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Nursing Assessment and Diagnosis

- The nursing assessment for panic disorder involves collecting data from various sources, such as the client’s history, physical examination, mental status examination, laboratory tests, and diagnostic tools.

- Some of the data that should be obtained during the nursing assessment are:

  • The onset, frequency, duration, severity, triggers, and symptoms of panic attacks
  • The client’s coping strategies, support system, self-esteem, and self-efficacy
  • The client’s medical history, medication use, substance use, family history, and personal history
  • The client’s vital signs, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), cardiac rhythm (ECG), blood pressure (BP), pulse oximetry (SpO2), respiratory rate (RR), temperature (T), pain level (PL), and other physical findings
  • The client’s mental status examination (MSE), which includes appearance, behavior, mood, affect, speech, thought process, thought content, perception, cognition, insight, and judgment
  • The client’s laboratory tests, such as complete blood count (CBC), blood glucose, electrolytes, thyroid function tests (TFT), liver function tests (LFT), renal function tests (RFT), urine drug screen (UDS), and toxicology screen (TS)
  • The client’s diagnostic tools, such as the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), which is a 7-item questionnaire that measures the severity of panic disorder symptoms in the past week

- The nursing diagnosis for panic disorder is based on the analysis of the data collected during the nursing assessment.

- Some of the possible nursing diagnoses for panic disorder are:

  • Anxiety related to perceived threats or loss of control
  • Ineffective coping related to maladaptive responses to stress or anxiety
  • Social isolation related to fear of embarrassment or rejection
  • Impaired social interaction related to avoidance behavior or low self-esteem
  • Risk for self-directed violence related to hopelessness or depression
  • Knowledge deficit related to panic disorder and its treatment

Questions on Nursing Assessment and Diagnosis

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The statement "I believe my panic attacks are a result of a physical health problem" suggests a misunderstanding of panic disorder. While panic attacks can manifest with physical symptoms, they are primarily caused by psychological factors, such as anxiety and fear, rather than solely by physical health problems.

Correct Answer is ["A","B","D","E"]

Explanation

Muscle weakness can be experienced during a panic attack due to the release of stress hormones and the physiological changes that accompany the fight-or-flight response. This weakness can affect various muscle groups.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The statement "I've learned some relaxation techniques to help manage my anxiety" indicates that the client has acquired useful tools to manage anxiety. This suggests that the client is actively seeking ways to cope with panic attacks, which is a positive indicator.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

While comorbidity exists, directly associating panic disorder with depression can be misleading. Not all individuals with panic disorder experience depression.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Osteoporosis isn't a known complication of panic disorder. There's no physiological connection between panic attacks and bone health.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Allergies aren't linked to an increased risk of panic disorder. This choice lacks a plausible biological or psychological connection.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The statement "I believe my panic attacks are caused by a substance I'm using" indicates a different perspective on the origin of panic attacks. While substance use can contribute to anxiety or trigger panic attacks in some cases, anticipatory anxiety specifically refers to the fear of future panic attacks, not their immediate causes.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Monitoring vital signs regularly is important, but it is not the highest priority for a client with panic disorder. Addressing anxiety symptoms and providing appropriate interventions to manage panic attacks should come first.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Collecting laboratory tests and diagnostic tools might be necessary for ruling out other medical conditions that could mimic anxiety symptoms, but these should be secondary to gathering information about medical history, medication use, and family history when assessing a client with panic disorder.

Correct Answer is ["A","B"]

Explanation

Referring the client to self-help groups for peer support and education is also a beneficial intervention. However, during a panic attack, the client may not be open to the idea of group involvement. This recommendation is better suited for a calmer moment when the client can consider it more rationally.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Inquiring about laboratory tests is not directly relevant to the assessment of panic disorder. Panic disorder is primarily diagnosed based on clinical criteria, and laboratory tests are not typically used for diagnosis.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

"Knowledge deficit related to panic disorder and its treatment" is not the best diagnosis for a client with panic disorder. While education about the disorder is important, panic disorder is primarily characterized by the presence of panic attacks and related symptoms, which should take precedence in the nursing diagnosis.

Adhering to the prescribed treatment regimen and following up with appointments (choice D) is crucial for any medical condition, including panic disorder. However, this outcome doesn't directly measure the reduction in panic attacks, which is a more specific measure of successful management.

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.

Referring the client to self-help groups for peer support and education (choice E) offers additional resources and insights from individuals who have experienced similar challenges, fostering a sense of community and reducing isolation.

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.

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.

The PDSS (Panic Disorder Severity Scale) is a tool used to assess the severity of panic disorder symptoms, not to diagnose the disorder itself. A diagnosis of panic disorder is based on clinical criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are sometimes used for panic disorder, but they are not the first-line treatment due to their potential side effects and safety concerns. SSRIs have largely replaced TCAs as the preferred choice due to their better tolerability and safety profile.

Lifestyle modifications can be beneficial for managing anxiety in general, but they are not a psychotherapy technique specifically designed to help clients confront their feared situations. Psychotherapy techniques like CBT and exposure therapy are more effective in this context.

Educating the client on the potential side effects of benzodiazepines is relevant, but it is not the most accurate description of nursing care for panic disorder. Nursing care goes beyond medication education and involves a comprehensive approach to addressing the client's emotional, psychological,

<p>&quot;Tricyclic antidepressants inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine in the brain.&quot; While tricyclic antidepressants have been used historically to treat panic disorder, they are not considered first-line treatments due to their potential side effects and the availability of newer, safer op

<p>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

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