VarcarolisVarcarolis
Chapter 12Chapter
Somatic
12 Symptom
Somatic Symptom
& Dissociative
& Dissociative
DisordersDisorders
QuestionsQuestions
& Answers& Answers
2026_2027
2026_2027
_ Study Guide
_ Study
& Exam
Guide Prep.pdf
& Exam Prep.pdf Page 1
Varcarolis Chapter 12 Somatic
Symptom & Dissociative Disorders
Questions & Answers 2026/2027 |
Study Guide & Exam Prep
Page 1 of 31 Varcarolis Chapter 12 Somatic Symptom & Dissociative
PageDisorders
1 of 31 Questions & Answers 2026_2027 _ Study Guide & Exam Prep.pdf
,Varcarolis Ch. 12_ Somatic System Disorders and Dissociative Disorders.pdf
Varcarolis Ch. 12_ Somatic System Disorders and Dissociative Disorders.pdf Page 2
A medical-surgical nurse works with a patient diagnosed with a somatic system disorder.
Care planning is facilitated by understanding that the patient will probably:
a. readily seek psychiatric counseling.
b. be resistant to accepting psychiatric help.
c. attend psychotherapy sessions without encouragement.
d. be eager to discover the true reasons for physical symptoms.
b. be resistant to accepting psychiatric help.
Patients with somatic system disorders go from physician to physician trying to establish a
physical cause for their symptoms. When a psychological basis is suggested and a referral
for counseling is offered, these patients reject both.
Page 2 of 31 Page 2 of 31 Varcarolis Ch. 12_ Somatic System Disorders and Dissociative Disorders.pdf
,Varcarolis Ch. 12_ Somatic System Disorders and Dissociative Disorders.pdf
Varcarolis Ch. 12_ Somatic System Disorders and Dissociative Disorders.pdf Page 3
A patient has blindness related to a functional neurological (conversion) disorder but is
unconcerned about this problem. Which understanding should guide the nurses planning for
this patient? The patient is:
a. suppressing accurate feelings regarding the problem.
b. relieving anxiety through the physical symptom.
c. meeting needs through hospitalization.
d. refusing to disclose genuine fears.
b. relieving anxiety through the physical symptom.
Psychoanalytic theory suggests conversion reduces anxiety through the production of a
physical symptom that is symbolically linked to an underlying conflict. Conversion, not
suppression, is the operative defense mechanism in this disorder. The other distractors
oversimplify the dynamics, suggesting that only dependency needs are of concern, or
suggest conscious motivation (conversion operates unconsciously).
Page 3 of 31 Page 3 of 31 Varcarolis Ch. 12_ Somatic System Disorders and Dissociative Disorders.pdf
, Varcarolis Ch. 12_ Somatic System Disorders and Dissociative Disorders.pdf
Varcarolis Ch. 12_ Somatic System Disorders and Dissociative Disorders.pdf Page 4
A patient has blindness related to a functional neurological (conversion) disorder. To help
the patient eat, the nurse should:
a. establish a buddy system with other patients who can feed the patient at each meal.
b. expect the patient to feed himself or herself after explaining the arrangement of the food
on the tray.
c. direct the patient to locate items on the tray independently and feed himself or herself
unassisted.
d. address the needs of other patients in the dining room, and then feed this patient.
b. expect the patient to feed himself or herself after explaining the arrangement of the food
on the tray.
The patient is expected to maintain some level of independence by feeding himself or
herself, whereas the nurse is supportive in a matter-of-fact way. The distractors support
dependency or offer little support.
Page 4 of 31 Page 4 of 31 Varcarolis Ch. 12_ Somatic System Disorders and Dissociative Disorders.pdf
Chapter 12Chapter
Somatic
12 Symptom
Somatic Symptom
& Dissociative
& Dissociative
DisordersDisorders
QuestionsQuestions
& Answers& Answers
2026_2027
2026_2027
_ Study Guide
_ Study
& Exam
Guide Prep.pdf
& Exam Prep.pdf Page 1
Varcarolis Chapter 12 Somatic
Symptom & Dissociative Disorders
Questions & Answers 2026/2027 |
Study Guide & Exam Prep
Page 1 of 31 Varcarolis Chapter 12 Somatic Symptom & Dissociative
PageDisorders
1 of 31 Questions & Answers 2026_2027 _ Study Guide & Exam Prep.pdf
,Varcarolis Ch. 12_ Somatic System Disorders and Dissociative Disorders.pdf
Varcarolis Ch. 12_ Somatic System Disorders and Dissociative Disorders.pdf Page 2
A medical-surgical nurse works with a patient diagnosed with a somatic system disorder.
Care planning is facilitated by understanding that the patient will probably:
a. readily seek psychiatric counseling.
b. be resistant to accepting psychiatric help.
c. attend psychotherapy sessions without encouragement.
d. be eager to discover the true reasons for physical symptoms.
b. be resistant to accepting psychiatric help.
Patients with somatic system disorders go from physician to physician trying to establish a
physical cause for their symptoms. When a psychological basis is suggested and a referral
for counseling is offered, these patients reject both.
Page 2 of 31 Page 2 of 31 Varcarolis Ch. 12_ Somatic System Disorders and Dissociative Disorders.pdf
,Varcarolis Ch. 12_ Somatic System Disorders and Dissociative Disorders.pdf
Varcarolis Ch. 12_ Somatic System Disorders and Dissociative Disorders.pdf Page 3
A patient has blindness related to a functional neurological (conversion) disorder but is
unconcerned about this problem. Which understanding should guide the nurses planning for
this patient? The patient is:
a. suppressing accurate feelings regarding the problem.
b. relieving anxiety through the physical symptom.
c. meeting needs through hospitalization.
d. refusing to disclose genuine fears.
b. relieving anxiety through the physical symptom.
Psychoanalytic theory suggests conversion reduces anxiety through the production of a
physical symptom that is symbolically linked to an underlying conflict. Conversion, not
suppression, is the operative defense mechanism in this disorder. The other distractors
oversimplify the dynamics, suggesting that only dependency needs are of concern, or
suggest conscious motivation (conversion operates unconsciously).
Page 3 of 31 Page 3 of 31 Varcarolis Ch. 12_ Somatic System Disorders and Dissociative Disorders.pdf
, Varcarolis Ch. 12_ Somatic System Disorders and Dissociative Disorders.pdf
Varcarolis Ch. 12_ Somatic System Disorders and Dissociative Disorders.pdf Page 4
A patient has blindness related to a functional neurological (conversion) disorder. To help
the patient eat, the nurse should:
a. establish a buddy system with other patients who can feed the patient at each meal.
b. expect the patient to feed himself or herself after explaining the arrangement of the food
on the tray.
c. direct the patient to locate items on the tray independently and feed himself or herself
unassisted.
d. address the needs of other patients in the dining room, and then feed this patient.
b. expect the patient to feed himself or herself after explaining the arrangement of the food
on the tray.
The patient is expected to maintain some level of independence by feeding himself or
herself, whereas the nurse is supportive in a matter-of-fact way. The distractors support
dependency or offer little support.
Page 4 of 31 Page 4 of 31 Varcarolis Ch. 12_ Somatic System Disorders and Dissociative Disorders.pdf
