Author Question: A patient with a history of an anxiety disorder presents at the community health clinic complaining ... (Read 41 times)

Hungry! · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A patient with a history of an anxiety disorder presents at the community health clinic complaining of headache and dizziness. Which additional symptoms would suggest to the nurse that the patient might be experiencing a recurrence of the anxiety

disorder? Select all that apply.
1. Dilated pupils
2. Decreased blood pressure
3. Dry skin
4. Tachycardia
5. Diarrhea

Question 2

When assessing a patient with chronic anxiety, the nurse notes that the patient also suffers from frequent infections. Which is most likely the reason for the patient's frequent infections?

1. Trait anxiety leads to immune system compromise.
2. Trait anxiety is a defense mechanism for psychological illness.
3. Proteins released by immune cells indirectly influence brain activity.
4. Psychological illness occurs due to a lack of interpersonal relationships, resulting in manifestations of physiological illness.

smrtceo · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: 1, 4, 5
Explanation: Symptoms of severe anxiety include headache, dizziness, dilated pupils, tachycardia, and diarrhea. Elevated, not decreased, blood pressure and sweating, not dry skin, are also symptoms of severe anxiety.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: 1
Explanation: Factors affecting mental illnesses are thought to include a combination of genetic, environmental, psychological, and developmental influences. Chronic anxiety (also known as trait anxiety) leads to immune system compromise. Trait anxiety is not a defense mechanism. Cytokines are proteins released by immune cells that influence brain activity; however, these proteins directly, not indirectly, influence brain activity. Alterations of interpersonal relationships and their connection to psychological illness are not likely to result in infection.