A nurse in an in-patient facility is caring for a client who has an anxiety disorder. Which of the following actions should the nurse take while the client is experiencing an acute panic attack?
A.
Encourage the client to describe their feelings in a journal.
B.
Administer a dose of atomoxetine to the client.
C.
Encourage the client to watch television as a distraction.
D.
Administer a dose of alprazolam to the client.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is:
D. Administer a dose of alprazolam to the client.
Explanation:
During an acute panic attack, immediate intervention is crucial to help the client manage overwhelming symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, and intense fear. The goal is to stabilize the client’s condition and alleviate their distress effectively.
A. Encourage the client to describe their feelings in a journal. While journaling can be a useful therapeutic tool for managing anxiety over time, it is not an effective intervention during an acute panic attack. The client may be too overwhelmed to focus on writing, and this approach does not address the immediate physiological and psychological symptoms of the panic attack.
B. Administer a dose of atomoxetine to the client. Atomoxetine is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) primarily used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), not for panic attacks. Its use would not be appropriate for immediate relief of acute panic symptoms. In contrast, medications like alprazolam, which is a benzodiazepine, are specifically used for rapid relief of acute anxiety symptoms.
C. Encourage the client to watch television as a distraction. While distraction techniques can be helpful, they do not provide immediate relief from the physiological and emotional symptoms of a panic attack. The client might benefit from distraction in a less acute phase but needs more immediate interventions during a panic attack.
D. Administer a dose of alprazolam to the client. Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine that acts quickly to relieve anxiety symptoms by depressing the central nervous system. It is commonly used for the rapid relief of acute anxiety symptoms, including panic attacks. By enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), alprazolam helps to calm the client’s nervous system, reduce the intensity of the panic attack, and provide relief from immediate distress. This makes it an appropriate and effective choice for managing acute panic symptoms.
In summary, during an acute panic attack, alprazolam is an effective medication for providing rapid relief, making option D the most appropriate action for the nurse to take.