A nurse is assessing a patient with a specific phobia. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates a specific phobia?
"I am afraid of being judged by others when I speak in public.".
"I am afraid of being in places where I can't escape easily.".
"I am afraid of spiders and get extremely anxious when I see one.".
"I am afraid of flying and get panic attacks when I have to travel by plane.".
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
This choice describes social anxiety disorder, where the individual fears being judged negatively by others in social situations. It doesn't reflect a specific phobia, which involves a marked and persistent fear of a specific object or situation.
Choice B rationale:
This statement indicates agoraphobia, which is the fear of being in places where escape might be difficult or help unavailable. It doesn't align with the criteria for a specific phobia, where the fear is directed at a specific object or situation.
Choice C rationale:
The correct answer. This choice represents a specific phobia. The fear of spiders is a classic example of a specific phobia, and the extreme anxiety triggered by the sight of a spider indicates an irrational and disproportionate fear response, which is characteristic of this condition.
Choice D rationale:
This statement describes aviophobia, the fear of flying. While it is a phobia, it doesn't cover the full spectrum of specific phobias, which can involve a wide range of objects or situations beyond just flying.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
While this characteristic is important, it doesn't distinguish specific phobia from other mental disorders. It's a common requirement for many mental disorders to ensure the symptoms are not transient.
Choice B rationale:
This characteristic is more aligned with Social Phobia, where individuals fear negative evaluation in social situations, rather than Specific Phobia, which involves fear of specific situations or objects.
Choice C rationale:
The persistence of fear or anxiety for at least 6 months is a defining feature of specific phobias. This chronic nature helps differentiate it from transient fears or anxieties.
Choice D rationale:
This characteristic is related to Agoraphobia, where individuals fear situations in which they might develop incapacitating symptoms and lack available help. It doesn't specifically describe the fear of certain situations or objects seen in specific phobias.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
This description is more fitting for panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder, which involve intense fear, anxiety, panic, and impaired functioning. Specific phobias can cause distress and impairment, but they are primarily characterized by the fear of a specific object or situation.
Choice B rationale:
Phobias are diagnosed based on the psychological and behavioral symptoms related to the fear of a specific object or situation, not solely on physiological symptoms.
Choice C rationale:
While duration and frequency of symptoms are important factors, they are not the central criteria for diagnosing specific phobias. These factors might be more relevant to other anxiety disorders.
Choice D rationale:
The correct answer. Phobias are diagnosed based on the specific type of fear-inducing object or situation and the associated features of the phobia. These features include the marked and persistent fear, avoidance behavior, and the irrationality of the fear response.
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