ANXIETY BASICS
This condition involves sudden episodes of intense fear with physical symptoms like chest tightness and fast heart rate.
Panic attack
This vital sign change is common in anxiety and panic attacks.
Answer: Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
A patient is having a panic attack. What is the FIRST nursing action?
Answer: Stay with the patient
Best response: “I feel like something is wrong.”
Answer: “I’m here with you. Tell me what you’re feeling.”
These are the first-line medications for long-term treatment of anxiety.
SSRIs
This anxiety disorder involves excessive worry most days for at least 6 months.
Answer: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
What should the nurse encourage during a panic attack?
Answer: Slow, deep breathing
Rationale: Helps calm body.
During a panic attack, the nurse should encourage the patient to do this.
Answer: Slow, deep breathing
Which statement is therapeutic?
A. “Calm down.”
B. “You’ll be fine.”
C. “Tell me more about what’s worrying you.”
D. “Stop thinking about it.”
Answer: C
These medications are used for quick relief of severe anxiety or panic attacks. (Hint: class of drugs)
Answer: Benzodiazepines
A child who cries and refuses to leave a parent is showing this type of anxiety.
Answer: Separation anxiety
A patient breathing very fast during a panic attack is experiencing this.
Answer: Hyperventilation
Which environment is best for an anxious patient?
A. Loud and busy
B. Quiet and calm
C. Bright and crowded
D. Stimulating
Answer: B. Quiet and calm
This type of question encourages patients to talk more.
Answer: Open-ended question
A major risk of benzodiazepines is this.
Answer: Dependence / addiction
This feeling, common in panic attacks, is described as “something bad is about to happen.”
Answer: Sense of impending doom
Which symptom is expected in anxiety?
A. Slow breathing
B. Sweating
C. Decreased heart rate
D. Drowsiness
Answer: B. Sweating
The nurse’s top priority for a patient with severe anxiety is this.
Answer: Safety
Telling a patient “Everything will be okay.” is not therapieutic because it gives them ____
Answer: False reassurance
Children taking SSRIs should be monitored for this serious side effect.
Answer: Suicidal thoughts
Children with anxiety often show symptoms through physical complaints like headaches or this common issue.
Answer: Stomachaches
Restlessness, pacing, and inability to sit still are common signs of this.
Answer: Anxiety
A child is very anxious before a procedure. Allowing a parent to stay can help reduce this.
Answer: Anxiety / fear
When a patient is very anxious, the nurse should use this type of communication.
Answer: Short, simple statements
Which side effect is common with SSRIs?
A. Severe bleeding
B. Nausea
C. Paralysis
D. Vision loss
Answer: B. Nausea