The nurse discovers the client purposefully inserted a contaminated catheter into the urethra, leading to a urinary tract infection. The nurse recognizes this behavior as characteristic of which mental disorder?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The behavior of purposely inserting a contaminated catheter into the urethra is characteristic of factitious disorder, also known as Munchausen syndrome. In this disorder, the individual intentionally causes or fabricates physical or psychological symptoms for the purpose of assuming the sick role and receiving attention or sympathy. The individual may go to extreme lengths to achieve this, as seen in this scenario. Illness anxiety disorder involves excessive preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness, while functional neurological symptom disorder involves physical symptoms that are not fully explained by medical conditions. Depersonalization-derealization disorder involves feelings of detachment from oneself or the surrounding world.

The Nurse Discovers the Client Purposefully Inserted a Contaminated Catheter