Health Assessment Neurological System NCLEX Questions Related

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A patient says, I feel detached and weird all the time, like I'm looking at life through a cloudy window. Everything seems unreal. These feelings really interfere with my work and study. Which term should the nurse use to document this complaint?

  • A. Depersonalization
  • B. Hypochondriasis
  • C. Dissociation
  • D. Malingering
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Correct Answer: A. Depersonalization

Rationale:
1. Depersonalization involves feeling detached from oneself or reality, as described by the patient.
2. The patient's description of feeling like they are looking through a cloudy window aligns with depersonalization symptoms.
3. Interference with work and study suggests significant distress, a common feature of depersonalization disorder.

Summary of other choices:
B. Hypochondriasis: Involves excessive worry about having a serious illness, which is not indicated in the patient's complaint.
C. Dissociation: While depersonalization is a type of dissociative symptom, it specifically refers to feeling detached and unreal, not necessarily a broader dissociative disorder.
D. Malingering: Involves feigning or exaggerating symptoms for secondary gain, which is not evident in the patient's genuine distress and impairment.