Which intervention should a nurse prioritize for a client with a somatic disorder?

Prioritizing reinforcement of the client's problem-solving abilities is crucial when managing a client with a somatic disorder. This approach empowers the client to take control of their situation and encourages adaptive coping mechanisms. Clients with somatic disorders often focus excessively on their physical symptoms, which can lead to increased anxiety and distress; therefore, redirecting their attention to their capabilities and problems they can manage fosters a more constructive mindset.

By reinforcing their problem-solving abilities, the nurse helps create a therapeutic alliance that supports the client in developing skills to cope with their condition and reduces the need for excessive focus on physical complaints. This strategy aligns well with cognitive-behavioral principles, which aim to modify unhelpful thinking patterns and promote healthier behaviors.

Other options may not effectively contribute to the client's overall well-being and therapeutic outcomes. For instance, focusing on the client's physical complaints may inadvertently validate their fixation on those symptoms. Voicing doubt about the reality of the client’s symptoms can be dismissive and may damage the therapeutic relationship, while assessing "secondary gains" could be valuable but does not directly empower the client or address their immediate needs as effectively as reinforcing problem-solving skills.