A client is suspected to be experiencing a conversion disorder. Which of the following would the nurse expect to assess? Select all that apply.

Deep tendon reflexes intact.

Muscle wasting.

The client is unaware of the link between anxiety and physical symptoms.

Physical symptoms are explained by a physiological cause.

A lack of concern toward the alteration in function.

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : A,C,E

Conversion disorder is a psychiatric condition where psychological stress manifests as neurological symptoms without an organic cause. It often presents with motor deficits, sensory changes, or seizure-like activity, and symptoms are not intentionally produced. Clients may show indifference to symptoms and lack insight into their psychological origin.

Rationale for correct answers

1. Deep tendon reflexes remain intact because conversion disorder does not involve actual damage to the neuromuscular system. Reflex arcs are preserved despite motor symptoms.

3. Clients are typically unaware of the psychological origin of their symptoms. The dissociation between emotional conflict and physical manifestation is unconscious.

5. A lack of concern, termed la belle indifférence, is common. Clients may appear oddly calm or indifferent about significant functional impairments.

Rationale for incorrect answers

2. Wasting does not occur because the paralysis is psychogenic, not due to disuse or neuromuscular pathology. Muscle bulk remains preserved.

4. Physiological causes are ruled out in conversion disorder. Symptoms are not explained by any identifiable medical or neurological condition.

Take Home Points

Conversion disorder presents with neurological symptoms that lack a medical explanation and are linked to psychological stress.
Clients often lack insight and may show indifference to their symptoms.
Neurological examination typically reveals intact reflexes and preserved muscle tone.
It must be differentiated from malingering, factitious disorder, and true neurological conditions.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Conversion disorderinvolves unconscious expression of psychological conflict through physical symptoms. Acknowledging anxietyis a critical therapeutic milestone, indicating insight and readiness for recovery. Short-term goals should focus on emotional awareness and coping.

Rationale for correct answer

4.Recognition of underlyinganxiety by day 4 reflects progress in insight and emotional processing, which is essential for symptom resolution.

Rationale for incorrect answers

1.Recovery of function may occur, but it is not a short-term goal. Emotional insight precedes physical improvement.

2.Coping mechanisms are important, but using one by day 3 is premature without acknowledging the psychological origin.

3.Fear expression is valid, but it does not address the core issue of unconscious anxiety driving the symptoms.

Take Home Points

Emotional insight is key to managing conversion disorder.
Short-term goals should focus on psychological awareness, not physical recovery.
Functional symptoms resolve as emotional conflicts are addressed.
Therapy should prioritize helping clients connect emotions to physical symptoms.

A. Acceptable absence from work. B. Freedom from daily chores. C. Increased attention from family. D. Provision of care by others. E. Resolution of family conflict. F. Temporary relief of anxiety.

Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D","F"]

Explanation

Secondary gainrefers to the indirect benefits a person receives from being ill, which may unconsciously reinforce the persistence of symptoms. In somatic symptom disorder, these gains can include attention, avoidance, and relieffrom responsibilities or emotional distress. While the symptoms are not intentionally produced, the reinforcement from these gains can perpetuate the illness behavior and complicate recovery.

Rationale for correct answers

1.Acceptable absence from work provides avoidanceof stressors and responsibilities, reinforcing the sick role and reducing external pressure.

2.Freedom from chores offers relieffrom daily demands, which may unconsciously reinforce symptom persistence.

3.Increased attention from family satisfies emotional needs, reinforcing the behavior through interpersonal validation.

4.Provision of care by others enhances dependency, which may be comforting and reduce anxiety, reinforcing illness behavior.

6.Temporary relief of anxiety occurs when physical symptoms distract from emotional conflict, serving as an unconscious coping mechanism.

Rationale for incorrect answers

5.Resolution of family conflict is not a typical secondary gain; it implies problem-solving, not reinforcement of illness behavior.

Take Home Points

Secondary gain in somatic symptom disorder includes avoidance of stressors and increased interpersonal attention.
These gains are unconscious and can perpetuate symptom expression.
Nurses must recognize secondary gain to guide therapeutic interventions.
Addressing emotional needs and promoting adaptive coping reduces reliance on illness behavior.

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A client is suspected to be experiencing a conversion disorder. Which of the following would the nurse expect to assess? Select all that apply.

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client diagnosed with a conversion disorder has a nursing diagnosis of disturbed sensory perception related to anxiety as evidenced by paralysis. Which short-term outcome would be appropriate for this client?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse understands that secondary gain for the client with a somatic symptom illness can include: Select all that apply.

Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D","F"]

Explanation

An anxious client reports experiencing pain in the abdomen and feeling empty and hollow. A diagnostic workup reveals no physical causes of these clinical findings. What term best reflects what the client is experiencing?

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A client is suspected to be experiencing a conversion disorder. Which of the following would the nurse expect to assess? Select all that apply.

A suitable outcome criterion for the nursing diagnosis Ineffective coping related to dependence on pain relievers to treat chronic pain of psychological origin is:

Which intervention is a nurse’s priority when working with a client suspected of having a conversion disorder?

Which statement describes the etiology of somatization disorder from a learning theory perspective?

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The nurse is teaching a client diagnosed with somatization disorder ways to assist in recognizing links between anxiety and somatic symptoms. Which client statement would indicate that the intervention was effective?