Question

Describe a client from your clinical setting or work who experienced severe anxiety or panic. Include a brief history and three most pertinent medications.

• Describe the assessment process for this patient.
• Identify at least one effective and one non-effective nursing intervention. Why did they work? What didn't work?
• Name and describe two stress reduction techniques you have used and whether they were helpful or not in reducing stress.

Answer 1

Recently, i have come across a patient of mine for whom we have advised a MRI Brain as she complained of recent syncopal attack. As soon as she entered the scanning room she became nervous and she denied to go for scanning.So, i calmed her down and advised to take tablet lonazep-MD(clonazepam) which is a benzodiazepine .she came the next day and before she entered the scanning room she took the tablet and it worked and the scanning was done. Benzodiazepines like clonazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam gives immediate relief. fluoxetine, paroxetine , duloxetine escitalopram are also used to relieve panic or anxiety attacks.

• Assessment process for this patient includes questions like
• Is it the first time having a panic attack?
• how often do you get these attacks?
• In what circumstances do you get these attacks?
• One effective nursing intervention is taking the patient to a peaceful area and calm her down. non effective intervention would be giving the patient unnecessary reassurance that could add up to their undue worry.
• I have tried to lessen the sensory stimuli by taking the patient out of the scanning room to a quiet and peaceful area .
• I also instructed the appropriate use of anti anxiety drugs.
• The above two techniques helped the patient to calm down.