NURS 3381 Exam 3 Questions with Correct Answers Latest Update 2025/2026
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: - Answers be resistant to
accepting psychiatric help.
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: - Answers relieving anxiety through the physical symptom.
A patient has blindness related to a functional neurological (conversion) disorder. To help the
patient eat, the nurse should: - Answers expect the patient to feed himself or herself after
explaining the arrangement of the food on the tray
A patient with blindness related to a functional neurological (conversion) disorder says, All the
doctors and nurses in this hospital stop by often to check on me. Too bad people outside the
hospital dont find me interesting. Which nursing diagnosis is most relevant? - Answers Chronic
low self-esteem
To assist a patient diagnosed with a somatic system disorder, a nursing intervention of high
priority is to: - Answers shift the focus from somatic symptoms to feelings.
A patient who fears serious heart disease was referred to the mental health center by a
cardiologist after diagnostic evaluation showed no physical illness. The patient says, My heart
misses beats. Im frequently absent from work. I dont go out much because I need to rest.
Which health problem is most likely? - Answers Illness anxiety disorder (hypochondriasis)
A nurse assessing a patient diagnosed with a somatic system disorder is most likely to note
that the patient: - Answers has unmet needs related to comfort and activity.
To plan effective care for patients diagnosed with somatic system disorders, the nurse should
understand that patients have difficulty giving up the symptoms because the symptoms: -
Answers provide relief from health anxiety.
A patient diagnosed with a somatic symptom disorder has the nursing diagnosis: Interrupted
family processes, related to patients disabling symptoms as evidenced by the spouse and
children assuming roles and tasks that previously belonged to patient. An appropriate outcome
is that the patient will: - Answers demonstrate a resumption of former roles and tasks
A woman wears a size 7 shoe. She says, My feet are huge. Ive asked three orthopedists to
surgically reduce my feet. The patient tries to buy shoes to make her feet look smaller and, in
social settings, conceals both feet under a table or chair. Which health problem is likely? -
Answers Body dysmorphic disorder
Which assessment finding best supports the diagnosis of dissociative amnesia with fugue? The
,patient states: - Answers I cannot recall why Im living in this town
A college student observes a roommate going out wearing uncharacteristically seductive
clothing, returning 12 to 24 hours later, and then sleeping for 8 to 12 hours. At other times, the
roommate sits on the floor speaking like a young child. Which health problem should be
considered? - Answers Dissociative identity disorder
A nurse assesses a patient diagnosed with functional neurological (conversion) disorder. Which
comment is most likely from this patient? - Answers Since my father died, Ive been short of
breath and had sharp pains that go down my left arm, but I think its justindigestion.
A nurse counsels a patient diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder. Which nursing diagnosis
would be a priority for the plan of care? - Answers Risk for suicide
Select the correct etiology to complete this nursing diagnosis for a patient diagnosed with
dissociative identity disorder: Disturbed personal identity, related to: - Answers cognitive
distortions associated with unresolved childhood abuse issues
For a patient diagnosed with dissociative amnesia, complete this outcome: Within 4 weeks, the
patient will demonstrate an ability to execute complex mental processes by: - Answers
describing previously forgotten experiences
15. A person comes to the clinic reporting, I wear a scarf across my lower face when I go out
but because of my ugly appearance. Assessment reveals an average appearance with no actual
disfigurement. Which problem is most likely? - Answers Body dysmorphic disorder
A nurse counseling a patient diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID) should
understand that the assessment of highest priority is: - Answers risk for self-harm
A patient says, I feel detached and weird all the time, like Im looking at life through a cloudy
window. - Answers Depersonalization
A patient reports fears of having cervical cancer and says to the nurse, Ive had Pap smears by
six different doctors. The results are normal, but Im sure thats because of errors in the
laboratory. Which disorder would the nurse suspect? - Answers Illness anxiety disorder
(hypochondriasis)
A patient diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder says, I have pain from an undiagnosed
injury. I cant take care of myself. I need pain medicine six or seven times a day. I feel like a baby
because my family has to help me so much. It is important for the nurse to assess: - Answers
secondary gains
The causes of somatic system disorders may be related to: - Answers faulty perceptions of
body sensations.
