Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

When might a nurse suspect a client has a somatoform disorder during a routine exam?

1. If the client reports persistent symptoms regardless of therapy.

2. If the client has no prior medical history.

3. If the client shows high anxiety levels only.

4. If the client uses alternative treatments exclusively.

The correct answer is: If the client reports persistent symptoms regardless of therapy.

A nurse might suspect a client has a somatoform disorder during a routine exam when the client reports persistent physical symptoms that do not improve despite receiving appropriate medical treatment or therapy. Somatoform disorders are characterized by the presence of physical symptoms that cannot be fully explained by a medical condition, and these symptoms often cause significant distress and impairment in daily functioning. The persistence of symptoms, despite therapeutic interventions that typically alleviate such issues, raises the possibility of a somatoform disorder. Other scenarios provided, such as having no prior medical history, displaying only high anxiety levels, or exclusively using alternative treatments, could point to different conditions or behaviors but do not specifically indicate a somatoform disorder. While these factors might contribute to a complex clinical picture or suggest a need for further evaluation, they do not provide the same clear indication of a somatoform disorder as the persistent symptoms do.