Somatic Symptom Illnesses
Somatic Symptom Illnesses ( 30 Questions)
A client with a somatic symptom illness states, "I always feel weak and fatigued, no matter what I do. I can't even walk properly." Which nursing intervention is appropriate for this client?
Encouraging the client to ignore their physical symptoms would not be an appropriate intervention. Somatic symptom illness involves genuine distress and discomfort, and disregarding the symptoms might lead to increased frustration and anxiety.
Explaining that the symptoms are purely psychological oversimplifies the situation. While psychological factors do play a role in somatic symptom illness, the symptoms are not purely imaginary. Validating the client's experiences while addressing underlying emotional factors is a more comprehensive approach.
Assisting the client to express their emotions and thoughts is a suitable intervention. Somatic symptom illness often arises from unaddressed emotional distress. By encouraging the client to discuss their feelings, the nurse provides a safe space for emotional expression and can help identify contributing factors.
Providing excessive attention and sympathy to the client might inadvertently reinforce their focus on physical symptoms rather than addressing the underlying emotional issues. This approach could potentially contribute to the maintenance of somatic symptom illness.
Choice A rationale:
Encouraging the client to ignore their physical symptoms would not be an appropriate intervention. Somatic symptom illness involves genuine distress and discomfort, and disregarding the symptoms might lead to increased frustration and anxiety.
Choice B rationale:
Explaining that the symptoms are purely psychological oversimplifies the situation. While psychological factors do play a role in somatic symptom illness, the symptoms are not purely imaginary. Validating the client's experiences while addressing underlying emotional factors is a more comprehensive approach.
Choice C rationale:
Assisting the client to express their emotions and thoughts is a suitable intervention. Somatic symptom illness often arises from unaddressed emotional distress. By encouraging the client to discuss their feelings, the nurse provides a safe space for emotional expression and can help identify contributing factors.
Choice D rationale:
Providing excessive attention and sympathy to the client might inadvertently reinforce their focus on physical symptoms rather than addressing the underlying emotional issues. This approach could potentially contribute to the maintenance of somatic symptom illness.