Author Question: A patient diagnosed with a somatic symptom disorder says, My pain is from an undiagnosed injury. I ... (Read 29 times)

Arii_bell · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A patient diagnosed with a somatic symptom disorder says, My pain is from an undiagnosed injury. I can't take care of myself. I need pain medicine six or seven times a day. I feel like a baby because my family has to help me so much.

It is important for the nurse to assess:

a. mood.
b. cognitive style.
c. secondary gains.
d. identity and memory.

Question 2

A patient reports fears of having cervical cancer and says to the nurse, I've had Pap smears by six different doctors. The results were normal, but I'm sure that's because of errors in the laboratory. Which disorder would the nurse suspect?

a. Conversion (functional neurological) disorder
b. Illness anxiety disorder (hypochondriasis)
c. Somatic symptom disorder
d. Factitious disorder

tuate · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Secondary gains should be assessed. The patient's dependency needs may be met through care from the family. When secondary gains are prominent, the patient is more resistant to giving up the symptom. The scenario does not allude to a problem of mood. Cognitive style and identity and memory assessment are of lesser concern because the patient's diagnosis has been established.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Patients with illness anxiety disorder have fears of serious medical problems, such as cancer or heart disease. These fears persist despite medical evaluations and interfere with daily functioning. There are no complaints of pain. There is no evidence of factitious or conversion disorder.