Varcarolis Chapter 17_ Somatic Symptom Disorders.pdf Page 1
Varcarolis Chapter 17_ Somatic
Symptom Disorders
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Which assessment data would help the health care team distinguish symptoms of conversion
(functional neurological) disorder from symptoms of illness anxiety disorder
(hypochondriasis)?
a.Voluntary control of symptoms
b. Patient's style of presentation
c. Results of diagnostic testing
d. The role of secondary gains
ANS: B
Patients with illness anxiety disorder (hypochondriasis) tend to be more anxious about their
concerns and display more obsessive attention to detail, whereas the patient with
conversion (functional neurological) disorder often exhibits less concern with the symptom
they are presenting than would be expected. Neither disorder involves voluntary control of
the symptoms. Results of diagnostic testing for both would be negative (i.e., no
physiological basis would be found for the symptoms). Secondary gains can occur in both
disorders but are not necessary to either. See relationship to audience response question.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
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REF: Page 325-327 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
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