The patient tells the nurse he worries about everything all day, feels confused, restless, and just can't stop worrying. What is the best response by the nurse?

Question

1. "You have generalized anxiety; I will teach you some relaxation techniques."
2. "This sounds like social anxiety. You need to calm down and you'll be fine."
3. "You have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and it is time for your therapy session."
4. "This is called panic disorder; I'll get your medication for you."

Answer 1

1
Rationale 1: Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive anxiety but not to panic levels. Other symptoms include restlessness, muscle tension, and loss of focus and ability to concentrate. Relaxation techniques are effective in reducing anxiety.
Rationale 2: Social anxiety disorder is characterized by "performance anxiety," (i.e., extreme fear when a patient is in a social situation); there is no information to support that this is what the patient is experiencing. Also, telling the patient to "calm down" is non-therapeutic.
Rationale 3: Posttraumatic stress disorder is situational anxiety that develops in response to re-experiencing a previous traumatic life event; there is no information that the patient has experienced a trauma.
Rationale 4: Panic disorder is characterized by intense feelings of apprehension, terror, and impending doom and increased autonomic nervous system anxiety; the patient does not have these symptoms.
Global Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive anxiety but not to panic levels. Other symptoms include restlessness, muscle tension, and loss of focus and ability to concentrate. Relaxation techniques are effective in reducing anxiety. Panic disorder is characterized by intense feelings of apprehension, terror, and impending doom and increased autonomic nervous system anxiety; the patient does not have these symptoms. Posttraumatic stress disorder is situational anxiety that develops in response to re-experiencing a previous traumatic life event; there is no information that the patient has experienced a trauma. Social anxiety disorder is characterized by "performance anxiety," (i.e., extreme fear when a patient is in a social situation); there is no information to support that this is what the patient is experiencing. Also, telling the patient to "calm down" is non-therapeutic.