Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice 6th Edition - Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders Related

Review Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice 6th Edition - Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders related questions and content

A client is admitted to the mental health unit because she was found trying to inject diluted feces into her hospitalized child?s intravenous line. The client has a history of similar attempts of harming the child. The nurse would most likely suspect which of the following?

  • A. Schizoid personality traits
  • B. Munchausen?s syndrome by proxy
  • C. Functional neurologic symptoms
  • D. Borderline personality disorder
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Munchausen?s syndrome by proxy (B) involves fabricating or inducing illness in another, typically a child, for attention, matching the client?s behavior. Schizoid traits (A), functional symptoms (C), and borderline personality (D) do not involve harming others for attention.