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:

Fertile Males

Refers to males who have the ability to reproduce, characterized by the production of viable sperm.

Physical Attractiveness

The degree to which a person's physical features are considered aesthetically pleasing or beautiful.

Sociobiologists

Scientists who study the biological basis of all forms of social behavior, including in humans, in the context of evolution and natural selection.

Sociobiologists

Scientists who study the biological basis of social behavior across species, including humans.