In the care of a patient with somatoform disorder, the nurse ...

[khang]

In the care of a patient with somatoform disorder, the nurse should anticipate that drug treatment will prioritize which of the following classes in order to treat the disorder?
 
  A) Benzodiazepines
  B) SSRIs
  C) MAOIs
  D) Hypnotics

Question 2

Following a long history of multiple visits to community clinics and emergency departments, a woman has been diagnosed with hypochondriasis.
 
  During this current visit to the emergency department, the client has just been informed that diagnostic testing and assessment reveal no severe illness. The client, however, persists in verbalizing varied physical complaints. How should the nurse respond to this?
 
  A) Have a different member of the care team present the test and assessment results to the client.
  B) Facilitate a repeat of the previous diagnostic testing in order to appease the client.
  C) Set limits with the client about her complaints.
  D) Feign an assessment of the client in order to calm her anxiety.

[emsimon14]

Answer to Question 1

Ans: B
SSRIs are used in the treatment of somatoform disorder. Benzodiazepines may be occasionally indicated but are not an appropriate form of primary treatment due to the potential for dependence and difficult withdrawal. MAOIs and hypnotics are not commonly used in the treatment of the disorder.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: C
If a client with the diagnosis of hypochondriasis has been told that he or she has no life-threatening or severe illness, but the client continues to verbalize clinical symptoms, limit-setting is used. A false assessment is unethical, and repeating diagnostic testing reinforces the client's behavior. Having diagnostic results presented by another member of the care team is unlikely to eliminate the client's concerns.