The nurse who has been caring for a client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) recognizes that care has been effective when the client is able to: (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY)
Recognize signs of escalating anxiety.
Avoid all situations that cause stress.
Recognize that they need to take medications as ordered.
Utilize relaxation techniques to limit anxiety.
Discuss plans to handle panic attacks if they occur.
Correct Answer : A,C,D,E
Choice A Reason:
Recognizing signs of escalating anxiety is a crucial skill for clients with GAD. This awareness allows them to identify early warning signs and implement coping strategies before anxiety becomes overwhelming. Early recognition can prevent the escalation of symptoms and reduce the impact on daily functioning. This skill is often developed through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other therapeutic interventions that focus on self-awareness and self-monitoring.
Choice B Reason:
Avoiding all situations that cause stress is not a practical or effective strategy for managing GAD. While it is important to reduce unnecessary stress, complete avoidance can lead to increased anxiety and avoidance behaviors, which can worsen the disorde. Instead, clients are encouraged to develop coping strategies to manage stress and face anxiety-provoking situations gradually5. This approach helps build resilience and reduces the overall impact of anxiety on their lives.
Choice C Reason:
Recognizing the need to take medications as ordered is essential for effective management of GAD. Medication adherence ensures that the client maintains therapeutic levels of medication, which can help control symptoms and prevent relapse. Non-adherence to medication regimens is a common issue in mental health treatment and can lead to worsening symptoms and increased risk of hospitalization. Therefore, understanding and adhering to prescribed medications is a key component of effective care.
Choice D Reason:
Utilizing relaxation techniques to limit anxiety is a highly effective strategy for managing GAD. Techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness can help reduce physiological arousal and promote a sense of calm. These techniques are often taught in therapy and can be practiced regularly to help manage anxiety symptoms. Incorporating relaxation techniques into daily routines can significantly improve the client’s ability to cope with stress and anxiety.
Choice E Reason:
Discussing plans to handle panic attacks if they occur is an important aspect of managing GAD. Having a clear plan in place can help the client feel more in control and reduce the fear of experiencing a panic attack. This plan may include strategies such as deep breathing, grounding techniques, and seeking support from trusted individuals. By preparing for potential panic attacks, clients can reduce their overall anxiety and improve their ability to manage symptoms effectively.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Draws attention and approval from significant others.
This statement is incorrect. Compulsive washing rituals in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are not typically performed to draw attention or gain approval from others. Instead, these rituals are driven by an internal need to reduce anxiety and distress associated with obsessive thoughts. The primary function of these behaviors is to manage the individual’s own anxiety rather than to seek external validation.
Choice B Reason:
Provides temporary and partial relief from anxiety.
This is the correct response. Compulsive washing rituals in OCD are performed to alleviate the intense anxiety and distress caused by obsessive thoughts. Although the relief is temporary and partial, it reinforces the behavior, creating a cycle where the individual feels compelled to repeat the ritual to manage their anxiety. This temporary relief is a key characteristic of compulsive behaviors in OCD.
Choice C Reason:
Increases the inhibitory powers of their superego.
This statement is incorrect. The concept of the superego is related to Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, where it represents the internalized moral standards and ideals. Compulsive washing rituals in OCD are not performed to increase the inhibitory powers of the superego but rather to reduce anxiety and distress. The rituals are a response to obsessive thoughts rather than a means of enhancing moral inhibition.
Choice D Reason:
Blocks delusions and hallucinations from awareness.
This statement is incorrect. Delusions and hallucinations are more commonly associated with psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, rather than OCD. Compulsive washing rituals in OCD are not intended to block delusions or hallucinations but to manage anxiety related to obsessive thoughts. The focus of these rituals is on reducing distress rather than addressing psychotic symptoms.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Slowed psychomotor activity.
Slowed psychomotor activity is a hallmark of hypoactive delirium. Patients with this type of delirium often exhibit reduced physical movement and slower reaction times. This symptom can make hypoactive delirium more challenging to recognize compared to the more obvious agitation seen in hyperactive delirium.
Choice B Reason:
Impaired attention and concentration.
Impaired attention and concentration are common in all forms of delirium, including hypoactive delirium. Patients may have difficulty focusing, sustaining, or shifting attention, which can significantly impact their ability to engage in daily activities or follow conversations.
Choice C Reason:
Hallucinations and delusions.
While hallucinations and delusions can occur in delirium, they are more commonly associated with hyperactive delirium. Hypoactive delirium is characterized more by withdrawal and decreased responsiveness rather than the presence of hallucinations or delusions.
Choice D Reason:
Decreased alertness or responsiveness.
Decreased alertness or responsiveness is a key feature of hypoactive delirium. Patients may appear drowsy, lethargic, or less responsive to their environment. This can sometimes be mistaken for depression or fatigue, making it crucial to differentiate hypoactive delirium from other conditions.
Choice E Reason:
Agitation and restlessness.
Agitation and restlessness are characteristic of hyperactive delirium, not hypoactive delirium5. In hypoactive delirium, patients are more likely to be withdrawn and less responsive rather than agitated or restless.
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