(^454) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified
PROGNOSIS
Without proper treatment the anxiety will continue, and symptoms may even
progress. The patient’s quality of life is adversely affected. Social functioning be-
comes impaired and in some cases the patient becomes more socially isolated.
Physical symptoms continue, at times necessitating visits to a primary care provider
or even the emergency room. With proper treatment, the symptoms are controlled,
neurotransmitter balance is restored, and remission is achieved. The symptoms will
typically recur at a later point, even when properly treated. It may be months or
years after a successful course of treatment before the symptoms recur. The treat-
ment that was effective in the past will typically be effective again in the future. A
longer treatment course is recommended for subsequent treatment cycles when
using SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).
HALLMARK SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Fear, tension, apprehension due to alteration in neurotransmission
- Persistent worry
- Trouble concentrating
- Irritability and restlessness
- Tachycardia, palpitations, elevated blood pressure due to autonomic nervous
system stimulation - Hyperventilation due to fear, elevated heart rate, and palpitations
- Sweating, tremors due to autonomic nervous system stimulation
- Sleep disturbance and fatigue due to alteration in neurotransmission
- Headache due to nervous system irritability and lack of sleep
INTERPRETING TEST RESULTS
- Normal lab results
TREATMENT
- Administer anxiolytics for acute management:
- alprazolam, clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam