A nurse is working with an older adult client who has been diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder. Which of the following should the nurse consider when working with an older adult who has somatic symptom disorder?

Choice A rationale Somatic symptom disorder is not typically diagnosed in early childhood. While some somatic complaints can appear in childhood, the full diagnostic criteria for somatic symptom disorder, including the associated distress and impairment, usually emerge later in adolescence or early adulthood. Its manifestation in young children often presents differently, primarily as unexplained physical symptoms. Choice B rationale Somatic symptom disorder does not typically have an onset in older adulthood. The average age of onset for somatic symptom disorder is generally in adolescence or early adulthood. While symptoms can persist or fluctuate throughout the lifespan, new onset in older adulthood is less common and warrants thorough medical investigation to rule out organic causes. Choice C rationale There is no diagnostic criterion stating that somatic symptom disorder must be diagnosed before 18 years of age. While it often begins in adolescence, diagnosis can occur at any age when the criteria are met. This disorder's diagnostic timeline is based on the presentation of symptoms and associated distress, not a specific age cut-off for initial diagnosis. Choice D rationale Somatic symptom disorder is often underdiagnosed in the older population. This is due to several factors, including the presence of multiple comorbid medical conditions that can obscure the diagnosis, reluctance by healthcare providers to attribute symptoms to psychological factors in older adults, and older adults' tendency to focus on physical complaints rather than psychological distress.