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A client has made multiple visits to the clinic. The nurse suspects that the client may be experiencing complex somatic symptom disorder based on which of the following?
- A. Expressions of concern about psychological problems
- B. Indications that parents were always in good health
- C. Reports of the same symptoms repeatedly
- D. Evidence of a need for social support from her friends
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Repeated reports of the same somatic symptoms (C) are characteristic of CSSD, reflecting persistent preoccupation with physical complaints. Psychological concerns (A) are less specific, parental health (B) is irrelevant, and social support needs (D) are not diagnostic.
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A nursing instructor is describing complex somatic symptom disorder to a group of nursing students. The instructor determines that the teaching was successful when the students state which of the following?
- A. The disorder typically is diagnosed in men.
- B. The first symptom usually appears during adolescence.
- C. The disorder commonly occurs with substance abuse.
- D. Highly educated individuals often develop this disorder.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CSSD symptoms often first appear in adolescence (B), aligning with its chronic nature. It is more common in women (A), not strongly linked to substance abuse (C), and not specific to highly educated individuals (D).
While assessing a client thought to have a factitious disorder, the nurse asks the client to describe when she felt nurtured as a child. Which response would the nurse interpret as supporting the client?s diagnosis?
- A. I never felt nurtured or loved when I was growing up.
- B. The only time I felt loved and appreciated was when I made the honor roll at school.
- C. The only time I ever felt loved was when I was sick enough to miss school.
- D. I felt loved and accepted when my father apologized for spanking me so hard.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Feeling nurtured only when sick (C) supports factitious disorder, as it suggests a pattern of seeking attention through illness. Lack of nurturing (A), academic achievement (B), or parental apologies (D) are less specific to this disorder.
A nurse is providing care for a client who has complex somatic symptom disorder and is exhibiting anxiety about having a severe illness. Which of the following would be appropriate for the nurse to do? Select all that apply.
- A. Listening closely to the client?s report of symptoms
- B. Discouraging the client from talking about fears
- C. Acknowledging that what the client is saying may be real
- D. Encouraging the client to write down symptoms in a journal
- E. Reviewing symptom pattern with the client
Correct Answer: A,C,D,E
Rationale: Appropriate interventions for CSSD with anxiety include listening closely (A), acknowledging the reality of symptoms (C), journaling symptoms (D), and reviewing patterns (E) to validate and manage distress. Discouraging fear discussion (B) is non-therapeutic.
A client with complex somatic symptom disorder also has anxiety. Which of the following would the nurse expect to be prescribed?
- A. Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
- B. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
- C. Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)
- D. Atypical antipsychotic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs (B) are commonly prescribed for CSSD with anxiety due to their efficacy in managing both somatic and anxiety symptoms. MAOIs (A) and TCAs (C) are less preferred due to side effects, and atypical antipsychotics (D) are not first-line.
The husband of a client diagnosed with complex somatic symptom disorder asks the nurse, What causes this condition? Which response by the nurse would be most accurate?
- A. There is definitely an underlying genetic link for this disorder.
- B. Your wife is experiencing chronic stress that causes hypoarousal.
- C. The symptoms reflect an emotion that your wife cannot verbalize.
- D. The symptoms reflect an internal preoccupation with events.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CSSD symptoms often reflect unexpressed emotions (C), as psychological distress manifests physically. Genetic links (A) are not definitive, chronic stress (B) is too vague, and preoccupation with events (D) is less accurate than emotional expression.