Nokea
A client asks how his prescribed alprazolam (Xanax) helps his anxiety disorder. The nurse explains that antianxiety medications such as alprazolam affect the function of which neurotransmitter that is believed to be dysfunctional in anxiety disorders?
- A. Serotonin
- B. Norepinephrine
- C. GABA
- D. Dopamine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Alprazolam enhances GABA, a neurotransmitter that reduces anxiety by calming neural activity.
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The nurse knows that which one of the following statements is true about stress and anxiety?
- A. All people handle stress in the same way.
- B. Stress is a person's reaction to anxiety.
- C. Anxiety occurs when a person has trouble dealing with life situations, problems, and goals.
- D. Stress is the wear and tear that life causes on the body.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Stress is defined as the wear and tear on the body caused by life's demands, while anxiety is a response to stress involving feelings of dread.
An anxiolytic agent, lorazepam (Ativan), has been prescribed for the client. Which of the following statements by the client would indicate to the nurse that client education about this medication has been effective?
- A. My anxiety will be eliminated if I take this medication as prescribed.
- B. This medication presents no risk of addiction or dependence.
- C. I will probably always need to take this medication for my anxiety.
- D. This medication will relax me, so I can focus on problem solving.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Lorazepam relieves anxiety symptoms to aid problem-solving, but does not eliminate anxiety or lack risk of dependence.
The nurse plans to teach a client about dietary modifications to manage diabetes. Teaching would be most effective if the client displayed which one of the following characteristics?
- A. Focusing only on immediate task
- B. Faster rate of speech
- C. Narrowed perceptual field
- D. Heightened focus
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Mild anxiety enhances focus and learning ability, making it the optimal state for effective teaching.
Which of the following statements about the assessment of persons with anxiety and anxiety disorders is most accurate?
- A. When an elder person has an onset of anxiety for the first time in his or her life, it is possible that the anxiety is associated with another condition.
- B. Panic attacks are the most common late-life anxiety disorders.
- C. An elder person with anxiety may be experiencing ruminative thoughts.
- D. Agoraphobia that occurs in late life may be related to trauma experienced or anticipated.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Late-onset anxiety in elders is often linked to conditions like depression or physical illness, not primarily panic attacks or ruminative thoughts.
Which of the following best explains the etiology of anxiety disorders from an interpersonal perspective?
- A. Anxiety is learned in childhood through interactions with caregivers.
- B. Anxiety is learned throughout life as a response to life experiences.
- C. Anxiety stems from an unconscious attempt to control awareness.
- D. Anxiety results from conforming to the norms of a cultural group.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Interpersonal theory suggests anxiety is learned in childhood through inadequate nurturing or distorted caregiver interactions.