Exam 3 - Somatic

Question 1

What is somatic symptom disorder?

Answer 1

• One or more somatic symptoms that are distressing or result in significant disruption of daily life
• Excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to these symptoms as manifested by at least one of the following:
  
  • Disproportionate and persistent thoughts about the seriousness of one’s symptoms
  • Persistently high level of anxiety about the symptoms
  • Excessive time and energy devoted to the symptoms
• Symptoms present at least 6 months

Question 2

What is conversion disorder?

Answer 2

• Loss or change in body function as a result of a psychological conflict
• Physical symptoms are not explained by a medical condition
• Affect voluntary motor or sensory functioning suggestive of pseudo-neurological disorders
  
  • Paralysis
  • Aphonia
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Blindness
  • Deafness
  • Seizures

Question 3

What are some characteristics of conversion disorder?

Answer 3

• Frequent visits to the physician in an effort to obtain relief
• Excessive use of analgesics
• Requests for surgery
• Depression is common and often severe
• Dependence on addictive substances not uncommon

Question 4

What is primary gain in relation to conversion disorder?

Question 5

What is secondary gain?

Question 6

What is pseudocyesis?

Answer 6

When women believe they are pregnant, but they are not. They may look pregnant, gain weight, labor symptoms

Question 7

What is illness anxiety disorder?

Answer 7

• Preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illnes
• Somatic symptoms are not present, or if present, are only mild in intensity. If another medical condition is present or there is a high risk for developing a medical condition, the preoccupation is clearly excessive

Question 8

What are some characteristics of illness anxiety disorder?

Answer 8

• High level of anxiety about health.
• Individual performs excessive health-related behaviors (e.g. repeatedly check body for signs of illness) or exhibits maladaptive avoidance (e.g. avoids doctor’s appointments).
• Illness preoccupation present at least 6 months

Question 9

What are the goals for patients with somatic symptom disorders?

Answer 9

• Interprets body sensations rationally
• Verbalizes significance of the irrational fear
• Has decreased number and frequency of physical complaints
• Makes life changes for improvement and accepts situations that cannot be changed

Question 10

What are some nursing interventions for patients with somatic symptom disorders?

Answer 10

• Monitor ongoing assessments and laboratory reports
• Assess need for dependency
• Identify times when symptoms are worse
• Convey empathy
• Help patient identify techniques that will be most helpful when fear and anxiety are exacerbated.
• Encourage patient to discuss feelings associated with fear of serious illness

Question 11

What are some treatment options for somatic symptom disorders?

Answer 11

• Cognitive behavioral therapy, supportive therapy, group therapy, stress reduction, relaxation training, psychodynamic therapy
• Be supportive and available to talk with patient, provide physical care
• May include medication, biofeedback (they see their physiological values to try to control the symptoms), massage, physical therapy

Question 12

What are the 2 types of factitious disorders?

Answer 12

Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self:

• Falsification of physical or psychological signs or symptoms: individual presents himself or herself to others as ill, impaired, or injured

Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another:

• Falsification of physical or psychological signs or symptoms: individual presents another individual (victim) to others as ill, impaired, or injured

Question 13

What are some treatment options for factitious disorders?

Answer 13

• Reduce misuse of overuse of medical resources
• In factitious disorder by proxy, ensure safety or real or potential victims
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Family therapy
• Medications to treat symptoms (depression, anxiety)