Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Sherpath)

A patient is undergoing cognitive therapy to help control symptoms of anxiety. Which statement made by the patient indicates an understanding of cognitive behavioral therapy?

"I no longer believe that my mistakes will result in catastrophic outcomes." Rationale Cognitive behavioral therapy shows patients alternative ways of thinking to decrease anxiety.

Which DSM-V criteria are used to diagnose generalized anxiety disorder?

Anxiety and worry that makes it difficult for the individual to function Rationale Anxiety and worry that makes it difficult for an individual to function is part of the criteria used to diagnose generalized anxiety disorder. Anxiety and worry that cannot be attributed to another mental disorder or substance abuse Rationale Anxiety and worry that cannot be attributed to another mental disorder or substance abuse is part of the criteria used to diagnose generalized anxiety disorder.

A patient is exhibiting moderate levels of anxiety. Which nursing intervention is appropriate for this patient?

Ask the patient to identify the cause of anxiety. Rationale Encouraging the patient to express feelings help decrease levels of anxiety.

According to evidence, which of these treatment approaches are more effective in the treatment of anxiety?

Cognitive behavioral therapy Rationale Evidence suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders is more effective than for other disorders.

Which nursing interventions promote self-care in the anxious patient? Select all that apply.

Encourage showering and grooming Showering and grooming is a nursing intervention that promotes self-care activities in the patient with anxiety. Ensure adequate nutrition and fluid intake Ensuring adequate nutrition and fluid intake is a self-care activity intervention for the patient with anxiety.

Charles Darwin studied the relationship between the adrenal medulla and emotions. Which chemical, produced in the adrenal medulla, causes the fight or flight response?

Epinephrine Rationale The adrenal medulla produces epinephrine, which causes the fight or flight response.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is associated with which physical symptoms?

Fatigue Fatigue is a classic physical symptom of GAD. Insomnia Insomnia is a classic physical symptom of GAD. Muscle tension Muscle tension is a classic physical symptom of GAD.

A patient with generalized anxiety disorder is taking an herbal remedy for treatment. The psychiatric nurse practitioner caring for the patient asks the patient to discontinue the herbal remedy. What is the psychiatric nurse practitioner's rationale for this action?

Herbal remedies can delay diagnosis of major depression or anxiety disorders. Rationale People who use complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) often delay seeking help from conventional medical providers, which can cause a delay in the diagnosis of major depression and anxiety disorders.

The health care team is managing the care of a patient with moderate anxiety. Which interventions should the team implement for this patient?

Interacting with the patient in a positive manner Including the patient in the interdisciplinary plan of care Recognizing and intervening early when behaviors escalate

Reducing anxiety through the use of relaxation exercises and meditation is an example of which therapeutic intervention?

Milieu management Rationale Milieu management is a treatment for anxiety, which utilizes relaxation exercises, meditation, and biofeedback to promote relaxation and comfort and reduce tension.

Which level of anxiety is healthy because it provides a signal that something is not right?

Moderate anxiety Rationale Mild or moderate anxiety levels can be healthy because they signal that something is not right. Mild levels of anxiety increase awareness.

The health care team is caring for a patient with GAD. Which intervention should the team initiate first for this patient?

Provide a supportive environment Rationale Support and reassurance are the first interventions for people experiencing anxiety because they make the patient feel safe.

The nurse is caring for a patient with generalized anxiety disorder who is experiencing moderate symptoms. What is the nurse's first step in caring for this patient?

Reduce the patient's level of anxiety Rationale Reducing the level of anxiety and its associated symptoms is the first step in the nurse-patient relationship

Which concept describes the development of anxiety that is acquired through observation and modeling of other people?

Social learning model Rationale The social learning model describes the development of anxiety as learned through the observation and modeling of parents or peers.

The treatment team wants to gain a better understanding of the specific situations that provoke anxiety in a patient they are treating. Which treatment would they most likely choose?

Systematic desensitization Rationale Systematic desensitization is the process of exposing progressively anxiety-provoking situations to an individual.

A patient is admitted to the hospital with panic levels of anxiety as evidenced by delusions, poor impulse control, and an inability to problem solve. Which nursing intervention, implemented immediately, will allow the patient to participate in psychotherapy?

Tell the patient to take a walk Rationale Severe to panic levels of anxiety must be reduced for the patient to be able to have meaningful participation in psychotherapy. Taking a brisk walk or exercising helps the patient regain self-control.

A patient with anxiety has been taking a benzodiazepine for several weeks. The psychiatrist adds an antidepressant to the patient's medication regimen. What education does the nurse anticipate providing to the patient?

The benzodiazepine must be slowly tapered off. Rationale If an antidepressant is added to the treatment plan, the patient must be slowly tapered off the benzodiazepine to avoid adverse withdrawal symptoms including agitation, anxiety, sweating, insomnia, and confusion.

Which statement regarding generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is true?

The individual's worrying experienced with GAD becomes a coping mechanism. Rationale Individuals with GAD experience excessive worrying, which acts as a coping mechanism to prevent negative events from happening.

Which statements are true regarding anxiety and depression?

Treatment for both anxiety and depression is similar. Rationale Treatment for anxiety and depression is similar, and includes relaxation, pharmacological intervention, and therapy. Anxiety is frequently associated with substance abuse. Rationale Anxiety is frequently associated with substance abuse. Sufferers may attempt to use medications or alcohol to alleviate symptoms.

The psychiatrist admits a patient with severe anxiety to the hospital. Why would hospital admission be required for this patient?

The patient is suicidal. Rationale Hospital admission may become required if severe symptoms of anxiety persist or if the person is suicidal.

The nurse is caring for a patient with severe anxiety. Which assessment finding requires immediate action by the nurse?

The patient states that severe anxiety symptoms have been present for days. Rationale Severe anxiety that does not resolve puts the patient at increased risk for suicide. The nurse must intervene immediately to promote safety for this patient.

Which concepts are most important for the nurse to utilize in the anxious patient's plan of care?

Understanding levels of anxiety The psychiatric mental health nurse must understand the level of anxiety to appropriately determine the patient's severity. Defensive patterns used in response to anxiety The psychiatric mental health nurse must understand the defense patterns to appropriately determine the patient's severity.

The nurse is reviewing the care plan for the patient with generalized anxiety disorder and determines that the patient is to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. Which question should the nurse ask the patient to determine if the patient is achieving this outcome?

What type of exercise are you doing, how frequently are you exercising and how long are you exercising?" Rationale Asking the patient about his or her ability to manage his or her health care needs allows the nurse to evaluate the patient's progress toward identified outcomes. This is a part of the evaluation phase of the nursing process.