A nurse is teaching a client about a complicated care regimen to follow upon discharge. The client appears distracted and cannot recall basic information reviewed yesterday

Question

When the nurse asks the client to describe feelings about leaving the hospital, the client states, "There's just too much to learn. I know I'm going to get home and mess something up." The nurse recognizes that the client may be experiencing what level of anxiety? a. mild c. severe
b. moderate d. panic

Answer 1

B
Anxiety is a strong sense of dread without a specific source or reason. A client who has mild anxiety may feel irritable and restless but is still able to concentrate and focus on the task at hand. Moderate anxiety causes blood pressure, pulse, and respirations to increase; the person with moderate anxiety also becomes diaphoretic and may have difficulty concentrating or learning new material. The client with severe anxiety has impaired thinking, tunnel vision, low concentration, and limited focus. Physiologic symptoms increase.