Anxiety

Pathophysiology
A programmed sensation causes fear under normal circumstances which can help an individual avoid
potentially harmful things. Patients with generalized anxiety disorder, though, have an exaggerated
response to danger signals and a decreased response to safety signals that would minimize fear
response. Anxiety disorders frequently include "panic attacks" that are sporadically repeated bursts of
minute-long crippling stress, anxiety or terror. Because of the severity and complexity of these assaults,
day-to-day operations can become challenging. Anxiety disorder are thought to be caused by traumatic
events, life experiences, pain, drug abuse or genetic characteristics.
Treatments Clinical Manifestations Labs and Diagnostics
*Oxygen therapy *Nervousness *Pulse oximetry
*Cognitive behavioral *Restlessness *Urinalysis
therapy *Tension *ABGs
*SSRI’s *Tachycardia *CBC, CMP
*Buspirone (Buspar) *feeling of uneasiness or fear *Thyroid function tests
*Xanax *Dizziness *CT scan, MRI
*Valium *weakness/fatigue *Serum electrolytes
*Ativan *Insomnia or excess sleep *ECG, EKG
*Lorazepam *Diaphoresis
*Hydroxyzine *Isolation
Nursing Diagnoses Nursing Considerations
*Powerlessness *Help identify and avoid triggers
*Anxiety *Incorporate relaxation techniques such as guided
*Disturbed sleep pattern imagery, music, yoga or meditation
*Fear *Patient teaching: encourage a healthy diet and
*Chronic Low self-esteem smoking or alcohol cessation
*Provide decreased stimuli and a calm/relaxing
environment
*Encourage positive conversations and use coping
skills

References
Lewis, S.M., Bucher, L., Heitkemper, M. M. L., Harding, M., Kwong, J., & Roberts, D. (2017).

Medical Surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems. St. Louis:

Elsevier.

Lilley, L. L., Collins, S.R., & Snyder, J. S. (2020) Pharmacology and the Nursing Process. St. Louis,

MO: Elsevier.