A nurse is assessing a client with panic disorder who is prescribed benzodiazepines. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further education?

Choice A rationale:

Encourage regular exercise and a healthy diet. Regular exercise and a healthy diet contribute to overall well-being and can have a positive impact on managing anxiety and panic disorder. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters, and a balanced diet supports physical and mental health.

Choice B rationale:

Teach deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation techniques. Deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation are evidence-based relaxation techniques that can help manage anxiety and panic symptoms. They promote relaxation and help clients cope with the physical sensations of panic.

Choice C rationale:

Assist with gradually confronting feared situations or places. This approach, known as exposure therapy, is a common component of cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder. Gradual exposure to feared situations or places can help desensitize the client to triggers and reduce the intensity of panic reactions.

Choice D rationale:

Monitor for signs of serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a potentially serious condition that can result from interactions between certain medications that affect serotonin levels. Monitoring for signs such as agitation, confusion, rapid heart rate, and high blood pressure is crucial when using medications that impact serotonin.

Choice E rationale:

Educate on the potential side effects of benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are sometimes prescribed for short-term relief of acute anxiety or panic symptoms, but they can be habit-forming and have potential side effects like sedation, dizziness, and cognitive impairment. Educating the client about these potential effects is important for informed decision-making.

Choice A rationale:

Palpitations, or a racing heart, are a common symptom of panic attacks. The body's "fight or flight" response during a panic attack can lead to rapid heart rate and sensations of palpitations.

Choice B rationale:

Numbness and tingling sensations, often referred to as paresthesias, can occur during a panic attack. These sensations are a result of the body's physiological response to stress, leading to altered sensory perceptions.

Choice D rationale:

Fear of losing control is a characteristic symptom of panic attacks. Individuals with panic disorder often describe feeling as though they are losing control over their thoughts, emotions, or even their physical actions during an attack.

Choice E rationale:

Muscle weakness can be experienced during a panic attack due to the release of stress hormones and the physiological changes that accompany the fight-or-flight response. This weakness can affect various muscle groups.

Choice C rationale:

Increased appetite is not typically associated with panic attacks. Panic attacks are more commonly associated with gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or stomach discomfort rather than an increased appetite.