A nurse is assessing a client with panic disorder who is prescribed benzodiazepines. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further education?

Choice A rationale:

Encourage regular exercise and a healthy diet. Regular exercise and a healthy diet contribute to overall well-being and can have a positive impact on managing anxiety and panic disorder. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters, and a balanced diet supports physical and mental health.

Choice B rationale:

Teach deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation techniques. Deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation are evidence-based relaxation techniques that can help manage anxiety and panic symptoms. They promote relaxation and help clients cope with the physical sensations of panic.

Choice C rationale:

Assist with gradually confronting feared situations or places. This approach, known as exposure therapy, is a common component of cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder. Gradual exposure to feared situations or places can help desensitize the client to triggers and reduce the intensity of panic reactions.

Choice D rationale:

Monitor for signs of serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a potentially serious condition that can result from interactions between certain medications that affect serotonin levels. Monitoring for signs such as agitation, confusion, rapid heart rate, and high blood pressure is crucial when using medications that impact serotonin.

Choice E rationale:

Educate on the potential side effects of benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are sometimes prescribed for short-term relief of acute anxiety or panic symptoms, but they can be habit-forming and have potential side effects like sedation, dizziness, and cognitive impairment. Educating the client about these potential effects is important for informed decision-making.

Choice A rationale:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapy technique commonly used to help clients with panic disorder. It focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to panic attacks. By changing these thought-behavior patterns, individuals can better manage their panic symptoms.

Choice B rationale:

Exposure therapy is another psychotherapy technique used for panic disorder. It involves gradually exposing clients to their feared situations or places in a controlled and supportive environment. Through repeated exposure, individuals can learn to tolerate and manage their anxiety, leading to a reduction in panic attacks.

Choice C rationale:

Relaxation techniques are not the primary psychotherapy technique for panic disorder. While relaxation techniques can help manage general anxiety, panic disorder often requires more targeted interventions like CBT and exposure therapy.

Choice D rationale:

Lifestyle modifications can be beneficial for managing anxiety in general, but they are not a psychotherapy technique specifically designed to help clients confront their feared situations. Psychotherapy techniques like CBT and exposure therapy are more effective in this context.