Author Question: A patient reports fears of having cervical cancer and says to the nurse, I've had Pap smears by six ... (Read 18 times)

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

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

a. Functional neurologic (conversion) disorder
b. Prominent health anxiety (hypochondriasis)
c. Predominant (pain) disorder
d. Dissociative fugue

Question 2

A nurse counseling a patient with a dissociative identity disorder should understand that the assessment of highest priority is:

a. Risk for self-harm
b. Cognitive functioning
c. Identification of drug abuse
d. Readiness to reestablish identity or memory

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

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Patients with hypochondriasis have fears of serious medical problems such as cancer or heart disease. These fears persist, despite medical evaluations, and interfere with daily functioning. No complaints of pain are made, and no evidence of dissociation or conversion exists.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Assessments that relate to patient safety take priority. Patients with dissociative identity disorders may be at risk for suicide or self-mutilation; therefore the nurse must be alert for hints of hopelessness, helplessness and worthlessness, low self-esteem, and impulses to self-mutilate. The distracters are important assessments but rank beneath safety.