A client with somatic symptom illness is interested in exploring treatment options beyond medication. Which non-pharmacological intervention involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow?

Choice A rationale:

Avoiding any discussion of the client's physical symptoms would be counterproductive in building a therapeutic nurse-client relationship. Ignoring the client's concerns might lead to feelings of neglect and hinder the development of trust and rapport.

Choice B rationale:

Establishing trust and rapport is a fundamental aspect of nursing care, particularly when dealing with clients with somatic symptom illness. These clients often experience distressing physical symptoms that have psychological roots. By creating a safe and supportive environment, the nurse can encourage the client to share their experiences, emotions, and concerns openly. This helps the nurse understand the client's condition better and collaborate on an effective care plan.

Choice C rationale:

Dismissing the client's emotional experiences would be detrimental to their well-being. Clients with somatic symptom illness often have genuine distress related to their physical symptoms. Addressing their emotional experiences validates their feelings and aids in uncovering the underlying psychological factors contributing to their symptoms.

Choice D rationale:

Using sarcasm to help the client confront their behavior is inappropriate and unprofessional. Sarcasm can damage the therapeutic relationship, making the client feel ridiculed and unheard. Respectful and empathetic communication is crucial in nursing care, especially when dealing with individuals who are experiencing distress.

Choice A rationale:

Complete recovery is a possible outcome for some individuals with somatic symptom illnesses, where they no longer meet the diagnostic criteria for the illness. With appropriate treatment and interventions, individuals can experience improvements in their symptoms and overall functioning.

Choice B rationale:

While symptoms can vary, stating that symptoms will worsen over time, leading to severe impairment in functioning (Choice B) is not accurate for the majority of cases of somatic symptom illnesses. Most individuals can experience improvement with proper management and treatment.

Choice C rationale:

Complete disappearance of symptoms after a single round of medication (Choice C) is unlikely for most somatic symptom illnesses. These conditions often have complex underlying factors that require a multidimensional approach for effective management.

Choice D rationale:

While mood improvement is possible with treatment, stating that the physical symptoms will remain unchanged (Choice D) is overly pessimistic. Treatment approaches aim to address both physical and psychological aspects of somatic symptom illnesses.