A nurse is caring for a client who repeatedly reports episodes of paralysis of the arms. The client has received a medical work up and there is no identifiable cause. The nurse understands that the client will likely be diagnosed with which of the following disorders?

A. Factitious disorder involves intentional production or feigning of symptoms for the purpose of assuming the sick role. In this case, there is no evidence that the client is deliberately producing symptoms; the paralysis is reported but not consciously faked. B. Functional neurological symptom disorder (also called conversion disorder) is characterized by neurological symptoms—such as paralysis, tremors, or seizures—that cannot be explained by medical evaluation. These symptoms are real to the client and are not intentionally produced. The disorder often emerges in response to psychological stress or trauma, and clients are not consciously aware of causing their symptoms. C. Illness anxiety disorder involves excessive worry about having or acquiring a serious illness, usually without significant somatic symptoms. Clients focus on the possibility of illness rather than experiencing neurological deficits like paralysis. D. Somatic symptom disorder involves distressing somatic symptoms that may or may not have a medical explanation, but it usually includes excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to the symptoms. In this scenario, the primary issue is neurological dysfunction without evidence of psychological exaggeration or excessive health-related anxiety, making conversion disorder more specific.