A nurse is providing education to a client with social phobia. Which of the following statements accurately describes social phobia?
Social phobia is a fear of a particular stimulus that triggers an excessive and unreasonable response.
Social phobia is a fear of being judged, criticized, or embarrassed in social or performance situations.
Social phobia is a fear of being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing.
Social phobia is a fear of a specific object, situation, or activity that poses little or no actual danger.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
Social phobia is a fear of a particular stimulus that triggers an excessive and unreasonable response. This description aligns more closely with the definition of a specific phobia rather than social phobia. Specific phobias involve a fear of specific objects or situations, not general social interactions.
Choice B rationale:
Social phobia is a fear of being judged, criticized, or embarrassed in social or performance situations. This is the correct answer. Social phobia, also known as social anxiety disorder, is characterized by an intense fear of negative evaluation in social settings. Individuals with social phobia are often excessively self-conscious and fear humiliation or embarrassment when interacting with others.
Choice C rationale:
Social phobia is a fear of being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing. This description aligns with agoraphobia, which involves a fear of situations from which escape may be challenging, rather than social phobia.
Choice D rationale:
Social phobia is a fear of a specific object, situation, or activity that poses little or no actual danger. This description aligns more with the definition of a specific phobia, where the fear is often triggered by a specific object or situation that poses limited real danger.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Genetic predisposition and neurochemical imbalances. While genetics and neurochemistry can contribute to the development of anxiety disorders, they are not the primary factors behind avoidance behaviors associated with specific phobias. Phobias are often learned responses.
Choice B rationale:
Traumatic experiences and learned associations. This choice is the correct answer. Avoidance behaviors seen in specific phobias are usually a result of traumatic experiences that lead to the formation of strong fear responses through learned associations. For instance, if someone had a traumatic experience with spiders, they might develop a phobia of spiders and actively avoid situations involving spiders to prevent the intense fear from reoccurring.
Choice C rationale:
Cultural influences and family dynamics. While cultural factors and family dynamics can impact a person's psychological development, they are not the primary drivers of avoidance behaviors in specific phobias. Phobias are more closely linked to personal experiences and learned responses.
Choice D rationale:
Negative self-beliefs and cognitive distortions. Negative self-beliefs and cognitive distortions are more characteristic of conditions like depression and anxiety disorders, but they are not the central factors driving avoidance behaviors in specific phobias. These behaviors are more strongly connected to learned fear responses.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Antidepressants (Choice A) are not typically the first-line medication class for treating specific phobias. While they may be used in some cases, they are not the primary choice for addressing the symptoms of phobias.
Choice B rationale:
Benzodiazepines (Choice B) are sometimes used to manage acute anxiety symptoms, but they are generally not recommended for long-term treatment of specific phobias due to the risk of dependence and potential side effects.
Choice C rationale:
Beta-blockers (Choice C) can be useful in managing the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid heartbeat and trembling, which often accompany phobias. They work by blocking the effects of adrenaline, reducing the "fight or flight" response. This can help the client feel more physically at ease when confronting their phobic stimulus.
Choice D rationale:
Analgesics (Choice D) are pain-relieving medications and have no direct relevance to treating phobias. They do not address the underlying fear and anxiety associated with phobias.
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