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

Inability of the ego to intervene when conflict occurs.

Abnormal elevations of blood lactate and increased lactate sensitivity.

Increased involvement of the neurochemical norepinephrine.

Distorted thinking patterns that precede maladaptive behaviors.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, often accompanied by intense fear and physical symptoms like palpitations and sweating. It involves anticipatory anxiety about future attacks, leading to behavioral changes. Cognitive theory highlights distorted thought patterns as a key contributor, where misinterpretations of bodily sensations trigger escalating fear. These cognitive distortions amplify perceived threats, perpetuating the cycle of panic. Prevalence is approximately 2-3% in the general population, with women affected twice as often as men.

Rationale for correct answers
D. Distorted thinking patterns, such as catastrophizing bodily sensations, are central to cognitive theory, directly contributing to panic disorder by misinterpreting normal physiological changes as dangerous, thus triggering panic attacks.

Rationale for incorrect answers
A. Ego-related conflicts are more aligned with psychoanalytic theory, not cognitive theory, and are less directly tied to the cognitive distortions that precipitate panic attacks.
B. Elevated blood lactate may be associated with physiological responses in panic disorder, but it is not a primary cause in cognitive theory, which focuses on thought patterns.
C. Norepinephrine involvement relates to biological theories of panic disorder, not cognitive theory, which emphasizes cognitive misinterpretations over neurochemical changes.

Take Home Points

Panic disorder involves sudden, intense fear with physical symptoms, often misinterpreted as life-threatening.
Cognitive theory emphasizes distorted thought patterns as a key driver of panic attacks.
It must be differentiated from generalized anxiety disorder, which involves chronic worry without sudden attacks.
Treatment includes cognitive behavioral therapy to address maladaptive thought patterns.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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.

A. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) B. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) C. Family systems therapy D. Psychoanalytical therapy

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive fear, worry, and avoidance behaviors that impair daily functioning. The client describes crowd-related anxiety with intrusive thoughts of losing control, suggesting possible panic disorder or agoraphobia. Non-pharmacological interventions focus on symptom management through cognitive restructuring and exposure techniques.

Rationale for correct answers

A. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the gold standard for anxiety disorders. It targets maladaptive thoughts (e.g., fear of losing control) and uses exposure therapy to desensitize the client to crowds, reducing avoidance behaviors.

Rationale for incorrect answers

B. Electroconvulsive therapy is used for severe, treatment-resistant mood disorders, not anxiety. It involves inducing seizures under anesthesia and is inappropriate for this client’s symptoms.

C. Family systems therapy addresses relational dynamics but does not directly treat the cognitive distortions or avoidance behaviors central to this client’s anxiety.

D. Psychoanalytical therapy explores unconscious conflicts from childhood rather than providing practical strategies for managing acute anxiety symptoms.

Take Home Points

CBT is first-line for anxiety disorders, combining cognitive restructuring and exposure therapy.
Avoidance behaviors (e.g., fleeing crowds) perpetuate anxiety and require structured intervention.
ECT is reserved for severe depression/catatonia, not anxiety.
Effective anxiety treatment focuses on present symptoms, not just past conflicts.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

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

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A client diagnosed with an anxiety disorder tells a nurse that being in crowds creates thoughts of losing control and the need to hurriedly leave. What should the nurse recommend as an effective, non-pharmacological therapy for managing the client’s symptoms of anxiety?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse teaches a client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) some strategies for coping with stressors. Another goal for the client would be to:

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

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 depressed client discussing marital problems with the nurse says, “What will I do if my husband asks me for a divorce?” Which response by the nurse would be an example of therapeutic communication?