A nurse is educating a patient about phobias. Which of the following statements accurately describes specific phobias?

Specific phobias are fears of a particular stimulus that trigger an excessive and unreasonable response.

Specific phobias are fears of being judged, criticized, or embarrassed in social or performance situations.

Specific phobias are fears of being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing.

Specific phobias are fears of a particular object, situation, or activity that poses little or no actual danger.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale:

Specific phobias are fears of a particular stimulus that trigger an excessive and unreasonable response. In specific phobias, individuals experience intense fear and anxiety in response to specific objects or situations, such as heights, animals, or certain activities. The fear is often recognized as excessive or unreasonable, but the person feels powerless to control the anxiety. This is consistent with the definition of specific phobias, where the fear is focused on a specific trigger.

Choice B rationale:

This choice describes social anxiety disorder (social phobia), not specific phobias. Social phobia involves a fear of being judged, criticized, or embarrassed in social or performance situations. People with social phobia tend to avoid such situations or endure them with intense distress. It's a different type of anxiety disorder with a focus on social interactions rather than specific triggers.

Choice C rationale:

This choice refers to agoraphobia, not specific phobias. Agoraphobia involves a fear of being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing. People with agoraphobia often avoid situations like crowded places or open spaces due to fear of having a panic attack and not being able to escape.

Choice D rationale:

This choice incorrectly defines specific phobias. Specific phobias are characterized by an intense fear of a particular object, situation, or activity that may pose little or no actual danger. The fear is irrational and disproportionate to the threat posed by the trigger. This is why Choice A is the correct answer, as it accurately describes specific phobias.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

This description is more fitting for panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder, which involve intense fear, anxiety, panic, and impaired functioning. Specific phobias can cause distress and impairment, but they are primarily characterized by the fear of a specific object or situation.

Choice B rationale:

Phobias are diagnosed based on the psychological and behavioral symptoms related to the fear of a specific object or situation, not solely on physiological symptoms.

Choice C rationale:

While duration and frequency of symptoms are important factors, they are not the central criteria for diagnosing specific phobias. These factors might be more relevant to other anxiety disorders.

Choice D rationale:

The correct answer. Phobias are diagnosed based on the specific type of fear-inducing object or situation and the associated features of the phobia. These features include the marked and persistent fear, avoidance behavior, and the irrationality of the fear response.

A. "It's important to confront your fears and gradually expose yourself to the situations that make you anxious.". B. "It's best to avoid situations that trigger your anxiety to prevent panic attacks.". C. "You should try to distract yourself when you start feeling anxious in those situations.". D. "You should stay home and avoid going out to prevent any potential panic attacks.".

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

This response is appropriate as it aligns with the principles of exposure therapy. Exposure therapy involves gradually confronting feared situations to reduce anxiety over time. By encouraging the client to face their fears and expose themselves to anxiety-provoking situations in a controlled manner, they can learn that their anxiety decreases over time.

Choice B rationale:

This response is counterproductive and not recommended. Avoiding situations that trigger anxiety can actually reinforce the fear and make it more difficult for the client to cope with their agoraphobia. Avoidance prevents the client from learning that their fear is manageable.

Choice C rationale:

While distraction techniques can be helpful for managing anxiety in the moment, they do not address the underlying fear associated with agoraphobia. Encouraging distraction as the primary coping strategy might hinder the client's progress in overcoming their fear.

Choice D rationale:

This response promotes avoidance, which is not a recommended approach in treating anxiety disorders like agoraphobia. Avoiding situations altogether can worsen the fear and limit the client's ability to engage in normal activities.

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A nurse is educating a patient about phobias. Which of the following statements accurately describes specific phobias?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which of the following statements accurately describes the diagnostic criteria for phobias?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A client with agoraphobia states, "I am afraid of being in places where I can't escape easily." Which of the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is providing education to a client with social phobia. Which of the following statements accurately describes social phobia?

Which medication class is commonly prescribed to manage anxiety and fear associated with phobias?

A nurse is assessing a patient with a specific phobia. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates a specific phobia?

A client with a phobia of flying in airplanes expresses, "I'm so scared that something bad will happen during the flight. I can't even imagine being on a plane without feeling intense fear." This statement is an example of:

A nurse is providing education to a client diagnosed with a specific phobia. Which medication class should the nurse include in the teaching plan?

A client with a phobia is experiencing physiological symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, and shortness of breath. These symptoms are most likely due to: