A nurse is caring for a young adult client who has somatic symptom disorder and is being evaluated for chest pain.
The client's laboratory results are all within the expected reference ranges, the ECG is unremarkable, and the client has no identified cardiac risk factors.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Refer the client for flooding therapy.
Inform the client that the pain is not real.
Provide reassurance to the client.
Encourage the client to request invasive cardiac testing.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
Flooding therapy is not typically used for somatic symptom disorder.
Choice B rationale:
Telling a client that their pain is not real can invalidate their experience and is not a recommended approach for somatic symptom disorder.
Choice C rationale:
Providing reassurance to the client is a recommended approach when all tests are normal and there are no identified risk factors.
Choice D rationale:
Encouraging the client to request invasive cardiac testing is not typically recommended when all tests are normal and there are no identified risk factors.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","E","F"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Anxiety is a common symptom of somatic symptom disorder, as patients often experience significant distress about their physical symptoms.
Choice B rationale:
Gastrointestinal distress, such as stomach pain and diarrhea, can be manifestations of somatic symptom disorder. These symptoms can cause significant distress and disrupt daily life.
Choice C rationale:
Pain, especially when it is not linked to a clear physical cause, can be a symptom of somatic symptom disorder. The distress caused by the pain is often out of proportion to its severity.
Choice D rationale:
Bipolar disorder is a separate mental health condition and is not a symptom of somatic symptom disorder.
Choice E rationale:
Fixation on health, particularly an excessive preoccupation with physical symptoms, is a key feature of somatic symptom disorder.
Choice F rationale:
Depression can often co-occur with somatic symptom disorder, as the distress and disruption caused by the physical symptoms can lead to feelings of sadness and hopelessness.
Choice G rationale:
Localized amnesia is not a symptom of somatic symptom disorder. It is more commonly associated with other mental health conditions, such as dissociative disorders.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Asking “What are the voices telling you to do?” shows empathy and concern without validating the hallucination.
Choice B rationale:
Asking “Why do you think you are hearing the voices?” might imply that the nurse is validating the hallucination.
Choice C rationale:
Telling the client “You need to understand that there are no voices.”. might make the client feel misunderstood.
Choice D rationale:
Telling the client “You need to tell the voices to leave you alone.”. is not recommended as it might validate the hallucination.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.