A 54-Year-Old Man Comes to the Office Due to Concerns

question 11

Multiple Choice

A 54-year-old man comes to the office due to concerns about having pancreatic cancer after a coworker died of the disease 6 months ago.  The patient has no epigastric pain, jaundice, or weight loss.  However, he worries constantly because in researching the illness he read that it may not have obvious symptoms in early stages and can be rapidly fatal.  The patient saw another physician 2 months ago, who performed a physical examination, laboratory evaluation, and abdominal CT scan.  The results were normal and the physician reassured the patient that he did not have cancer.  However, the patient reports that he has noticed occasional stomach noises after eating and would like to have additional testing done.  Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

• A)Adjustment disorder with anxiety
• B)Conversion disorder
• C)Delusional disorder (somatic subtype)
• D)Factitious disorder
• E)Generalized anxiety disorder
• F)Illness anxiety disorder
• G)Somatic symptom disorder

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Definitions:

Negative Reinforcers

An aversive stimulus whose removal or avoidance following a behavior increases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated.

Aversive Stimulus

A negative or unpleasant stimulus that causes a decrease in the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Pleasant Stimulus

An environmental or sensory input that elicits positive feelings or a gratifying response.

Unconditioned Reflexes

Natural, automatic responses to stimuli that occur without any prior learning or conditioning.