Anxiety Flashcards
Feeling of discomfort, apprehension, or dread related to anticipation of danger, the source of which is often nonspecific or unknown.
Anxiety
Genetics, Gender, Substance Abuse, Illness/Chronic Conditions, History of Stress are all
Predisposing Factors
What is the difference between anxiety and fear?
Anxiety is an emotional response and fear is a cognitive response.
What is the etiology of Nature vs Nurture?
Nature is what we think we were both with; Nurture is what we learn after we’re born
Molecules used by the nervous system to transmit messages between neurons, or from neurons to muscles.
Neurotransmitters
Sleep and arousal, libido, appetite, mood, aggression, pain perception, coordination, judgment; plays a role in the sleep–wake cycle, sexual behavior, appetite, mood, anxiety, aggression, and pain perception.
Serotonin
regulation of mood, cognition, perception, attention, vigilance, memory, cardiovascular functioning, and sleep–wake cycles.
Nonephierene
Slowdown of body activity, reduces the activity of neurons to which it binds; Inhibitory neurotransmitters, such as GABA, prevent postsynaptic excitation, interrupting the progression of the electrical impulse at the synaptic junction
GABA (Gamma-amino-butyric acid)
Fear of specific objects or situations that could conceivably cause harm, but the person’s reaction to them is excessive, unreasonable, and inappropriate
Phobia
Recurrent thoughts, impulses, or images experienced as intrusive and stressful, and unable to be expunged by logic or reasoning; performs certain behaviors to reduce the obessive thoughts
Obessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
recurrent panic attacks, the onset of which are unpredictable and manifested by intense apprehension, fear, or terror, often associated with feelings of impending doom and accompanied by intense physical discomfort
Panic Disorder
What should you do when a patient is in a panic state?
Be calm and nonthreatening
Keep low stimuli surroundings
Teach signs of escalating anxiety
Direct patient to acknowledge reality and focus on the present environment
What should you do when a patient is in a state of fear?
Include patient in making decisions
Encourage patient to explore underlying feelings
Be calm to recognize distress
Remain with the patient and speak slowly and in a low pitched voice
What should you do when you a patient has ineffective coping?
Meet the client’s dependency needs
Provide structured schedule of activities
Make referrals to support groups
Evaluate past coping mechanisms
Explore alternatives to problem situations
What should do you when a patient has ineffective impulse control?
Convey a nonjudgmental attitude.
Practice stress management techniques.
Offer support and encouragement.
Encourage participation in activities, such as exercise that can temporarily relieve feelings of inner tension.
Fear of specific objects or situations that could conceivably cause harm, but the person’s reaction to them is excessive, unreasonable, and inappropriate
Phobia
Excessive fear of situations in which the affected person might do something embarrassing or be evaluated negatively by others
Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia, or SAD)
Fear of being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult or in which help might not be available in the event of panic-like symptoms or other incapacitating symptoms Such as, Traveling in public transportation, Being in open spaces Standing in line or being in a crowd
Agoraphobia
Symptoms of _____ _____ include elevated temperature, agitation, muscle rigidity or twitching, sweating, irregular heartbeat, and seizures.
Serorotin Syndrome
What are the nursing interventions for serotonin syndrome?
Hold serotonergic medication! Start symptomatic treatment (medications to create serotonin receptor blockade and muscle rigidity, cooling blankets, anticonvulsants, artificial ventilation)
Helps the client recognize and correct distorted and irrational thinking patterns. Behavioral strategies offer reinforcement for positive change. Also teaches alternative ways to deal with illness.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Targets anxiety born of trauma by systematically exposing patients to their own trauma via a structured process of education, breathing, retraining, and real-world (or in vivo) and imaginal exposure.
Exposure Therapy
A nurse is teaching a patient about diazapam for anxiety. What indicates that the patient understands the teaching?
If i become pregnant, I have to let my provider know
A patient is currently taking fluoxtine and is also self-administering St. John’s wart for the past 2 weeks. What findings indicate that the nurse should indicate serotion syndrome?
Hallucinations
