A nurse is assessing a client with panic disorder. Which of the following symptoms should the nurse expect to find during a panic attack? Select all that apply.
Palpitations.
Numbness and tingling.
Increased appetite.
Fear of losing control.
Muscle weakness.
Correct Answer : A,B,D,E
Choice A rationale:
Palpitations, or a racing heart, are a common symptom of panic attacks. The body's "fight or flight" response during a panic attack can lead to rapid heart rate and sensations of palpitations.
Choice B rationale:
Numbness and tingling sensations, often referred to as paresthesias, can occur during a panic attack. These sensations are a result of the body's physiological response to stress, leading to altered sensory perceptions.
Choice D rationale:
Fear of losing control is a characteristic symptom of panic attacks. Individuals with panic disorder often describe feeling as though they are losing control over their thoughts, emotions, or even their physical actions during an attack.
Choice E rationale:
Muscle weakness can be experienced during a panic attack due to the release of stress hormones and the physiological changes that accompany the fight-or-flight response. This weakness can affect various muscle groups.
Choice C rationale:
Increased appetite is not typically associated with panic attacks. Panic attacks are more commonly associated with gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or stomach discomfort rather than an increased appetite.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Advising the client to avoid triggering situations oversimplifies the management of panic disorder. Exposure therapy is a common treatment, gradually confronting feared situations to reduce anxiety.
Choice B rationale:
This choice reflects an appropriate understanding of panic disorder. Panic attacks are primarily driven by psychological factors, and reassuring the client that there's nothing physically wrong helps reduce unnecessary health concerns.
Choice C rationale:
Encouraging the client to ignore panic attacks isn't therapeutic. Acknowledging and learning to manage the attacks, rather than suppressing them, is essential.
Choice D rationale:
While comorbidity exists, directly associating panic disorder with depression can be misleading. Not all individuals with panic disorder experience depression.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
This statement accurately describes panic disorder. It is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks—sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort accompanied by physical and cognitive symptoms. These attacks can lead to significant distress and avoidance behaviors.
Choice B rationale:
Panic disorder is not a type of depression; it is a separate anxiety disorder. While there can be co-occurrence of depression and anxiety disorders, they have distinct diagnostic criteria and features.
Choice C rationale:
Panic disorder is not related to substance abuse, nor is it influenced by biological factors that contribute to substance use disorders. It is primarily a psychological condition related to anxiety.
Choice D rationale:
The PDSS (Panic Disorder Severity Scale) is a tool used to assess the severity of panic disorder symptoms, not to diagnose the disorder itself. A diagnosis of panic disorder is based on clinical criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
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