To plan effective care for patients diagnosed with somatic ...

[schs14]

To plan effective care for patients diagnosed with somatic symptom disorders, the nurse should understand that patients have difficulty giving up the symptoms because the symptoms:
 
  a. are generally chronic.
  b. have a physiological basis.
  c. can be voluntarily controlled.
  d. provide relief from health anxiety.

Question 2

A patient with fears of serious heart disease was referred to the mental health center by a cardiologist. Extensive diagnostic evaluation showed no physical illness. The patient says, My chest is tight, and my heart misses beats.
 
  I'm often absent from work. I don't go out much because I need to rest. Which health problem is most likely?
 
  a. Dysthymic disorder
  b. Somatic symptom disorder
  c. Antisocial personality disorder
  d. Illness anxiety disorder (hypochondriasis)

[frogdreck123456]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
At the unconscious level, the patient's primary gain from the symptoms is anxiety relief. Considering that the symptoms actually make the patient more psychologically comfortable and may also provide secondary gain, patients frequently fiercely cling to the symptoms. The symptoms tend to be chronic, but that does not explain why they are difficult to give up. The symptoms are not under voluntary control or physiologically based.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Illness anxiety disorder (hypochondriasis) involves preoccupation with fears of having a serious disease even when evidence to the contrary is available. The preoccupation causes impairment in social or occupational functioning. Somatic symptom disorder involves fewer symptoms. Dysthymic disorder is a disorder of lowered mood. Antisocial disorder applies to a personality disorder in which the individual has little regard for the rights of others. See relationship to audience response question.

[schs14]

Excellent

[recede]

TYSM