia has delusions, but they are typically persecutory or bizarre. Eating and sexual disorders do not have delusions as a core feature. This process of elimination confirms Depression as the best fit.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Identification of the psychiatric disorder associated with nihilistic delusions.
- Stem keywords: Nihilistic delusion
- Lead-in keywords: seen in
- Negative lead-in flag: false
Question ID
QaT8WpaRVHmuIuq3exlafg
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. 13421-13423
E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) p. 1125-1127
Practise the full IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg.Entrance-2026
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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