A nurse is caring for a client who has persistent physical symptoms that are not fully explained by a medical condition. These symptoms are causing significant distress and impairment in the client's daily life. Which of the following factors may contribute to the development and maintenance of the client's somatic symptom illness?
Genetic predisposition and neurobiological abnormalities.
Substance use or withdrawal and medication side effects.
Childhood abuse or neglect and family history of mental disorders.
Social isolation and cultural expectations regarding health.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
Genetic predisposition and neurobiological abnormalities - Somatic symptom illnesses often have a genetic component, with certain individuals being more susceptible due to genetic factors that influence the way their brain and nervous system respond to stress and emotions. Neurobiological abnormalities can lead to altered perception and processing of bodily sensations, contributing to the development and persistence of these illnesses.
Choice B rationale:
Substance use or withdrawal and medication side effects - While substance use, withdrawal, and medication side effects can impact an individual's overall well-being and potentially exacerbate physical symptoms, they are not core factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of somatic symptom illnesses.
Choice C rationale:
Childhood abuse or neglect and family history of mental disorders - These factors can contribute to the development of various mental health conditions, but they are not specific to somatic symptom illnesses. Somatic symptom illnesses involve the interaction between emotional factors and physical symptoms that are not fully explained by medical conditions.
Choice D rationale:
Social isolation and cultural expectations regarding health - While social isolation and cultural expectations can influence an individual's perception of health and illness, they are more likely to play a secondary role in the context of somatic symptom illnesses. These illnesses are primarily rooted in the interaction between psychological and physiological factors.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
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.
Correct Answer is ["B","C","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The client experiences altered voluntary motor functions. This choice is not accurate in describing illness anxiety disorder. Altered voluntary motor functions are more characteristic of conversion disorder, not illness anxiety disorder.
Choice B rationale:
The client has excessive or maladaptive responses to symptoms. This choice accurately describes illness anxiety disorder. Individuals with this disorder exhibit excessive worry and preoccupation with the possibility of having a serious illness, often responding to mild or non-specific symptoms with disproportionate anxiety and distress.
Choice C rationale:
The client is preoccupied with having a serious illness. This choice is correct in describing illness anxiety disorder. Preoccupation with having a serious illness, despite little or no medical evidence, is a hallmark of this disorder. This preoccupation can lead to significant distress and impairment in daily functioning.
Choice D rationale:
The client intentionally produces physical symptoms. This choice is not accurate for illness anxiety disorder. Intentional symptom production is more characteristic of factitious disorder, where individuals purposefully produce or feign symptoms for various reasons.
Choice E rationale:
The client's symptoms are not intentionally produced and cause distress. This choice accurately characterizes illness anxiety disorder. The symptoms experienced by individuals with this disorder are not intentionally produced but are associated with distress due to the individual's persistent fear and belief in having a serious illness.
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