A nurse is working with a client who is displaying disproportionate fear of having cancer. The nurse notes the client is seeking out medical care more frequently, has high anxiety, and believes they have cancer, despite no medical evidence to support this. Which of the following disorders is the client likely experiencing?

A. Somatic symptom disorder. This disorder involves excessive concern over physical symptoms that are actually present, even if they are mild. In contrast, illness anxiety disorder is characterized by intense fear of having a serious illness despite the absence of significant physical symptoms. B. Factitious disorder. Factitious disorder involves deliberately fabricating or inducing symptoms to assume the sick role. In illness anxiety disorder, the client genuinely believes they are ill but does not intentionally create symptoms. C. Functional neurological symptom disorder. This condition, previously called conversion disorder, involves neurological symptoms (e.g., paralysis, blindness) that cannot be explained by medical findings. Unlike illness anxiety disorder, these symptoms are involuntary and not focused on a fear of disease. D. Illness anxiety disorder. This disorder, formerly known as hypochondriasis, involves excessive worry about having a severe illness despite little or no medical evidence. The client’s persistent health-related anxiety and frequent medical visits align with this diagnosis.