Final answer:
Distinguishing conversion disorder from illness anxiety disorder involves analyzing the patient's presentation style, results of diagnostic tests, and the role of secondary gains. Presentation style can reveal psychological aspects, while diagnostic testing can rule out physical causes, and secondary gains might indicate potential psychological incentives for symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
To distinguish symptoms of conversion disorder from those of illness anxiety disorder, the health care team would likely consider the patient's (Pts.) style of presentation (Option B), as it provides insights into the psychological nature of the symptoms. In conversion disorder, symptoms often involve sensory or motor areas without a medical explanation and may present suddenly after a stressful event. The patient's presentation might be dramatic or atypical for known medical conditions. In illness anxiety disorder, patients are preoccupied with having a serious illness despite minimal or no medical evidence, and their symptoms are not under voluntary control, differentiating this from conversion disorder where symptoms can seem to be unconsciously induced.
Results of diagnostic testing (Option C) can also be useful to rule out physical causes and to assess the discrepancy between reported symptoms and objective findings. Lastly, understanding the role of secondary gains (Option D), such as attention or sympathy that could unconsciously incentivize the presentation of symptoms, may aid in diagnosis, as it is often associated with conversion disorder but not typically with illness anxiety disorder.