A nurse is formulating nursing diagnoses for a client with panic disorder. Which nursing diagnosis would be appropriate for this client?

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 well-established non-pharmacological treatment for panic disorder. It focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to anxiety. By addressing these cognitive distortions, clients can learn to manage their panic symptoms more effectively.

Choice B rationale:

Exposure therapy is another evidence-based approach for treating anxiety disorders. However, it involves gradual exposure to feared situations or stimuli to reduce anxiety over time. While it can benefit clients with panic disorder, it does not specifically address challenging negative thoughts as CBT does.

Choice C rationale:

Lifestyle modifications, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress reduction techniques, can indeed help reduce physical symptoms associated with panic attacks. However, they do not directly address the cognitive and emotional aspects of panic disorder like CBT does.

Choice D rationale:

Complementary therapies may have a role in managing anxiety, but they are unlikely to replace the need for medications or evidence-based psychotherapies. These therapies, such as acupuncture or herbal remedies, are typically used as adjuncts to conventional treatments rather than substitutes.