Somatic disorders: factitious disorder by proxy: 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 · Somatic disorders: factitious disorder by proxy

Sample item

A mother repeatedly brings her toddler to hospital with fabricated seizures and has been found adding salt to his feeds. She seems to enjoy attention from staff. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Factitious disorder imposed on another

Factitious disorder imposed on another (Munchausen syndrome by proxy) is when a caregiver falsifies illness in a dependent to assume the sick role by proxy. It is child abuse and the child must be protected first. The motive is psychological rather than external material gain.

Option by option

  • A. Somatic symptom disorder

    Somatic symptom disorder involves real distress about symptoms with no deliberate falsification.

  • B. Conversion disorder

    Conversion disorder involves unintentional neurological symptoms in the patient.

  • C. Factitious disorder imposed on another (correct)

    Correct. Falsifying illness in a dependent for attention is factitious disorder imposed on another.

  • D. Malingering

    Malingering is feigning for external gain such as money.

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 C, Factitious disorder imposed on another. Factitious disorder imposed on another (Munchausen syndrome by proxy) is when a caregiver falsifies illness in a dependent to assume the sick role by proxy.

Why is "Somatic symptom disorder" not the answer?

Somatic symptom disorder involves real distress about symptoms with no deliberate falsification.

Why is "Conversion disorder" not the answer?

Conversion disorder involves unintentional neurological symptoms in the patient.

Why is "Malingering" not the answer?

Malingering is feigning for external gain such as money.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Somatic disorders: factitious disorder by proxy in Psychiatry. It is child abuse and the child must be protected first. The motive is psychological rather than external material gain.

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 Somatic disorders: factitious disorder by proxy?

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.