Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 63%
Simulated
A nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. Which of the following symptoms should the nurse expect to observe?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
The correct answer is B: Excessive worry about multiple events. In generalized anxiety disorder, individuals experience excessive and uncontrollable worry about various aspects of their life, including work, family, health, or other concerns. This worry is persistent and difficult to control, leading to significant distress and impairment in daily functioning. This symptom is a hallmark of generalized anxiety disorder.
Avoidance of social situations (A) is more commonly associated with social anxiety disorder. Flashbacks of a traumatic event (C) are characteristic of post-traumatic stress disorder. Compulsive hand washing (D) is a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder. These symptoms are not specific to generalized anxiety disorder.
Avoidance of social situations (A) is more commonly associated with social anxiety disorder. Flashbacks of a traumatic event (C) are characteristic of post-traumatic stress disorder. Compulsive hand washing (D) is a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder. These symptoms are not specific to generalized anxiety disorder.