Which areas should the nurse assess to determine the effects of external variables on a patient's illness? (Select all that apply.)
a. Patient's perception of the illness
b. Patient's coping skills
c. Socioeconomic status
d. Cultural background
e. Social support
ANS: C, D, E
External variables influencing a patient's illness behavior include the visibility of symptoms, social group, cultural background, economic variables, accessibility of the health care system, and social support. Internal variables include the patient's perceptions of symptoms and the nature of the illness, as well as the patient's coping skills and locus of control.
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