A nurse in an urgent care clinic is caring for a client who is using loud and rapid speech and continuously repeats, "I don't know why my wife left me." Which of the following levels of anxiety is the client experiencing?
Moderate
Panic
Severe
Mild
The Correct Answer is A
Moderate. According to the Mayo Clinic moderate anxiety is characterized by symptoms such as loud and rapid speech, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, and increased worry. The client's behavior matches these symptoms, indicating that they are experiencing moderate anxiety.
Choice B. Panic is incorrect because panic is a severe form of anxiety that involves symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, trembling, and a sense of impending doom. The client does not exhibit these symptoms.
Choice C. Severe is incorrect because severe anxiety is marked by symptoms such as irrational fear, detachment from reality, hallucinations, and loss of control¹². The client does not show these symptoms.
Choice D. Mild is incorrect because mild anxiety is associated with symptoms such as nervousness, increased alertness, and slight discomfort¹². The client's symptoms are more intense than mild anxiety.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The client is easily startled by loud voices. Clients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may exhibit hyperarousal symptoms, including exaggerated startle responses and hypervigilance. The client talking constantly about the traumatic experience is a possible finding in PTSD but not specific. The client is constantly drowsy and sleeping 11-12 hours daily is more associated with depression than PTSD. While the client may have satisfying personal relationships, it does not address the question of what finding to expect with PTSD, making choice C incorrect.
Reasons why the other choices are not answers:
Choice A, the client talking constantly about the traumatic experience, is a possible symptom of PTSD, but it is not specific to the disorder and may also indicate other disorders.
Choice B, the client being constantly drowsy and sleeping 11-12 hours daily, is more indicative of depression than PTSD and also does not address the question of finding expected with PTSD.
Choice C, the client reports satisfying personal relationships with family and close friends, does not address what finding is expected with PTSD, making it an incorrect answer.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
"The client reports his heart is beating out of his chest." as this symptom is consistent with anxiety and the client's prescription is for PRN anxiety. Alprazolam is a medication used to treat anxiety disorders and symptoms of anxiety.
Choice A, "The client pretends to be a government agent," is not a symptom that would be treated with alprazolam.
Choice B, "The client reports seeing bugs crawling on the walls," may indicate the presence of a hallucination or other mental health symptom, but is not related to anxiety and is not an appropriate indication for alprazolam.
Choice C, "The client describes an increase in pain after receiving meperidine," indicates a potential adverse drug effect and is not related to anxiety or an indication for alprazolam.
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