Psychopathology: confabulation: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Psychopathology: confabulation

Sample item

A man with chronic alcohol use cannot recall what he did yesterday but fluently narrates a detailed, incorrect account of his morning to fill the gap, believing it. This symptom is

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Confabulation

Confabulation is the unconscious filling of a memory gap with fabricated, often plausible content, which the patient believes. It is characteristic of Korsakoff syndrome and some dementias and frontal lesions. The patient has no intent to deceive.

Option by option

  • A. Delusional memory

    A delusional memory is a delusion that appears as a memory, with a false belief about the past arising suddenly rather than filling a gap.

  • B. Pseudologia fantastica

    Pseudologia fantastica is elaborate lying that the person partly believes, seen in factitious disorder, and it is not tied to amnesia.

  • C. Deja vu

    Deja vu is the false feeling of having experienced the present situation before.

  • D. Confabulation (correct)

    Correct. Unintentional fabrication to fill a memory gap is confabulation.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is D, Confabulation. Confabulation is the unconscious filling of a memory gap with fabricated, often plausible content, which the patient believes.

Why is "Delusional memory" not the answer?

A delusional memory is a delusion that appears as a memory, with a false belief about the past arising suddenly rather than filling a gap.

Why is "Pseudologia fantastica" not the answer?

Pseudologia fantastica is elaborate lying that the person partly believes, seen in factitious disorder, and it is not tied to amnesia.

Why is "Deja vu" not the answer?

Deja vu is the false feeling of having experienced the present situation before.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychopathology: confabulation in Psychiatry. It is characteristic of Korsakoff syndrome and some dementias and frontal lesions. The patient has no intent to deceive.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Psychopathology: confabulation?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.