Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam

When a patient cannot name an object like a pen, what is this condition called?

1. Agnosia

2. Aphasia

3. Apraxia

4. Amnesia

The correct answer is: Agnosia

Agnosia is the condition affecting the ability to recognize and name objects, which aligns perfectly with the scenario described in the question. Individuals with agnosia can see and perceive objects normally but cannot assign the appropriate names to them, often due to neurological damage. In this case, the inability to name an object such as a pen reflects a disruption in the process of recognition, rather than issues with speech production or the memory of the object itself. Aphasia, on the other hand, typically involves difficulties in language processing, which can impair speech or understanding rather than the recognition of objects specifically. Apraxia refers to the inability to perform tasks or movements when asked, even though the individual understands the task and has the motor function to perform it. Amnesia involves memory loss, which is not directly related to the ability to recognize or name objects. Therefore, agnosia is the most accurate term for the inability to name objects like a pen.