What is the primary difference between somatic system disorders and dissociative disorders? -
, Answers Dissociative disorders entail stress-related disruptions of memory, consciousness, or
identity, whereas somatic system disorders involve the expression of psychological stress
through somatic symptoms.
A patient says, I know I have a brain tumor despite the results of the magnetic resonance image
(MRI). The radiologist is wrong. People who have brain tumors vomit, and yesterday I vomited
all day. Which response by the nurse fosters cognitive restructuring? - Answers Lets see
whether any other explanations for your vomiting are possible
Which treatment modality should a nurse recommend to help a patient diagnosed with somatic
symptom disorder cope more effectively? - Answers Relaxation
A patient diagnosed with depersonalization disorder tells the nurse, Its starting again. I feel as
though Im going to float away. The nurse should help the patient by: - Answers helping the
patient focus on the here and now
A patient diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder has been in treatment for 4 weeks. The
patient says, Although Im still having pain, I notice it less and am able to perform more activities.
The nurse should evaluate the treatment plan as: - Answers partially successful
A therapist recently convicted of multiple counts of Medicare fraud says, SureI overbilled. Why
not? Everyone takes advantage of the government, so I did too. These statements show: -
Answers lack of guilt feelings.
Which intervention is appropriate for a patient diagnosed with an antisocial personality disorder
who frequently manipulates others? - Answers Refer the patients requests and questions to the
case manager.
As a nurse prepares to administer a medication to a patient diagnosed with a borderline
personality disorder, the patient says, Just leave it on the table. Ill take it when I finish combing
my hair. What is the nurses best response? - Answers Say to the patient, I must watch you take
the medication. Please take it now.
What is an appropriate initial outcome for a patient diagnosed with a personality disorder who
frequently manipulates others? The patient will: - Answers acknowledge manipulative behavior
when it is called to his or her attention.
Consider these comments made to three different nurses by a patient diagnosed with an
antisocial personality disorder: Youre a better nurse than the day shift nurse said you were;
Another nurse said you dont do your job right; You think youre perfect, but Ive seen you make
three mistakes. Collectively, these interactions can be assessed as: - Answers manipulative.
A nurse reports to the interdisciplinary team that a patient diagnosed with an antisocial
personality disorder lies to other patients, verbally abuses a patient diagnosed with dementia,
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: - Answers be resistant to
accepting psychiatric help.
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: - Answers relieving anxiety through the physical symptom.
A patient has blindness related to a functional neurological (conversion) disorder. To help the
patient eat, the nurse should: - Answers expect the patient to feed himself or herself after
explaining the arrangement of the food on the tray
A patient with blindness related to a functional neurological (conversion) disorder says, All the
doctors and nurses in this hospital stop by often to check on me. Too bad people outside the
hospital dont find me interesting. Which nursing diagnosis is most relevant? - Answers Chronic
low self-esteem
To assist a patient diagnosed with a somatic system disorder, a nursing intervention of high
priority is to: - Answers shift the focus from somatic symptoms to feelings.
A patient who fears serious heart disease was referred to the mental health center by a
cardiologist after diagnostic evaluation showed no physical illness. The patient says, My heart
misses beats. Im frequently absent from work. I dont go out much because I need to rest.
Which health problem is most likely? - Answers Illness anxiety disorder (hypochondriasis)
A nurse assessing a patient diagnosed with a somatic system disorder is most likely to note
that the patient: - Answers has unmet needs related to comfort and activity.
To plan effective care for patients diagnosed with somatic system disorders, the nurse should
understand that patients have difficulty giving up the symptoms because the symptoms: -
Answers provide relief from health anxiety.
A patient diagnosed with a somatic symptom disorder has the nursing diagnosis: Interrupted
family processes, related to patients disabling symptoms as evidenced by the spouse and
children assuming roles and tasks that previously belonged to patient. An appropriate outcome
is that the patient will: - Answers demonstrate a resumption of former roles and tasks
A woman wears a size 7 shoe. She says, My feet are huge. Ive asked three orthopedists to
surgically reduce my feet. The patient tries to buy shoes to make her feet look smaller and, in
social settings, conceals both feet under a table or chair. Which health problem is likely? -
Answers Body dysmorphic disorder
Which assessment finding best supports the diagnosis of dissociative amnesia with fugue? The
,patient states: - Answers I cannot recall why Im living in this town
A college student observes a roommate going out wearing uncharacteristically seductive
clothing, returning 12 to 24 hours later, and then sleeping for 8 to 12 hours. At other times, the
roommate sits on the floor speaking like a young child. Which health problem should be
considered? - Answers Dissociative identity disorder
A nurse assesses a patient diagnosed with functional neurological (conversion) disorder. Which
comment is most likely from this patient? - Answers Since my father died, Ive been short of
breath and had sharp pains that go down my left arm, but I think its justindigestion.
