2/21/25, 10:40 AM Rasmussen Mental Health Exam 3 Questions and Answers | Nurs 2488 | Professor Verified Answers Flashcards | Quizlet
Rasmussen Mental Health Exam 3 Questions and
Answers | Nurs 2488 | Professor Verified Answers
Save
Terms in this set (85)
An umbrella group of disorders characterized by the
presence of one or more physical symptoms
accompanied by abnormal thoughts, feelings, and
behavioral reactions in response to these symptoms,
with NO PHYSICAL FINDINGS OR MEDICAL
ILLNESSES TO EXPLAIN THEM. These symptoms are
NOT INTENTIONAL or under the conscious control of
the patient.
Somatoform Disorders
They may DEMAND UNNECESSARY TESTS, and may
be NON-COMPLIANT with provider
recommendations. Individuals with this disorder
experience significant life impairment as a result of
their symptoms, preoccupation, and high anxiety.
Often undergo unnecessary surgeries, invasive
diagnostic procedures, and drug trials, all of which
can be life-threatening.
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,2/21/25, 10:40 AM Rasmussen Mental Health Exam 3 Questions and Answers | Nurs 2488 | Professor Verified Answers Flashcards | Quizlet
1. Offer explanations and support during diagnostic
testing.
2. After physical complaints have been investigated,
avoid further reinforcement of the somatic complaints.
3. Spend time with the patient at times other than
when he/she is expressing a physical complaint (e.g.,
when talking about a pet or TV program and give the
"reward" of extra attention during those times).
4. Observe and record frequency and intensity of
somatic symptoms.
5. DO NOT imply that symptoms are not real.
6. Shift focus from somatic complaints to feelings or to
neutral topics.
7. ******Assess secondary gains that physical illness
Somatoform Disorders -
provides for patient, such as attention, lack of work
Nursing interventions
responsibility, or guilt of a spouse causing them to
stay rather than leave the patient.
8. Use straightforward approach to patient exhibiting
resistance or covert anger.
9. Have patient direct all requests to a designated
nurse or clinician.
10. Show concern for patient, but avoid fostering
dependency needs.
11. Reinforce patient's strengths and problem-solving
abilities.
12. Teach assertive communication skills and
https://quizlet.com/1008820728/rasmussen-mental-health-exam-3-questions-and-answers-nurs-2488-professor-verified-answers-flash-cards/?new 2/53
,2/21/25, 10:40 AM Rasmussen Mental Health Exam 3 Questions and Answers | Nurs 2488 | Professor Verified Answers Flashcards | Quizlet
techniques.
13. Teach patient stress reduction techniques, such as
meditation, relaxation, and mild physical exercise.
When patients complain of physical symptoms, TAKE
THE SYMPTOMS SERIOUSLY. Even if a medical
explanation is not found understandable, the
symptoms are real and distressing to the patient.
Important thing to
Working with people who have somatic symptom
remember regarding the
disorders can be frustrating, and you and other staff
assessment of a patient
may find yourself avoiding interaction with them.
with somatoform disorder
However, when people feel they are receiving care
and attention, the intensity of symptoms tends to
diminish. As the symptoms are alleviated and
**RAPPORT IS ESTABLISHED, it becomes easier to
address emotional issues.
Benefits that a person might be receiving from the
symptoms they are having.
Example: the patient is not able to perform the usual
family, work, and social functions, and receives extra
Secondary Gains
attention from loved ones.
If a patient derives personal benefit from the
symptoms, relinquishing the symptoms is more
difficult.
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, 2/21/25, 10:40 AM Rasmussen Mental Health Exam 3 Questions and Answers | Nurs 2488 | Professor Verified Answers Flashcards | Quizlet
Preoccupied with having or eventually developing a
serious illness. Patients with this disorder may or may
not present with somatic symptoms, and if they do,
the symptoms are usually mild.
What they do exhibit is a high level of anxiety and
alarm about their health lasting at least 6 months, and
may either excessively check for problems or avoid
Hypochondriasis (Illness
medical care. It is important to consider other
Anxiety Disorder)
possible diagnoses such as anxiety disorders.
They are more alarmed by the potential implications
of any disorder than with the disorder itself, and are
alarmed with any new bodily sensations. Patients can
misinterpret normal physical sensations such as
sweating, abdominal cramping, or awareness of
heartbeat as indicative of disease.
Disorder that presents with one or more symptoms of
impaired motor or sensory function. The deficit causes
significant distress to the patient and impaired social
or occupational functioning.
Conversion Disorder
Symptoms include weakness or paralysis, abnormal
movement, swallowing or speech difficulties, seizures
or attacks, sensory loss or anesthesia, or symptoms
involving the senses (blindness or loss of smell).
Use a straight forward approach
Be supportive, yet ASSERTIVE with them
Nursing Interventions for
Conversion Disorder
Pt independence is IMPORTANT, they need to be
able to take care of THEMSELVES. Don't do
everything for them!
https://quizlet.com/1008820728/rasmussen-mental-health-exam-3-questions-and-answers-nurs-2488-professor-verified-answers-flash-cards/?new 4/53
Rasmussen Mental Health Exam 3 Questions and
Answers | Nurs 2488 | Professor Verified Answers
Save
Terms in this set (85)
An umbrella group of disorders characterized by the
presence of one or more physical symptoms
accompanied by abnormal thoughts, feelings, and
behavioral reactions in response to these symptoms,
with NO PHYSICAL FINDINGS OR MEDICAL
ILLNESSES TO EXPLAIN THEM. These symptoms are
NOT INTENTIONAL or under the conscious control of
the patient.
