Page 2250 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

CHAPTER 65

Mental Health Problems

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Priority Concepts
Mood and Affect; Safety

I. Anxiety
A. Description
1. A normal response to stress
2. A subjective experience that includes feelings of
apprehension, uneasiness, uncertainty, or dread
3. Occurs as a result of a threat that may be misperceived
or misinterpreted or a threat to identity or self-esteem
4. Anxiety may result when values are threatened, or
preceding new experiences.
B. Types of anxiety
1. Normal: A healthy type of anxiety
2. Acute: Precipitated by imminent loss or change that
threatens one’s sense of security

3. Chronic: Anxiety that persists as a

characteristic response to daily activities
C. Levels of anxiety
1. Mild
a. Mild anxiety is associated with tense
experiences that occur in everyday life.
b. Increased ability to grasp information
c. Sense of sight and sound are increased.
d. Perceptual field is increased.
e. Can be motivating, produce growth,
enhance creativity, and increase
learning
f. Physical symptoms may include
restlessness, irritability, or mild
tension.
2. Moderate
a. The focus is on immediate concerns.
b. Narrowed perceptual field
c. Sense of sight and sound diminish as

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