Somatic Symptom Illnesses
Somatic Symptom Illnesses ( 30 Questions)
A nurse is educating a group of students about somatic symptom illnesses. Which disorder is characterized by intentional production or falsification of symptoms to gain attention or care?
"Conversion disorder.". Choice A is not the correct answer. Conversion disorder involves the development of physical symptoms, such as motor or sensory deficits, that suggest a neurological or medical condition but are actually caused by psychological factors. It does not involve intentional production or falsification of symptoms for attention.
"Illness anxiety disorder.". Choice B is not the correct answer. Illness anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive worry and fear of having a serious illness, even in the absence of medical evidence. It does not involve intentional fabrication of symptoms for attention.
"Factitious disorder.". Choice C is the correct answer. Factitious disorder is characterized by intentionally producing or falsifying physical or psychological symptoms to assume the role of a sick person. The primary motivation is to receive attention, care, and sympathy from medical professionals or others. This behavior is driven by psychological factors rather than genuine medical need.
"Somatic symptom disorder.". Choice D is not the correct answer. Somatic symptom disorder involves experiencing distressing physical symptoms that interfere with daily life. While the symptoms are real and genuinely felt, the central issue in somatic symptom disorder is the excessive response to these symptoms and the preoccupation with health concerns. It is not primarily about intentionally falsifying symptoms for attention.
Choice A rationale:
"Conversion disorder.". Choice A is not the correct answer. Conversion disorder involves the development of physical symptoms, such as motor or sensory deficits, that suggest a neurological or medical condition but are actually caused by psychological factors. It does not involve intentional production or falsification of symptoms for attention.
Choice B rationale:
"Illness anxiety disorder.". Choice B is not the correct answer. Illness anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive worry and fear of having a serious illness, even in the absence of medical evidence. It does not involve intentional fabrication of symptoms for attention.
Choice C rationale:
"Factitious disorder.". Choice C is the correct answer. Factitious disorder is characterized by intentionally producing or falsifying physical or psychological symptoms to assume the role of a sick person. The primary motivation is to receive attention, care, and sympathy from medical professionals or others. This behavior is driven by psychological factors rather than genuine medical need.
Choice D rationale:
"Somatic symptom disorder.". Choice D is not the correct answer. Somatic symptom disorder involves experiencing distressing physical symptoms that interfere with daily life. While the symptoms are real and genuinely felt, the central issue in somatic symptom disorder is the excessive response to these symptoms and the preoccupation with health concerns. It is not primarily about intentionally falsifying symptoms for attention.