The husband of a client diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder asks the nurse, "What causes this condition?" Which response by the nurse would be most accurate?
A) "There is definitely an underlying genetic link for this disorder."
B) "Your wife is experiencing chronic stress that causes hypoarousal."
C) "The symptoms reflect an emotion that your wife cannot verbalize."
D) "The symptoms reflect an internal preoccupation with events."
Ans: C
Somatic symptom disorder has been explained as a form of social or emotional communication, meaning that the body symptoms express an emotion that cannot be verbalized by the individual. Although there is some evidence to support a genetic component, the exact transmission mechanism is unclear. In individuals with this disorder, chronic activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis indicates a hyperarousal condition from chronic stress. Additionally, the personality trait alexithymia is associated with somatic symptoms. These individuals have difficulty identifying and expressing their emotions, have a preoccupation with external events, and are described as concrete thinkers.
You might also like to view...
Guillain-Barré syndrome is frequently associated with
A) descending paralysis/weakness. B) history of a recent viral infection. C) seizures. D) none of the above.
A factory abruptly closes; workers receive no warning and no explanation. An office worker tries to take it in stride and begins the job search, updating his resume, submitting applications, and offering support to his peers
Which assessment question would be most important to ask at this time? a. "Tell me how has this affected you, how things seem to you.". b. "What do you think you will do if your plan does not work?" c. "Tell me about some other difficult times you've been through.". d. "Tell me who cares about you, supports you, who you can count on.".
The population health nurse is concerned that a group of lifeguards who refuse to use sunscreen might develop skin cancer. On what is the nurse focusing this concern?
1. Risk. 2. Cases. 3. Mortality. 4. Morbidity.
A client is recovering from a gastrojejunostomy (Billroth II) for treatment of duodenal ulcer. About 20 minutes after lunch, the client develops dizziness, weakness, palpitations, and the urge to defecate
To avoid recurrence of these symptoms, which measures does the nurse teach the client? A) Increase fluid intake with meals and lie down 30 minutes after meals. B) Eat a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet in six small feedings a day. C) Decrease fluid intake with meals and lie down after meals. D) Drink fruit juice after each meal.