Q: Incorrect swipe registering, inconsistent touch responsiveness, and an app/keyboard "ghost"

After awhile of using the iPod Touch 5th Generation with iOS 7.1.2, I began to notice that swipes and gestures were most of the time registering incorrectly, such as a clear left swipe on the home screen registering as a tap or pulling down notification center. This went along with inconsistent touch responsiveness. In Hill Climb Racing for example, the screen would not detect my finger being on a pedal even if I pressed hard, or would detect it and then say I released, even though my finger had not moved. However, it does work as expected, but it seems to be picky. All other games and apps I have installed are affected by this in some form. Even the keyboard has response inconsistency, where I tap on keys to fill a text box and half aren't entered or register as different keys. This happens with the default keyboard and 3rd party ones. The most irritating part is where things, such as a "cancel post" button, mysteriously press themselves, or apps open by themselves. I was reading over a post before sending it and the confirmation box asked me if I wanted to keep the post or discard it when my hands weren't on it. Settings has also opened by itself right before my eyes. This is a long post but I have no idea where the problem occurred. If anyone could lend even a small hand, that would be helpful. (Note: Updating to iOS 8.3 didn't fix any of these)