A nurse is providing care to a client with panic disorder. Which of the following statements by the nurse is appropriate?

The correct answer is Choice D.

Choice A rationale: Avoidance reinforces fear conditioning and impairs extinction learning; exposure-based strategies are more effective in reducing panic symptoms and restoring functional coping through cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Choice B rationale: Panic attacks are driven by autonomic dysregulation and cognitive misinterpretation, not physical pathology; suggesting physical illness increases somatic focus and health anxiety, worsening panic disorder outcomes.

Choice C rationale: Ignoring panic attacks delays cognitive restructuring and emotional processing; distraction may help short-term but does not address underlying maladaptive beliefs or autonomic hyperarousal.

Choice D rationale: Comorbidity between panic disorder and depression is well-documented; shared neurobiological pathways and chronic distress increase risk for mood disorders, requiring integrated assessment and treatment planning.

Choice A rationale:

Monitoring vital signs, weight, height, and BMI (choice A) is relevant for a general health assessment, but it is not specific to evaluating a client with panic disorder.

Choice B rationale:

Assessing the client's support system, self-esteem, and coping strategies (choice B) is important for understanding the client's psychosocial well-being, but it doesn't directly provide information about their panic disorder and its management.

Choice C rationale:

Collecting the client's medical history, medication use, and family history (choice C) is crucial for assessing the context of the panic disorder. Medical history helps identify any contributing factors, medication use informs about the current treatment, and family history might reveal a genetic predisposition or relevant psychosocial factors.

Choice D rationale:

Requesting laboratory tests and diagnostic tools (choice D) can be useful in ruling out medical conditions that may mimic panic disorder symptoms, but they are not the primary focus of a panic disorder assessment.