Nokea
A client comes to the emergency department because he thinks he is having a heart attack. Further assessment determines that the client is not having a heart attack but is having a panic attack. When beginning to interview the client, which question would be most appropriate for the nurse to use?
- A. Are you feeling much better now that you are lying down?
- B. What did you experience just before and during the attack?
- C. Do you think you will be able to drive home?
- D. What do you think caused you to feel this way?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Asking about the client?s experiences before and during the attack (B) gathers critical information about triggers and symptoms, aiding in confirming the panic attack diagnosis and planning care. Asking about feeling better (A) is premature, driving ability (C) is irrelevant during acute assessment, and causes (D) are less urgent than symptom details.
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A nurse who has worked with a client diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) when he was an inpatient on the psychiatric unit sees the client in the waiting room of the outpatient psychiatric clinic. The client motions to the nurse to come over so he can tell the nurse how things have been going since he was discharged. While talking with the client, the nurse determines that the client?s therapy has been effective when the client states which of the following?
- A. I am still experiencing quite a bit of stress at home and at work; things are different at home than they were in the hospital.
- B. When my mother-in-law comes over now, I go out to my workshop and work on one of my projects.
- C. I?m still drinking coffee; I can?t quit after drinking it all these years.
- D. I?ve learned having a beer after I get home from work helps me relax.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Going to the workshop (B) indicates effective coping by using a constructive activity to manage stress from a trigger (mother-in-law?s visits). Persistent stress (A) suggests ineffective therapy, coffee (C) can worsen anxiety, and alcohol use (D) is an unhealthy coping mechanism.
A client with panic disorder who has been prescribed sertraline in conjunction with alprazolam comes to the clinic for a follow-up. The client states, I stopped taking the alprazolam about 2 days ago. I was feeling really sleepy and tired. Which of the following would alert the nurse to suspect possible withdrawal? Select all that apply.
- A. Metallic taste
- B. Irritability
- C. Dry, flushed skin
- D. Tremor
- E. Muscle flaccidity
Correct Answer: B,D
Rationale: Abrupt cessation of alprazolam, a benzodiazepine, can cause withdrawal symptoms like irritability (B) and tremor (D) due to central nervous system rebound. Metallic taste (A), dry skin (C), and muscle flaccidity (E) are not typical withdrawal symptoms.
A nurse is preparing an in-service presentation about panic disorders and associated theories related to the cause. When describing the cognitive-behavioral concepts associated with panic disorders, which of the following would the nurse expect to address?
- A. Personal losses
- B. Conditioned response
- C. Early separation
- D. Dysfunctional family communication
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cognitive-behavioral theory links panic disorder to a conditioned response (B), where physical sensations are misinterpreted as catastrophic, triggering panic. Personal losses (A), early separation (C), and dysfunctional communication (D) are more relevant to psychoanalytic theories.
A nurse is developing a teaching plan for a client with generalized anxiety disorder, focusing on nutrition. Which of the following would the nurse encourage the client to avoid? Select all that apply.
- A. Coffee
- B. Ginseng
- C. Milk products
- D. Citrus juices
- E. Aged cheese
Correct Answer: A,B
Rationale: Coffee (A) and ginseng (B) are stimulants that can exacerbate anxiety symptoms in GAD. Milk products (C), citrus juices (D), and aged cheese (E) are not typically contraindicated unless specific sensitivities exist.
A client with a panic disorder has been prescribed a benzodiazepine medication. Which of the following would the nurse emphasize as a risk associated with using this medication?
- A. Dietary restrictions
- B. Withdrawal symptoms
- C. Agitation
- D. Fecal impaction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Benzodiazepines (B) carry a significant risk of withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety and seizures, if stopped abruptly, necessitating careful tapering. Dietary restrictions (A) apply to MAOIs, agitation (C) is a symptom not a risk, and fecal impaction (D) is unrelated.