A nurse on a mental health unit is leading a group therapy session for a group of clients. Which of the following statements should the nurse expect from a client who has illness anxiety disorder?

A. “I check my breasts for lumps every day, but I’m still really scared about getting breast cancer.”: This statement reflects excessive worry about a specific medical condition (breast cancer) despite engaging in frequent checking behaviors. It is consistent with illness anxiety disorder.

B. “I have had several negative pregnancy tests but know they are all wrong.”: This statement suggests a belief that contradicts objective evidence (negative pregnancy tests) and may indicate a somatic symptom disorder or a delusional disorder rather than illness anxiety disorder.

C. “I double-check my pills because I think the pharmacist may be putting poison in them.”: This statement reflects mistrust or paranoia about medications and the intentions of the pharmacist. While it involves health-related concerns, it may be more indicative of paranoid ideation or delusional beliefs.

D. “I feel really nervous when my partner goes to work, and I am home alone during the day.”: This statement describes anxiety related to separation from a partner and being alone, which is not a characteristic feature of illness anxiety disorder. It may be more indicative of generalized anxiety disorder or separation anxiety disorder.

A. Illusion: An illusion is a misinterpretation or misperception of a real external stimulus. It involves a distortion of sensory perception, but the client's statement does not suggest a misperception of reality.

B. Hallucination: A hallucination is a sensory perception in the absence of any external stimulus. It involves experiencing something that is not present in reality. The client's statement does not indicate experiencing a sensory perception that is not real.

C. Attention-seeking behavior: While the client's statement may draw attention to their distress, it is important not to dismiss it as merely attention-seeking behavior. The client's request for the pen to alleviate emotional pain suggests a deeper psychological issue and a genuine risk for self-harm.

D. Self-mutilation: Self-mutilation refers to intentional self-inflicted injury or harm to one's body tissue without the intent to die. The client's statement about using the pen to cut the pain out of their chest indicates a clear risk for self-mutilation.