OCD Quiz: Compulsion Or Coping?

1. How long must obsessions and compulsions persist to meet OCD diagnostic criteria?

At least 1 week

At least 2 weeks

At least 1 month

At least 6 months

2. In nursing assessment, which finding suggests severe functional impairment from OCD?

Occasional worry about cleanliness

Unable to work, maintain relationships, or complete daily tasks due to obsessions and compulsions

Preference for organized environments

Occasional double-checking of doors

3. What phenomenon occurs when compulsions temporarily relieve obsessional anxiety?

Habituation

Negative reinforcement

Classical conditioning

Extinction

4. Which brain circuit is most implicated in OCD dysfunction?

Orbitofrontal cortex-striatal-thalamic circuit

Amygdala-hippocampal circuit only

Cerebellum and motor cortex

Wernicke's and Broca's areas

5. A patient reports intrusive thoughts but denies performing rituals. Can OCD be diagnosed?

No, compulsions are always required for diagnosis

Yes, obsessions alone with significant distress can meet criteria

Only if the patient is under age 18

Only with hospitalization

6. What is the key difference between compulsions and healthy coping strategies?

Compulsions provide only temporary relief and increase distress over time

Coping strategies are always faster than compulsions

Compulsions are always visible to others

Healthy coping requires professional supervision

7. True or False: OCD is characterized primarily by lack of insight and complete denial of symptoms.

True

False

8. Which SSRi medication is FDA-approved for OCD treatment?

Sertraline and fluoxetine

Alprazolam and lorazepam

Haloperidol and chlorpromazine

Bupropion and mirtazapine

9. A patient with OCD recognizes their compulsions are excessive but feels unable to stop. What does this reflect?

Lack of motivation to improve

Poor insight into the irrationality of obsessions

Adequate insight but poor impulse control

Normal aging-related cognitive decline

10. Which therapeutic approach is evidence-based for OCD treatment?

Exposure and response prevention (ERP)

Supportive counseling alone

Avoiding all anxiety-provoking situations

Cognitive avoidance strategies

11. Which of the following best defines an obsession in OCD?

A repetitive behavior performed to reduce anxiety

An unwanted, intrusive thought or image that causes significant distress

A temporary worry about everyday stressors

A conscious decision to focus on a specific problem

12. Which of the following is NOT a common obsessive theme in OCD?

Contamination fears

Need for symmetry or exactness

Harm or responsibility concerns

Preference for morning showers

13. A patient performs hand-washing rituals for 2 hours daily to prevent contamination. What criterion does this meet?

Time-consuming behavior causing functional impairment

Normal hygiene practice

An isolated anxiety symptom

A phobic avoidance behavior

14. What is the relationship between OCD & Phobias in clinical presentation?

They are the same disorder with different names

Phobias involve fear of specific objects; OCD involves obsessions and compulsions

OCD is always more severe than phobias

Phobias require compulsions; OCD does not

15. Which neurotransmitter is commonly implicated in OCD pathophysiology?

Dopamine only

Serotonin and glutamate dysregulation

Acetylcholine exclusively

GABA alone

16. A patient reports intrusive thoughts about harming others but does not act on them. What is this an example of?

A phobia

An obsession

Normal aggressive fantasy

A conduct disorder

17. How does OCD differ from typical anxiety or worry?

OCD worries are always rational and based on real threats

OCD involves persistent, distressing obsessions and compulsions that interfere with functioning

OCD is less common and easier to treat

OCD only affects adolescents and young adults

18. Which of these is an example of a mental compulsion?

Washing hands repeatedly

Checking a locked door multiple times

Silently counting or praying to neutralize thoughts

Organizing items in a specific order

19. What is the primary function of a compulsion in OCD?

To increase pleasure and reward

To temporarily reduce anxiety or distress from obsessions

To solve a real-world problem logically

To improve social relationships

OCD Quiz: Compulsion or Coping?