Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What is a key difference between undifferentiated somatoform disorders and somatization disorders?

1. Undifferentiated somatoform disorders complain of multiple symptoms

2. Somatization disorders complain of only one physical problem

3. Undifferentiated somatoform disorders do not have emotional symptoms

4. Somatization disorders are always medically confirmed

The correct answer is: Somatization disorders complain of only one physical problem

The distinction between undifferentiated somatoform disorders and somatization disorders hinges on the number and nature of the physical complaints presented. Somatization disorders are characterized by an individual presenting multiple significant physical symptoms, often without a clear medical explanation. This typically includes a combination of distressing symptoms affecting different bodily systems. In contrast, undifferentiated somatoform disorders involve a more generalized presentation where the patient may experience and express various physical symptoms but may not encompass the breadth of multiple, distinct symptoms associated with somatization disorders. The selected answer accurately reflects that while somatization disorders typically present with multiple complaints, categorizing undifferentiated somatoform disorders as involving a single predominant issue is misleading, as they can also encompass multiple symptoms without defining characteristics. Thus, the correct understanding affirms that somatization disorders often involve numerous complaints, illustrating the complexity of the patient's experiences that do not neatly align into the framework of a singular condition.