A nurse counsels a patient diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder. Which nursing diagnosis
would be a priority for the plan of care? - Answers Risk for suicide
Select the correct etiology to complete this nursing diagnosis for a patient diagnosed with
dissociative identity disorder: Disturbed personal identity, related to: - Answers cognitive
distortions associated with unresolved childhood abuse issues
For a patient diagnosed with dissociative amnesia, complete this outcome: Within 4 weeks, the
patient will demonstrate an ability to execute complex mental processes by: - Answers
describing previously forgotten experiences
15. A person comes to the clinic reporting, I wear a scarf across my lower face when I go out
but because of my ugly appearance. Assessment reveals an average appearance with no actual
disfigurement. Which problem is most likely? - Answers Body dysmorphic disorder
A nurse counseling a patient diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID) should
understand that the assessment of highest priority is: - Answers risk for self-harm
A patient says, I feel detached and weird all the time, like Im looking at life through a cloudy
window. - Answers Depersonalization
A patient reports fears of having cervical cancer and says to the nurse, Ive had Pap smears by
six different doctors. The results are normal, but Im sure thats because of errors in the
laboratory. Which disorder would the nurse suspect? - Answers Illness anxiety disorder
(hypochondriasis)
A patient diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder says, I have pain from an undiagnosed
injury. I cant take care of myself. I need pain medicine six or seven times a day. I feel like a baby
because my family has to help me so much. It is important for the nurse to assess: - Answers
secondary gains
The causes of somatic system disorders may be related to: - Answers faulty perceptions of
body sensations.
What is the primary difference between somatic system disorders and dissociative disorders? -
, Answers Dissociative disorders entail stress-related disruptions of memory, consciousness, or
identity, whereas somatic system disorders involve the expression of psychological stress
through somatic symptoms.
A patient says, I know I have a brain tumor despite the results of the magnetic resonance image
(MRI). The radiologist is wrong. People who have brain tumors vomit, and yesterday I vomited
all day. Which response by the nurse fosters cognitive restructuring? - Answers Lets see
whether any other explanations for your vomiting are possible
Which treatment modality should a nurse recommend to help a patient diagnosed with somatic
symptom disorder cope more effectively? - Answers Relaxation
A patient diagnosed with depersonalization disorder tells the nurse, Its starting again. I feel as
though Im going to float away. The nurse should help the patient by: - Answers helping the
patient focus on the here and now
A patient diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder has been in treatment for 4 weeks. The
patient says, Although Im still having pain, I notice it less and am able to perform more activities.
The nurse should evaluate the treatment plan as: - Answers partially successful
A therapist recently convicted of multiple counts of Medicare fraud says, SureI overbilled. Why
not? Everyone takes advantage of the government, so I did too. These statements show: -
Answers lack of guilt feelings.
Which intervention is appropriate for a patient diagnosed with an antisocial personality disorder
who frequently manipulates others? - Answers Refer the patients requests and questions to the
case manager.
As a nurse prepares to administer a medication to a patient diagnosed with a borderline
personality disorder, the patient says, Just leave it on the table. Ill take it when I finish combing
my hair. What is the nurses best response? - Answers Say to the patient, I must watch you take
the medication. Please take it now.
What is an appropriate initial outcome for a patient diagnosed with a personality disorder who
frequently manipulates others? The patient will: - Answers acknowledge manipulative behavior
when it is called to his or her attention.
Consider these comments made to three different nurses by a patient diagnosed with an
antisocial personality disorder: Youre a better nurse than the day shift nurse said you were;
Another nurse said you dont do your job right; You think youre perfect, but Ive seen you make
three mistakes. Collectively, these interactions can be assessed as: - Answers manipulative.
A nurse reports to the interdisciplinary team that a patient diagnosed with an antisocial
personality disorder lies to other patients, verbally abuses a patient diagnosed with dementia,
