Which problem is characterized by physical symptoms with no known organic cause?

Which problem is characterized by physical symptoms with no known organic cause?

• A. Anxiety and flashbacks to a traumatic event
• B. Inability to cope effectively in the workplace
• C. Physical symptoms with no known organic cause
• D. Exposing self to other stable environments

Answer: (C)

The question is testing the idea of somatic symptom phenomena—physical complaints that arise from psychological distress rather than an identifiable medical illness. When someone experiences real, distressing physical symptoms but medical tests find no organic cause, this pattern points to a somatic symptom disorder. The key is that the symptoms are real to the person and cause significant impairment, even though there isn’t a detectable physical disease driving them. In this scenario, the description “physical symptoms with no known organic cause” fits that pattern best. It isn’t about reexperiencing trauma or flashbacks, which would suggest a trauma-focused condition; it isn’t simply a coping deficit at work, nor an unrelated environmental change. The emphasis is on symptoms that are bodily in nature but lack a medical explanation, indicating a need to address underlying psychological stress and how the person manages it. Nursing care would involve validating the patient’s experience, exploring psychosocial stressors contributing to symptoms, and coordinating care with mental health professionals. The goal is to provide consistent, supportive care while avoiding unnecessary repeated medical testing, and to teach coping and stress-management strategies that can reduce symptom severity.

The question is testing the idea of somatic symptom phenomena—physical complaints that arise from psychological distress rather than an identifiable medical illness. When someone experiences real, distressing physical symptoms but medical tests find no organic cause, this pattern points to a somatic symptom disorder. The key is that the symptoms are real to the person and cause significant impairment, even though there isn’t a detectable physical disease driving them.

In this scenario, the description “physical symptoms with no known organic cause” fits that pattern best. It isn’t about reexperiencing trauma or flashbacks, which would suggest a trauma-focused condition; it isn’t simply a coping deficit at work, nor an unrelated environmental change. The emphasis is on symptoms that are bodily in nature but lack a medical explanation, indicating a need to address underlying psychological stress and how the person manages it.

Nursing care would involve validating the patient’s experience, exploring psychosocial stressors contributing to symptoms, and coordinating care with mental health professionals. The goal is to provide consistent, supportive care while avoiding unnecessary repeated medical testing, and to teach coping and stress-management strategies that can reduce symptom severity.