A nurse is assessing a client with a somatic symptom illness. Which of the following manifestations may be associated with this disorder?

Choice A rationale:

Illness anxiety disorder involves excessive worry about having a serious illness, often despite minimal or no symptoms. While this choice relates to anxiety about being sick, it does not encompass the chronic physical symptoms without clear medical explanation that the client in the scenario is experiencing.

Choice B rationale:

Conversion disorder involves neurological symptoms such as altered motor functions or sensory deficits that cannot be explained by medical conditions. However, this choice doesn't account for the chronic nature of the symptoms described in the scenario.

Choice C rationale:

Somatic symptom disorder is characterized by chronic physical symptoms that cause distress and impairment, but the symptoms cannot be fully explained by medical conditions alone. This is the most appropriate choice for the client in the scenario, as it aligns with the chronic and distressing nature of the symptoms.

Choice D rationale:

Factitious disorder involves intentionally falsifying or inducing physical or psychological symptoms for the purpose of assuming the sick role. This choice does not reflect the chronic nature of the symptoms in the scenario, nor does it address the distress experienced by the client.

Choice A rationale:

Conversion disorder. Conversion disorder involves the presence of neurological symptoms, such as paralysis, blindness, or seizures, that cannot be explained by a medical condition. These symptoms typically reflect an unconscious psychological conflict or need. The nurse should be familiar with this disorder as it falls within the category of somatic symptom illnesses.

Choice B rationale:

Unspecified somatic symptom and related disorder. Unspecified somatic symptom and related disorder is not a specific recognized disorder. This choice does not accurately describe a type of somatic symptom illness.

Choice C rationale:

Illness anxiety disorder. Illness anxiety disorder, formerly known as hypochondriasis, involves excessive worry and fear of having a serious illness despite minimal or no medical evidence. Individuals with this disorder often misinterpret bodily sensations as signs of a severe illness. The focus is on the fear of having an illness rather than intentional symptom production.

Choice D rationale:

Chronic medical condition disorder. Chronic medical condition disorder is not a recognized disorder within the somatic symptom illness category. This choice is not accurate in describing a type of somatic symptom illness.

Choice E rationale:

Somatic symptom disorder. Somatic symptom disorder involves distressing and disruptive physical symptoms that may or may not have an identifiable medical cause. The key characteristic is the disproportionate and excessive focus on the symptoms themselves, leading to impaired functioning. This disorder can include intentional symptom production but is not solely defined by it.