Author Question: A patient who fears serious heart disease was referred to the mental health center by a cardiologist ... (Read 74 times)

Bob-Dole · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A patient who fears serious heart disease was referred to the mental health center by a cardiologist after extensive diagnostic evaluation showed no physical illness. The patient says, I have tightness in my chest and my heart misses beats.

I'm frequently absent from work. I don't go out much because I need to rest. Which health problem is most likely?

a. Dysthymic disorder
b. Antisocial personality disorder
c. Simple somatic symptom disorder
d. Prominent health anxiety (hypochondriasis)

Question 2

A patient has blindness related to a functional neurological (conversion) disorder. To help the patient eat, the nurse should:

a. establish a buddy system with other patients who can feed the patient at each meal.
b. expect the patient to feed him- or herself after explaining the arrangement of the food on the tray.
c. direct the patient to locate items on the tray independently and feed self unassisted.
d. address the needs of other patients in the dining room, and then feed this patient.

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

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Prominent health anxiety (hypochondriasis) involves a 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. Simple 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.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
The patient is expected to maintain some level of independence by feeding him- or herself, whereas the nurse is supportive in a matter-of-fact way. The distracters support dependency or offer little support.