Practice Question
A nurse practitioner is caring for a person who has experienced pain for three days. What signs would the practitioner note if the patient has anxiety in addition to the pain?
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Correct Answer:
Increased heart rate and respiratory rate with diaphoresis.
Rationale:
🔷Anxiety activates the sympathetic nervous system, producing tachycardia, tachypnea, and diaphoresis (fight-or-flight response).
🔷In patients with acute pain, co-existing anxiety amplifies autonomic signs, so vitals often show ↑HR/↑RR with sweating.
🔷These physiologic markers are objective, helping differentiate anxiety from fatigue, infection, or mood-only changes.
🔷Catecholamine surge (epinephrine/norepinephrine) explains palpitations, shakiness, and hyperventilation.
🔷Recognizing this pattern directs care toward reassurance, analgesia optimization, and anxiolytic strategies as indicated.
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This question is from Week 4 Quiz- Midterm Exam which contains 50 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: LPN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: LPN ATI Exams
- Domain: Mental Health
- Answer Choices: 4