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The husband of a woman with a somatic symptom illness asks the nurse why the doctors cannot find anything wrong with her. What is the appropriate explanation for the nurse to offer?

"She controls the symptoms when she isn't feeling much stress. It is hard to diagnose when the symptoms are intermittent."

"There is a physical cause. It just has not been detected yet."

"She is not really experiencing the symptoms. She is making them up to get attention."

"There is no physical cause. Mental distress is causing the symptoms, even though she is not aware of it."

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A reason: While stress can influence symptom severity, somatic symptom illness is not simply intermittent control. This explanation is incomplete and misleading.

Choice B reason: Stating there is a physical cause misinforms the family. Somatic symptom illness is psychological in origin, not undetected physical disease.

Choice C reason: Suggesting the client is fabricating symptoms is inaccurate and stigmatizing. The symptoms are real to the client, even if not physically caused.

Choice D reason: Mental distress manifests as physical symptoms in somatic symptom illness. The client is not consciously aware of the psychological origin, making this the most accurate and therapeutic explanation.

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Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","F"]

Explanation

Choice A reason: Suspicion of strangers is common due to hypervigilance and mistrust, which are hallmark symptoms of PTSD.

Choice B reason: Talking about problems to friends is adaptive and not typically reported by clients with PTSD, who often avoid discussing trauma.

Choice C reason: Inability to relax reflects persistent hyperarousal, a core symptom of PTSD. Clients remain tense and on guard.

Choice D reason: Increased alcohol consumption is a maladaptive coping mechanism often used to numb distressing symptoms.

Choice E reason: Wanting to sleep all the time is more consistent with depression, not PTSD. PTSD is associated with hyperarousal and difficulty sleeping.

Choice F reason: Insomnia even when fatigued is a classic symptom of PTSD. Clients struggle to sleep due to nightmares, hypervigilance, and intrusive thoughts.

A. "Illness anxiety disorder is an illness not fully explained by a diagnosed medical condition." B. "Illness anxiety disorder is characterized by a variety of symptoms over a number of years." C. "Illness anxiety disorder is a persistent preoccupation with getting a serious disease." D. "Illness anxiety disorder is the eventual result of excessive worrying about diseases."

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: This describes somatic symptom disorder, not illness anxiety disorder.

Choice B reason: A variety of symptoms over years is more consistent with somatic symptom disorder.

Choice C reason: Persistent preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness is the defining feature of illness anxiety disorder. Clients may misinterpret normal sensations and remain preoccupied despite reassurance.

Choice D reason: Excessive worrying may contribute, but illness anxiety disorder is not simply the eventual result of worry; it is a distinct psychiatric diagnosis.

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The husband of a woman with a somatic symptom illness asks the nurse why the doctors cannot find anything wrong with her. What is the appropriate explanation for the nurse to offer?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse who is assessing a client with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) would expect the client to report which data? Select all that apply.

Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","F"]

Explanation

The client’s family asks the nurse, "What is illness anxiety disorder?" What is the best response by the nurse?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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