A nurse is providing care for several clients with somatic symptom illnesses. Which of the following clients is most likely to have illness anxiety disorder?
A client with altered motor functions and sensory symptoms.
A client intentionally producing physical symptoms for attention.
A client preoccupied with having a serious illness despite minimal symptoms.
A client experiencing chronic physical symptoms with excessive responses.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
Altered motor functions and sensory symptoms are more indicative of conversion disorder rather than illness anxiety disorder. Conversion disorder involves neurological symptoms that cannot be medically explained, which contrasts with the preoccupation with serious illness seen in illness anxiety disorder.
Choice B rationale:
Intentionally producing physical symptoms for attention aligns with factitious disorder, where individuals feign or induce symptoms to assume the sick role. This behavior does not align with the diagnostic criteria for illness anxiety disorder.
Choice C rationale:
This choice correctly identifies the key characteristic of illness anxiety disorder, which involves excessive worry about having a serious illness despite minimal or no symptoms. This preoccupation causes distress and often leads the individual to seek medical reassurance repeatedly.
Choice D rationale:
Experiencing chronic physical symptoms with excessive responses might be seen in somatic symptom disorder, where the distress and impairment caused by the symptoms are disproportionate. However, this choice does not specifically address the preoccupation with serious illness that defines illness anxiety disorder.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Discouraging the client from seeking professional help would be detrimental to their well-being. Somatic symptom illness often requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving both medical and psychological interventions. Encouraging professional help-seeking is essential for effective management.
Choice B rationale:
Promoting passive-aggressive behavior as a coping strategy is not appropriate. Passive-aggressive behavior can hinder effective communication and exacerbate the client's distress. Encouraging healthy coping mechanisms and addressing the underlying psychological factors is a more beneficial approach.
Choice C rationale:
Educating the client about the role of psychological factors is crucial because somatic symptom illness often has psychological components. Helping the client understand the mind-body connection can empower them to recognize how emotional stressors can manifest as physical symptoms. This knowledge can aid the client in managing their condition more effectively.
Choice D rationale:
Advising the client to continue avoiding physical activities is not recommended. Encouraging physical activity within the client's capabilities can have positive effects on their overall well-being. Avoidance of physical activities might lead to deconditioning and worsen the client's physical and emotional state.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Symptoms that are fully explained by a medical condition - Somatic symptom illnesses are characterized by physical symptoms that are not fully explained by medical conditions. If symptoms are entirely accounted for by a medical diagnosis, the individual may not meet the criteria for a somatic symptom illness.
Choice B rationale:
Symptoms that remain constant in intensity and location - Somatic symptom illnesses often involve symptoms that are variable in intensity and may migrate to different body systems over time. This variability is influenced by emotional factors and distinguishes these illnesses from conditions with consistent, anatomically based symptoms.
Choice C rationale:
Symptoms that are proportional to the underlying cause - Somatic symptom illnesses can lead to symptoms that are disproportionate to the underlying medical cause. This disproportionate relationship between symptoms and physiological findings is a key characteristic of these illnesses.
Choice D rationale:
Symptoms that may migrate from one body system to another - This is a characteristic feature of somatic symptom illnesses. The migration of symptoms across different body systems is often seen and is related to the complex interplay between emotional and physiological factors.
Choice E rationale:
Symptoms that do not affect psychological well-being - Somatic symptom illnesses inherently involve a significant impact on psychological well-being. The distress and impairment caused by the physical symptoms are a core aspect of these illnesses, differentiating them from purely physical conditions.
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