Question

A nurse is assessing a client who has illness anxiety disorder. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A. Obsessive thoughts about disease
B. History of childhood abuse
C. Avoidance of healthcare providers
D. Depressive disorder

Answer 1

A nurse assessing a client with illness anxiety disorder should expect obsessive thoughts about disease, a history of childhood abuse, avoidance of healthcare providers, and possible comorbidity with depressive disorder.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse assessing a client with illness anxiety disorder should expect the following findings:

A. Obsessive thoughts about disease: Individuals with illness anxiety disorder often have excessive worrying and preoccupation with being seriously ill, even when there is little or no medical evidence to support it.
B. History of childhood abuse: While a history of childhood abuse is not specific to illness anxiety disorder, it may be a contributing factor to the development of anxiety disorders in general.
C. Avoidance of healthcare providers: People with illness anxiety disorder may avoid medical appointments or seeking medical help due to fear of receiving a negative diagnosis or confirming their anxieties.
D. Depressive disorder: While not a specific symptom of illness anxiety disorder, comorbidity with depressive disorders is common.