Which of the following is the organic mental disorder?

RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2023

Mental Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2023

Explanation

Delirium is classified as an organic mental disorder because it is characterized by an acute disturbance in attention, awareness, and cognition that is a direct physiological consequence of another medical condition, substance intoxication or withdrawal, or a toxin (SRC_3307).
The core feature of an organic disorder is a demonstrable and independently diagnosable cerebral disease or disorder, which is the case with delirium.
Unlike functional disorders, the onset of delirium is typically rapid, developing over a short period (hours to days), and its severity often fluctuates.
Common causes include infections (like UTI or pneumonia), metabolic imbalances, hypoxia, and drug side effects, all of which are physical in nature.

Option A: Schizophrenia is considered a functional psychotic disorder. While brain abnormalities are associated with it, it is not defined by an acute, underlying medical illness in the way organic disorders are.
Option C: Manic psychosis is a feature of Bipolar Disorder, which is a mood disorder. Mood disorders are classified as functional, not organic.
Option D: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a functional disorder characterized by obsessions and compulsions. It does not have a direct, singular organic cause like delirium.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification of Mental Disorders (Organic vs. Functional) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
For nurses, recognizing the signs of delirium is a critical patient safety issue. When a patient, especially an older adult, presents with acute confusion, the priority is to assess for and identify underlying organic causes (the '3 D's': Delirium, Dementia, Depression).
Prompt identification and treatment of the cause of delirium (e.g., treating an infection, correcting electrolyte imbalance) can reverse the condition and prevent long-term complications or mortality.
What if? A patient with a known history of schizophrenia is admitted and shows acute confusion and disorientation. The nurse's priority action is not to assume it's a worsening of their psychosis but to immediately suspect delirium and initiate assessments for organic causes like infection or medication side effects. Treating the delirium is the immediate priority.

How to Approach the Question

First, understand the key term in the question: 'organic mental disorder'. Recall that 'organic' implies a physical, medical cause for the mental symptoms.
Evaluate each option based on this definition.
Consider Delirium: This is defined as an acute confusional state caused by a medical condition, substance, or toxin. This directly matches the definition of an organic disorder.
Consider Schizophrenia: This is a primary thought disorder, classified as functional.
Consider Manic psychosis: This is a symptom of Bipolar Disorder, a functional mood disorder.
Consider OCD: This is a functional disorder related to anxiety and compulsions.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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