Somatoform Disorders
They may DEMAND UNNECESSARY TESTS, and may
be NON-COMPLIANT with provider
recommendations. Individuals with this disorder
experience significant life impairment as a result of
their symptoms, preoccupation, and high anxiety.
Often undergo unnecessary surgeries, invasive
diagnostic procedures, and drug trials, all of which
can be life-threatening.
https://quizlet.com/1008820728/rasmussen-mental-health-exam-3-questions-and-answers-nurs-2488-professor-verified-answers-flash-cards/?new 1/53
,2/21/25, 10:40 AM Rasmussen Mental Health Exam 3 Questions and Answers | Nurs 2488 | Professor Verified Answers Flashcards | Quizlet
1. Offer explanations and support during diagnostic
testing.
2. After physical complaints have been investigated,
avoid further reinforcement of the somatic complaints.
3. Spend time with the patient at times other than
when he/she is expressing a physical complaint (e.g.,
when talking about a pet or TV program and give the
"reward" of extra attention during those times).
4. Observe and record frequency and intensity of
somatic symptoms.
5. DO NOT imply that symptoms are not real.
6. Shift focus from somatic complaints to feelings or to
neutral topics.
7. ******Assess secondary gains that physical illness
Somatoform Disorders -
provides for patient, such as attention, lack of work
Nursing interventions
responsibility, or guilt of a spouse causing them to
stay rather than leave the patient.
8. Use straightforward approach to patient exhibiting
resistance or covert anger.
9. Have patient direct all requests to a designated
nurse or clinician.
10. Show concern for patient, but avoid fostering
dependency needs.
11. Reinforce patient's strengths and problem-solving
abilities.
12. Teach assertive communication skills and
https://quizlet.com/1008820728/rasmussen-mental-health-exam-3-questions-and-answers-nurs-2488-professor-verified-answers-flash-cards/?new 2/53
,2/21/25, 10:40 AM Rasmussen Mental Health Exam 3 Questions and Answers | Nurs 2488 | Professor Verified Answers Flashcards | Quizlet
techniques.
13. Teach patient stress reduction techniques, such as
meditation, relaxation, and mild physical exercise.
When patients complain of physical symptoms, TAKE
THE SYMPTOMS SERIOUSLY. Even if a medical
explanation is not found understandable, the
symptoms are real and distressing to the patient.
Important thing to
Working with people who have somatic symptom
remember regarding the
disorders can be frustrating, and you and other staff
assessment of a patient
may find yourself avoiding interaction with them.
with somatoform disorder
However, when people feel they are receiving care
and attention, the intensity of symptoms tends to
diminish. As the symptoms are alleviated and
**RAPPORT IS ESTABLISHED, it becomes easier to
address emotional issues.
Benefits that a person might be receiving from the
symptoms they are having.
Example: the patient is not able to perform the usual
family, work, and social functions, and receives extra
Secondary Gains
attention from loved ones.
If a patient derives personal benefit from the
symptoms, relinquishing the symptoms is more
difficult.
https://quizlet.com/1008820728/rasmussen-mental-health-exam-3-questions-and-answers-nurs-2488-professor-verified-answers-flash-cards/?new 3/53
, 2/21/25, 10:40 AM Rasmussen Mental Health Exam 3 Questions and Answers | Nurs 2488 | Professor Verified Answers Flashcards | Quizlet
Preoccupied with having or eventually developing a
serious illness. Patients with this disorder may or may
not present with somatic symptoms, and if they do,
the symptoms are usually mild.
What they do exhibit is a high level of anxiety and
alarm about their health lasting at least 6 months, and
may either excessively check for problems or avoid
Hypochondriasis (Illness
medical care. It is important to consider other
Anxiety Disorder)
possible diagnoses such as anxiety disorders.
They are more alarmed by the potential implications
of any disorder than with the disorder itself, and are
alarmed with any new bodily sensations. Patients can
misinterpret normal physical sensations such as
sweating, abdominal cramping, or awareness of
heartbeat as indicative of disease.
Disorder that presents with one or more symptoms of
impaired motor or sensory function. The deficit causes
significant distress to the patient and impaired social
or occupational functioning.
Conversion Disorder
Symptoms include weakness or paralysis, abnormal
movement, swallowing or speech difficulties, seizures
or attacks, sensory loss or anesthesia, or symptoms
involving the senses (blindness or loss of smell).
Use a straight forward approach
Be supportive, yet ASSERTIVE with them
Nursing Interventions for
Conversion Disorder
Pt independence is IMPORTANT, they need to be
able to take care of THEMSELVES. Don't do
everything for them!
https://quizlet.com/1008820728/rasmussen-mental-health-exam-3-questions-and-answers-nurs-2488-professor-verified-answers-flash-cards/?new 4/53
