A client with GAD states, “I have learned that the best thing I can do is to forget my worries.” How would the nurse evaluate this statement?

The client is developing insight.

The client’s coping skills have improved.

The client needs encouragement to verbalize feelings.

The client’s treatment has been successful.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive, uncontrollable worry that persists for at least six months and interferes with daily functioning. It presents with restlessness, muscle tension, and impaired concentration. Suppression of thoughts, such as trying to "forget worries," is maladaptive and prevents emotional processing. Effective treatment includes cognitive behavioral therapy and anxiety-reducing techniques like relaxation training and exposure to triggers through guided therapy.

Rationale for correct answers

C. The desire to forget worries suggests avoidance, not processing. This shows the client needs to verbalize emotions to reduce internal tension and improve long-term coping.

Rationale for incorrect answers

A. Insight involves recognizing the impact of anxiety and understanding patterns. Avoidance behavior, like trying to forget, lacks self-awareness and does not reflect insight.

B. Improved coping is shown by active management such as cognitive restructuring or relaxation. Forgetting worries is a passive, ineffective defense that hinders emotional resolution.

D. Treatment success includes functional improvements and adaptive coping. Avoiding thoughts contradicts therapeutic goals of confronting and managing anxiety consciously.

Take Home Points

Avoidance of anxiety triggers is a common but ineffective defense mechanism in GAD.
Emotional verbalization is essential for processing and managing anxiety disorders.
Insight involves recognizing the nature of one’s condition and its effects on behavior.
Effective coping in GAD includes cognitive and behavioral strategies, not suppression.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Relaxation techniques aim to reduce anxiety’s physiological and psychological impact, promoting self-regulation. Techniques like deep breathing lower heart rate and muscle tension, typically within 5-10 minutes. They are integral to managing anxiety disorders, affecting 31% of adults, by enhancing coping without eliminating anxiety entirely.

Rationale for correct answers
B. Self-regulation allows patients to experience anxiety without overwhelming distress, aligning with the goal of relaxation techniques to manage symptoms effectively.

Rationale for incorrect answers
A. Confronting anxiety sources directly is not the primary goal of relaxation techniques, which focus on symptom control.
C. Eliminating all anxiety episodes is unrealistic, as relaxation techniques aim to manage, not eradicate, anxiety.
D. Suppressing feelings contradicts the therapeutic goal of processing emotions healthily.

Take Home Points

Relaxation techniques reduce physiological anxiety symptoms, promoting self-regulation.
They are distinct from exposure therapy, which directly addresses anxiety triggers.
Techniques like deep breathing are effective for acute anxiety management.
Goals focus on managing, not eliminating, anxiety to improve coping.

A. Mild B. Moderate C. Severe D. Panic

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Panic attack is a sudden surge of intense fear or discomfort, peaking within minutes, accompanied by physical symptoms like hyperventilation, trembling, and palpitations. It meets diagnostic criteria when four or more symptoms, including behavioral changes, are present. Panic attacks can occur in various anxiety disorders, with a lifetime prevalence of 13%. They differ from chronic worry in generalized anxiety disorder.

Rationale for correct answers
D. Panic level is indicated by rapid pacing, hyperventilation, trembling, and preoccupation, reflecting severe, acute symptoms typical of a panic attack.

Rationale for incorrect answers
A. Mild anxiety involves minimal distress and normal functioning, not matching the intense symptoms described.
B. Moderate anxiety includes selective attention and restlessness, but not the extreme physical and cognitive symptoms observed.
C. Severe anxiety shows impaired concentration but lacks the acute, overwhelming symptoms of a panic attack.

Take Home Points

Panic attacks are acute, with intense physical and cognitive symptoms peaking rapidly.
They differ from generalized anxiety, which involves persistent worry.
Accurate identification guides immediate intervention to reduce distress.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is effective for managing recurrent panic attacks.

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A client with GAD states, “I have learned that the best thing I can do is to forget my worries.” How would the nurse evaluate this statement?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is teaching a client a relaxation technique. The best outcome is that the client will:

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is assessing a client with anxiety. When assessing a client with anxiety, the nurse’s questions should be:

A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with panic disorder. From a cognitive theory perspective, which is a possible cause of panic disorder?

A client who is experiencing a panic attack has just arrived at the emergency department. Which is the priority nursing intervention for this client?

A nurse is working with a client experiencing moderate anxiety. What would the nurse expect to see? Select all that apply

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A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a panic attack. Which of the following would be the best intervention for this client?

A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a panic attack. Which intervention is most appropriate?