Which factor is most likely to contribute to a nurse making a diagnostic error when assessing psychological disorders?

• A. Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team for diagnosis
• B. Having extensive training in psychiatric assessment
• C. Confirmation bias, where the nurse seeks information that supports an initial impression
• D. Using standardized diagnostic criteria consistently

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of confirmation bias: it is a cognitive bias where an individual tends to search for, interpret, and remember information that confirms their preexisting beliefs or hypotheses.
2. Recognize that in psychological assessment, confirmation bias can lead a nurse to focus only on evidence that supports their initial impression, potentially overlooking contradictory information.
3. Compare the other options: collaborating with a multidisciplinary team and using standardized diagnostic criteria are strategies that reduce errors, while extensive training improves accuracy.
4. Identify that confirmation bias is a common human error that can negatively impact diagnostic accuracy, making it the most likely factor contributing to diagnostic errors in this context.
5. Conclude that awareness and mitigation of confirmation bias are crucial for accurate psychological diagnosis.