Levels of Anxiety Flashcards
A sensation that something is different and warrants special attention
Mild anxiety
Sensory stimulation increases and helps the person focus attention to learn, solve problems, think, act, feel, and protect themself
Mild anxiety
Disturbing feeling that something is definitely wrong
Moderate Anxiety
Often motivates people to make changes or engage in goal-directed activity
Example: it helps students focus on studying for an examination
Mild anxiety
The person becomes nervous or agitated
The person can still process information, solve problems, and learn new things with assistance from others
Moderate anxiety
The emotional-psychomotor realm predominates with accompanying fight, flight, or freeze responses
Severe anxiety
They have difficulty concentrating independently but can be redirected to the topic
Moderate anxiety
Has trouble thinking and reasoning
Severe anxiety
Muscles tighten and vital signs are increased
The person paces, is restless, irritable, and angry or uses other similar emotional-psychomotor means to release tension
Severe anxiety
Adrenaline surge greatly increases vital signs; pupils enlarge to let in more light, and the only cognitive process focuses on the person’s defense
Severe anxiety
The person’s safety is the primary concern
Panic anxiety
They cannot perceive potential harm and may have no capacity for rational thought
The nurse must keep talking to the person in a comforting manner, even though the client cannot process what the nurse is saying
panic anxiety
Going to a small, quiet, and non-stimulating environment may help reduce anxiety
The nurse can reassure the person that this is anxiety
Panic anxiety
The nurse should remain with the client until the panic recedes
Panic anxiety
Panic-level anxiety is not indefinite but it can last for how many minutes?
5-30 minutes
