AIIMS Patna NO - 2020
Mental Health Nursing
Medium
Which of the following is NOT a sign/symptom of the obsessive-compulsive disorder?
Appeared in: AIIMS Patna NO - 2020
Explanation
- 'No fear of self-harm' because it is not a recognized symptom or diagnostic criterion for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
- OCD is fundamentally an anxiety disorder. The presence of obsessions and compulsions generates significant fear, anxiety, and distress, making an 'absence of fear' inconsistent with the disorder's nature.
- While some individuals with OCD may have intrusive thoughts (obsessions) about harming themselves or others, these thoughts are ego-dystonic (unwanted and distressing) and are accompanied by intense fear and anxiety, not a lack of it.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option B: This is a classic and common symptom of OCD. Fear of germs or dirt is a type of obsession known as a contamination obsession.
- Option C: Obsessive thoughts are a core, defining feature of OCD. They are recurrent, persistent, intrusive, and unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that cause marked anxiety.
- Option D: Compulsive acts are the second core, defining feature of OCD. They are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: Knowing Signs and symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
- A nurse's ability to differentiate true symptoms of OCD from other behaviors is crucial for appropriate screening and referral. Recognizing the cycle of obsessions and compulsions helps in understanding the patient's distress.
- It is vital to create a non-judgmental environment for patients. Many individuals with OCD feel shame or guilt about their thoughts and behaviors and may be reluctant to disclose them.
- What if? If a patient with OCD reports intrusive thoughts about harming their child, the nurse's action changes. While this is a known type of obsession, it requires an immediate and thorough risk assessment for safety, followed by urgent psychiatric consultation, while still providing reassurance that these are unwanted thoughts characteristic of the illness.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the negative framing of the question by spotting the keyword 'NOT'. This means you are looking for the option that is an exception or does not belong.
- Next, recall the core definition of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It is defined by the presence of obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and/or compulsions (repetitive actions).
- Evaluate each option against this definition. 'Fear of germs or dirt' is a common obsession. 'Obsessive thoughts' and 'Compulsive acts' are the core components of the disorder's name and definition.
- The option 'No fear of self-harm' stands out as it describes an absence of fear, which is contrary to the nature of an anxiety-related disorder like OCD. This makes it the correct answer.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Signs and symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Stem keywords: obsessive-compulsive disorder, sign/symptom
- Lead-in keywords: NOT
- Negative lead-in flag: Question is negatively framed (asks for what is NOT a symptom)
Question ID
QPd2oYLmfF_0BJ9j7DIAJN
Reference Book
E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) pp. 1341-1343, 1329-1331
E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 3798-3800
Practise the full AIIMS Patna NO - 2020
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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