Question 1

Growing up,Bernardo would sometimes get headaches.Whenever he got a headache,his mother let him stay home from school.Now,as an adult,his headaches have become more frequent.His head pounds any time he is required to do something he would rather not do.What kind of theoretical explanation for conversion symptoms is this?

Accepted Answer

The cognitive-behavioral explanation suggests that behaviors can be learned through reinforcement. Bernardo learned that headaches allowed him to avoid undesirable tasks, reinforcing the symptom as a way to escape responsibilities.

Question 2

Increasingly concerned about my minor heartbeat irregularities,I think that my health is being threatened; more and more often I misinterpret my body's normal signals.Which viewpoint BEST explains my experiences?

Accepted Answer

The cognitive-behavioral viewpoint explains how thoughts and perceptions can influence feelings and behaviors, leading to misinterpretation of normal bodily signals as threatening.

Question 3

Compared with a therapist with a psychodynamic view,what would a therapist with a cognitive-behavioral view be most likely to ask someone whom he or she suspected might have a somatic symptom disorder?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compared with a therapist with a psychodynamic...

Question 4

Which system is the body's network of activities and cells that identify and destroy antigens and cancer cells?

Accepted Answer

The immune system is responsible for identifying and destroying antigens and cancer cells in the body.

Question 5

When a person is under stress,the HPA pathway releases:

Accepted Answer

The HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis releases cortisol, a hormone that helps the body respond to stress.

Question 6

_____ has been of some help in the treatment of heartbeat irregularities,asthma,high blood pressure,stuttering,and pain.

Accepted Answer

Biofeedback training has been found to be helpful in the treatment of heartbeat irregularities, asthma, high blood pressure, stuttering, and pain. Biofeedback is a technique in which people learn to control bodily processes that are normally involuntary, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension, by using feedback from electronic instruments. This technique can help people learn to control their bodily functions and reduce symptoms of various conditions. The other choices may have some benefits, but they are not specifically linked to the conditions mentioned in the question.

Question 7

A patient with a heart condition complains of adhesions from his postoperative scar,leg cramps,and joint stiffness.He seems to be hurting all over,but no medical reason can be found to explain the symptoms.The BEST diagnosis for this disorder is:

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient with a heart condition complains...

Question 8

The traditional psychophysiological disorder most commonly associated with intense feelings of anger and the presence of bacteria is:

Accepted Answer

An ulcer is a traditional psychophysiological disorder that can be exacerbated by stress and intense feelings of anger, and it is also associated with the presence of bacteria, specifically Helicobacter pylori.

Question 9

About what percentage of Americans experience a somatization pattern of somatic symptom disorder in a given year?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 4 percent of Americans experience a somatization pattern of somatic symptom disorder in a given year. This reflects the prevalence rate of this specific pattern of disorder within the general population.

Question 10

_____ is a technique of turning one's concentration inward,achieving a slightly changed state of consciousness,and temporarily ignoring all stressors.

Accepted Answer

The technique described in the statement is meditation. Meditation involves turning one's concentration inward, achieving a state of relaxation, and temporarily disregarding all stressors. Other options such as behavioral medicine, relaxation training, and biofeedback training may help manage stress but do not necessarily involve turning one's concentration inward and achieving a changed state of consciousness.

Question 11

Gabe appeared at the clinic complaining of pain in his knee,shoulder,and abdomen; nausea and vomiting; blurred vision; and exhaustion.The patient history revealed that he had been going to clinics for years trying to get treatment for these complaints as well as for a host of other physical symptoms.The diagnostic consensus was that Gabe suffered from:

Accepted Answer

Gabe's symptoms and history of seeking treatment for various physical complaints align with somatic symptom disorder, where individuals experience multiple, often unexplained physical symptoms and excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to these symptoms.

Question 12

What did Freud believe about "hysterical" symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Freud believed that hysterical symptoms served as a defense mechanism, allowing individuals to avoid confronting distressing thoughts or engaging in unpleasant activities.

Question 13

What is the leading global cause of death,resulting in 17 million deaths worldwide each year?

Accepted Answer

Coronary heart disease is the leading global cause of death, responsible for approximately 17 million deaths annually worldwide.

Question 14

Dani has been diagnosed with breast cancer.She has a very supportive husband,caring children,and several friends who will provide support for her during her recovery.Lori also has been diagnosed with breast cancer,but she does not have a family or any close friends.Because of the differences in _____,Dani is more likely to have a successful recovery.

Accepted Answer

Social support, which refers to the assistance and emotional support received from family, friends, and others, can play a crucial role in recovery from breast cancer. Dani, who has a supportive husband, caring children, and friends, would have access to more social support during her recovery than Lori, who lacks these resources. Therefore, Dani is more likely to have a successful recovery than Lori.

Question 15

An individual develops somatic symptom disorder after a near-fatal car crash.The diagnosis is:

Accepted Answer

Somatic Symptom Disorder with predominant pain pattern is more likely following a traumatic event like a near-fatal car crash, as the individual may experience persistent pain that is exacerbated by psychological factors. The somatization pattern typically involves multiple, current, somatic symptoms that are distressing or result in significant disruption of daily life, not necessarily related to a traumatic event.

Question 16

If stress continues for an extended period of time,_____ give an inhibitory message to lymphocytes.

Accepted Answer

Norepinephrine and corticosteroids give inhibitory messages to lymphocytes when stress continues for an extended period of time. Collagen and cytokines do not have a direct inhibitory effect on lymphocytes, and while cytokines and corticosteroids can both contribute to stress responses, they do not exclusively give inhibitory messages to lymphocytes.

Question 17

People with somatic symptom disorders use their symptoms to express emotions they cannot easily express otherwise.This statement reflects the:

Accepted Answer

The answer of People with somatic symptom disorders use their...

Question 18

The BEST example of malingering is a person who:

Accepted Answer

Malingering is defined as the intentional feigning of physical or psychological symptoms for some external gain, such as financial compensation or avoiding military service. Choice D best fits this definition as the person is feigning illness for external gain. The other choices may involve deception or dishonesty, but they do not necessarily involve an external gain.

Question 19

Research has found that if a person's life change units (LCUs)total more than _____ over the course of a year,that individual is particularly likely to develop serious health problems.

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that accumulating more than 300 LCUs in a year significantly increases the risk of developing serious health problems, according to the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale.

Question 20

When Marigold sees her healthcare provider for treatment of an allergy,her healthcare provider tells her that her symptoms are factitious.Marigold will most likely:

Accepted Answer

The answer of When Marigold sees her healthcare provider for...

Quiz 8: Disorders Featuring Somatic Symptoms