Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What is the most common obsession found in children?

1. Fear of darkness

2. Contamination

3. Separation anxiety

4. Excessive need for reassurance

The correct answer is: Contamination

The most common obsession found in children is often associated with contamination. This fixation manifests as an intense fear of dirt, germs, or the potential for becoming unclean. Children with this type of obsession may express anxiety about touching certain objects, using public facilities, or coming into contact with other people due to a fear of illness or dirtiness. This fear can significantly impact their daily functioning, leading them to avoid situations that expose them to perceived contaminants. While fear of darkness, separation anxiety, and excessive need for reassurance can also be prevalent in children, they are not as frequently classified as obsessions. Fear of darkness is typically considered a normal childhood fear rather than an obsession. Separation anxiety is a common developmental phase experienced by many children, particularly during certain stages of their growth, and generally focuses on attachment rather than obsessive thought patterns. An excessive need for reassurance can be a behavior seen in children, often stemming from anxiety, but it is not identified as a central obsession in the same way that contamination fears are recognized in the context of obsessive-compulsive concerns. Therefore, contamination stands out as the most recognized obsession in clinical settings with children.