Author Question: The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID). Which ... (Read 78 times)

captainjonesify · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID). Which statements by the patient best describes the manifestations of this disorder? Select all that apply.

1. I feel like my body is here but my mind is not.
2. I have chronic pain, not a psychological problem.
3. I can't really find any words to describe my feelings.
4. I sometimes feel like I am floating in the air looking down at myself.
5. I cannot recall the events that happened during certain periods of time.

Question 2

A patient diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder is in the emergency department after attempting suicide. After a thorough assessment the nurse determines the attempted suicide was in response to which event?

1. Drug abuse and living homeless on streets
2. Childhood sexual abuse by biological father
3. Unidentified continuous abdominal and neck pain
4. Multiple somatic and psychological issues over the past 6 months

1_Step_At_ATime · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: 1, 4, 5
Explanation: Dissociative disorders are characterized by a combination of fragmented memories (which may result in fragmented personalities), difficulties with memory recall, and dissociative behavior patterns. Depersonalization, a manifestation of dissociative disorders, is the experience of unreality or detachment from the individual's mind, sense of self, and/or physical body. Dissociations are unwelcome intrusions that occur with losses of continuity of time, changes in ability to relate to others, and amnesia, or the inability to recall what the person was doing during the dissociation. The client stating physical pain, not psychological suffering, is manifesting a somatic symptom. Difficulty describing or discussing feelings is seen in somatic symptom and related disorders.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: 2
Explanation: Patients with dissociative identity disorder have sustained horrific physical and psychological abuse over time. These events lead to the patient experiencing multiple ego states that help the patient survive the trauma. Suicidal ideation is common among patients with this disorder. The other answer choices are not indicative of dissociative identity disorder.