Anxiety Flashcards
Anxiety has four levels
Mild , moderate , severe, and panic
Mild anxiety
Lowest level of anxiety
Part of everyday life - can motivate a person
Symptoms of mild anxiety
*restlessnes
*mild tension
*irritable
*himpatient
* foot / finger tapping
* butterfly feeling
* difficulty sleeping
Moderate anxiety
Moderate anxiety
Thinking clearly can be imparied
Symptoms for moderate anxiety
‘increased heart rate,sweating , headache, frequent uriniation, GI upset, muscle tension , easily irritable / distracted, difficulty concentrating
Severe anxiety
Impaired ability to function
Doesn’t pay attention, doesn’t respond to redirections
Symptoms of sever anxiety
Panic attack, hyperventilating, chest pain, rapid speech, disconnected from reality, diaphoresis” sweating “
Panic anxiety
Highest level
Overwhelming feeling of terror / helplessness
Panic attacks happen sudden and unexpected
Panic anxiety symptoms
Chest pain
Dizziness
Difficulty breathing
Feel like they are dying , going crazy
Distorted perception
Loss rational thought
BENZODIAZEPINES
They work quick - for ACUTE symptoms
Used for short term
It is not giving to elder P.T
BENZODIAZEPINES
THERAPEUTIC CLASS
Sedative hypotonic anxiolytics
Example;
AlprazolAM(xanax), diazepAM(Valium), lorazepAM(Ativan), clonazepAM(Klonopin)
BENZODIAZEPINES INDICATIONS
- Treats anxiety
- Insomnia
- Seizures
- Muscle spasms
Acute anxiety symptoms!!
Benzodiazepines side effects
- CNS depressant
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Impaired coordination
5.memory problems
Can worsen the anxiety *
Can lead to insomnia *
Withdraw effects from benzodiazepines
Anxiety
Insomnia
Diaphoresis (excessive sweating)
Hypertension
Lightheaded
Nursing considerations for BENZODIAZEPINES
Take nap after taking med
Avoid activities that require alertness
Avoid alcohol / other depressants
Fall precaution
Rick for dependency
Reverse adverse effect for BENZODIAZEPINES
Flumazenil
If P.T has glaucoma , can they take benzodiazepines
NO.
CAN LEAD TO PERMANENT VISION LOST!
BUSPIRONE
To treat anxiety disorders
It binds serotonin and dopamine receptors in the brain
Can be used long term (safer )
Takes 2-4 weeks for full effect
(P.T should be educated that it develops slowly)
Low potential fro abuse / dependence
BUSPIRONE side effects
Headache
Dizziness
Drowsiness]nause
Nervousness
Restlessness
Lightheadedness
Nursing considerations for BUSPIRONE
Monitor for depression / suicidal thoughts
It’s metabolized by the LIVER
ST John’s wort med and grapefruit can lead to toxicity / bad effects
SSRI Antidepressant
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Increases level of serotonin in the brain -> increased serotonin gives elevated mood and less depression
Takes 4 weeks for therapeutic effect
Take same time everyday
But too much serotonin can lead to serotonin syndrome
Serotonin syndrome
Hyperthermia (Makes you hot ), agitation, confusion, rapid H.R, high BP, sweating , loss coordination, diarrhea, seizures.
It’s a result of excessive serotonin in the body
Symptoms occurs within several hours
Resolved when med is discontinued
Symptoms are
SSRI therapeutic class
Floxetine ( Prozac)
Sertraline (Zoloft )
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Citalopram (celexa)
Escitalopram ( lexapro)
