A 10-year-old boy repeatedly complains of an upset stomach and has missed several days of school.

All labs and x-rays relevant to his abdominal discomfort have been normal.

What disorder might this boy have?

Choice A rationale
Transference refers to a situation where the feelings, desires, and expectations of a person are unconsciously redirected and applied to another person. In this case, the nurse is not redirecting their feelings towards the patient, but rather reacting to the patient’s actions.
Choice B rationale
Countertransference refers to the emotional reaction of the healthcare provider towards the patient. In this case, the nurse’s hostility and anger towards the patient who has sexually abused a child is an example of countertransference.
Choice C rationale
Resistance refers to an attempt to prevent undesirable thoughts from becoming conscious. In this case, the nurse is not trying to prevent undesirable thoughts, but rather reacting to the patient’s actions.
Choice D rationale
Noncompliance refers to a patient’s failure to follow medical advice. In this case, the nurse is not failing to follow medical advice, but rather reacting to the patient’s actions.

Choice A rationale
Leaving the client alone to eat might not address the client’s paranoid belief that the food is poisoned. It could potentially exacerbate the client’s anxiety and paranoia.
Choice B rationale
Asking the client’s family to bring in favorite foods might not be feasible in all situations. Moreover, the client might still harbor paranoid beliefs about the food being poisoned.
Choice C rationale
Allowing the client to observe other clients eating the same food can help alleviate the client’s paranoid belief that the food is poisoned. Seeing others safely consuming the same food can provide reassurance.
Choice D rationale
Giving the client an “anti-poison” placebo prior to meals is not an ethical practice. It can potentially undermine the trust in the therapeutic relationship.