Which of the following is a key feature of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

NCL (Northern Coalfields Limited)-NO

Mental Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: NCL (Northern Coalfields Limited)-NO

Explanation

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is defined by the presence of obsessions and/or compulsions that are time-consuming and cause significant distress or impairment.
Obsessions are intrusive, unwanted thoughts or urges (e.g., fear of germs).
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions (e.g., washing hands).
Repetitive hand washing is a classic example of a compulsion, specifically a 'cleansing' compulsion, which is the most common pattern in OCD.

Option B: Sudden chest pain is not a diagnostic criterion for OCD. It is a primary symptom of a panic attack or a potential cardiac event.
Option C: Frequent weight gain is not a core feature of OCD. While some medications used to treat comorbid depression can cause weight gain, it is not a symptom of OCD itself.
Option D: A persistent dry cough is a physical symptom related to the respiratory system and has no clinical association with the diagnostic criteria for OCD.

Visual 1: Flowchart: The OCD Cycle. This visual can illustrate the repeating pattern of Obsession -> Anxiety -> Compulsion -> Temporary Relief, helping to clarify how repetitive behaviors like hand washing fit into the disorder.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Diagnostic features of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must be able to differentiate between routine habits and compulsive behaviors that cause significant distress and impair a patient's daily functioning.
Observing physical signs, such as chapped or reddened hands from excessive washing, can be a crucial clue for a nurse to screen for OCD, especially since patients may be embarrassed to discuss their symptoms.
What if? If a patient reports intrusive thoughts about harming others but has no associated physical compulsion, they could still have OCD. The compulsion might be a covert mental act, such as praying or counting, to neutralize the thought.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the 'key feature' of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Recall the two main components of OCD: obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors).
Analyze each option to determine if it represents an obsession or a compulsion.
Repetitive hand washing is a clear example of a repetitive behavior, which is a compulsion.
Rule out the other options as they describe symptoms related to other distinct medical or psychological conditions (panic/cardiac, metabolic, respiratory).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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