DEFINITIONS & RECOGNITION
Sudden intense fear with palpitations, SOB, fear of dying
Panic attack
Most common medical condition panic attacks mimic
Myocardial infarction
First nursing action during a panic attack in the ED
Assess vital signs
First-line medication class for long-term anxiety
SSRIs
Incorrect assumption during panic symptoms
“It’s just anxiety”
Anxiety level where learning and focus are impaired
: Severe anxiety
Physiologic system activated during panic
Sympathetic nervous system
Best immediate nursing presence during panic
Stay with the patient
Medication class used short-term for acute panic
Benzodiazepines
Why teaching breathing is not first
Patient cannot process information
Anxiety level where the client cannot process the environment
Panic-level anxiety
Panic symptom that requires medical assessment first
Chest pain
Most therapeutic initial communication
Calm reassurance
Why SSRIs take weeks to work
Neurotransmitter receptor adaptation
Exam clue that signals panic, not mild anxiety
Fear of dying
Symptom that distinguishes panic from mild anxiety
Feeling of losing control or dying
Why panic can become life-threatening
Can mask a medical emergency
Best environment for a patient in panic
: Low stimulation
Medication risk in panic patients with substance use
Dependence
Action that worsens panic
Leaving the patient alone
Panic disorder
What is Antisocial Personality Disorder?
Most important danger to rule out in the ED
Cardiac or respiratory cause
Priority after medical causes are ruled out
Support and grounding
Teaching priority for anxiety medications
Meds control symptoms, therapy treats cause
Core NCLEX rule for panic
Rule out medical causes first