Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

When discussing a somatization disorder, which of the following could be a common complaint?

1. Multiple unrelated physical symptoms

2. A single chronic health issue

3. Extreme fatigue without any explanation

4. Severe anxiety attacks

The correct answer is: Multiple unrelated physical symptoms

In the context of somatization disorder, a common characteristic is the presentation of multiple, often unrelated physical symptoms that lack a clear medical cause. Individuals suffering from this disorder often express a range of physical complaints, such as pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues, which are not solely attributable to any identifiable physiological condition. This symptom pattern can lead to significant distress and impairment in daily functioning, as patients often seek medical attention for these varied complaints without a definitive diagnosis. The other options, while they may reflect real issues, do not align as closely with the hallmark of somatization disorder. A single chronic health issue implies a more straightforward medical diagnosis rather than the complex, multifaceted array of symptoms typical of somatization. Extreme fatigue could be seen in various conditions, but on its own does not capture the broader range of non-specific symptoms that define somatization disorder. Severe anxiety attacks, while they can coexist with somatization, are not a physical symptom and thus do not fit the criteria of somatic complaints that are key to understanding this disorder.