A nurse is providing care to a client with panic disorder. Which of the following statements by the nurse is appropriate?
"You should avoid situations that might trigger your panic attacks.".
"Having panic attacks means there's something physically wrong with you.".
"You should try to ignore your panic attacks and distract yourself.".
"It's common for people with panic disorder to also experience depression.".
The Correct Answer is B
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.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Taking benzodiazepines as needed for panic attacks is an incorrect statement. Benzodiazepines are generally not intended for "as-needed" use due to the risk of dependence and withdrawal. They are typically prescribed on a scheduled basis to provide consistent anxiety relief.
Choice B rationale:
Avoiding alcohol while taking benzodiazepines is important due to potential interactions between alcohol and the medication. Both substances can have central nervous system depressant effects, which can lead to increased drowsiness, impaired coordination, and cognitive deficits.
Choice C rationale:
Experiencing drowsiness and dizziness are common side effects of benzodiazepines. Educating the client about these potential side effects is necessary to promote safety and to avoid engaging in activities that require alertness while taking the medication.
Choice D rationale:
This statement indicates a need for further education. Abruptly stopping benzodiazepines can lead to withdrawal symptoms, which may include increased anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and even seizures. Benzodiazepines should be tapered off gradually under medical supervision.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
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.
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