Anxiety

Definition
 Vague, uneasy feeling of discomfort or dread accompanied by an autonomic response
(the source often nonspecific or unknown to the individual); a feeling of apprehension
caused by anticipation of danger. It is an alerting sign that warns of impending danger
and enables the individual to take measures to deal with threat
Related Factors (r/t)
 Major change (e.g., economic status, environment, health status, role function, role
status)
 Death of Husband

Defining Characteristics (AEB)

 Decrease in productivity; extraneous movement; fidgeting; glancing about;
hypervigilance; insomnia; poor eye contact; restlessness; scanning behavior; worry about
change in life event
 Anguish; apprehensiveness; distress; fear; feelings of inadequacy; helplessness; increase
in wariness; irritability; jitteriness; overexcitement; rattled; regretful; self-focused;
uncertain; worried
 Facial tension; hand tremors; increased perspiration; increased tension; shakiness;
trembling; voice quivering
 Alteration in respiratory pattern; anorexia; brisk reflexes; cardiovascular excitation;
diarrhea; dry mouth; facial flushing; heart palpitations; increase in blood pressure;
increase in heart rate; increase in respiratory rate; pupil dilation; superficial
vasoconstriction; twitching; weakness
 Abdominal pain; alteration in sleep pattern; decrease in heart rate; decreased blood
pressure; diarrhea; faintness; fatigue; nausea.

Client Outcomes:
 Identify and verbalize symptoms of anxiety by date of discharge.
 Identify, verbalize, and demonstrate techniques to control anxiety by date of discharge.
 Demonstrate increased external focus by date of discharge.
Nursing Interventions and Rationales
 Use empathy to encourage the client to interpret the anxiety symptoms as normal.
EBN:The way a nurse interacts with a client influences his/her quality of life. Providing
psychological and social support can reduce the symptoms and problems associated with
 anxiety (Wagner & Bear, 2009). In another study, patients undergoing couples therapy
felt significantly more trust and responded with more success to those therapists who
provided empathetic and compassionate responses and suggestions (Benson et al, 2012).
 If irrational thoughts or fears are present, offer the client accurate information and
encourage him or her to talk about the meaning of the events contributing to the anxiety.
EBN:In one study providing cancer patients with accurate information about their
disease, prognosis and outcomes significantly reduced their anxiety and increased
empowerment (Lauzier et al, 2014)
 Monitor the client for depression. Use appropriate interventions and referrals. EB:GAD is
a common and disabling disorder in later life that is highly comorbid with mood, anxiety,
and personality disorders; psychiatric comorbidity is associated with an increased risk
for medical conditions in this population. Considering that late-life GAD is associated
with impaired quality of life but low levels of professional help-seeking, increased effort
is needed to help individuals with this disorder to access effective treatments (Mackenzie
et al, 2011).