A client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) expresses, "I often avoid situations that might trigger my anxiety." What is the nurse's appropriate response?
"Avoiding triggers will help you overcome your anxiety.".
"Facing your fears gradually can be an effective strategy.".
"Avoidance is the best way to manage anxiety.".
"Avoiding triggers is a permanent solution for GAD.".
The Correct Answer is B
"Facing your fears gradually can be an effective strategy."
Choice A rationale:
Telling the client that avoiding triggers will help overcome anxiety might inadvertently reinforce avoidance behaviors, which can worsen anxiety over time. Avoidance prevents the client from developing coping skills and facing their fears, hindering their progress in managing anxiety.
Choice B rationale:
This response is appropriate because it supports the principle of exposure therapy, a widely recognized approach for anxiety disorders. Gradually confronting anxiety triggers in a controlled manner can help desensitize the client to those triggers and reduce anxiety over time. By facing fears, the client learns to manage their anxiety in real-life situations, leading to improved overall functioning.
Choice C rationale:
Indicating that avoidance is the best way to manage anxiety is incorrect. Avoidance perpetuates anxiety by preventing the client from learning how to cope with triggers and situations that provoke anxiety. Over time, avoidance can lead to greater distress and impairment in daily life.
Choice D rationale:
Stating that avoiding triggers is a permanent solution for GAD is inaccurate. Avoidance only offers temporary relief and does not address the underlying anxiety or provide long-term strategies for managing it. Without proper intervention, the client's anxiety is likely to persist and even worsen.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
"Excessive worry is a key feature of GAD."
Choice A rationale:
This statement is incorrect. GAD involves excessive worry about a wide range of situations, not just those that are likely to happen. The worry is often disproportionate to the actual circumstances.
Choice B rationale:
This statement is incorrect. GAD can significantly impact daily life by causing distress, impairing concentration, and affecting decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
Choice C rationale:
This statement is incorrect. GAD involves uncontrollable worry that is difficult to manage, rather than easy to control whenever it arises.
Choice D rationale:
This statement is correct. Excessive worry is indeed a key feature of GAD. Individuals with GAD experience persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of their life, often accompanied by physical symptoms such as restlessness, muscle tension, and fatigue. This worry is difficult to control and can lead to significant distress and impairment in daily functioning.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
GAD is not a temporary condition that usually resolves on its own. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic mental health condition characterized by persistent and excessive worry and anxiety that lasts for at least six months. It does not typically resolve spontaneously.
Choice B rationale:
GAD is not characterized by occasional episodes of extreme anxiety. Instead, it involves constant and chronic worry that is difficult to control and interferes with daily functioning.
Choice C rationale:
GAD is not more prevalent in men and individuals without a family history of mental illness. In fact, GAD is more commonly diagnosed in women and individuals with a family history of anxiety or mood disorders.
Choice D rationale:
This is the correct choice. GAD involves excessive and uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life, such as health, work, relationships, and everyday situations. This worry is often disproportionate to the actual situation and can cause significant distress and impairment in daily life.
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