NURS 6630 Week6 Assignment: Assessing and Treating Patients With Anxiety Disorders

NURS 6630 Week6 Assignment: Assessing and Treating Patients With Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders often present with symptoms such as chest pains, shortness of breath, and other physical manifestations that can mimic serious medical conditions like heart attacks. Patients experiencing these symptoms often seek care from primary care providers or emergency departments. Once organic causes are ruled out, psychiatric mental health practitioners may be called upon to provide anxiolytic therapy. In this Assignment, we will explore a case study involving a middle-aged Caucasian man with anxiety and make decisions regarding pharmacological treatments while considering the patient’s unique factors.

Introduction to the Case

The case involves a middle-aged Caucasian man experiencing anxiety-related symptoms. It is crucial to consider various patient factors that may influence the choice of medication for this individual.

Decision #1

In Decision #1, I would recommend starting the patient on psychotherapy, specifically cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). My decision is based on the understanding that CBT is an evidence-based intervention for anxiety disorders (Hofmann et al., 2012). This approach addresses the root causes of anxiety, provides coping strategies, and reduces the reliance on medication.

Understanding Triage Nursing and Its Importance

I did not choose medication options in Decision #1 because starting with psychotherapy aligns with the principle of using the least intrusive intervention first and considering the patient’s preferences and values. Additionally, psychotherapy carries a lower risk of side effects and avoids potential complications associated with medications.

The primary goal of this decision is to provide effective treatment while minimizing the risk of adverse effects from medications. Ethically, it promotes patient autonomy and shared decision-making by involving the patient in choosing the treatment approach.

Decision #2

In Decision #2, if the patient does not show significant improvement with psychotherapy alone, I would consider prescribing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as sertraline. SSRIs are recommended as first-line pharmacotherapy for various anxiety disorders (Baldwin et al., 2014). This decision is supported by the patient’s persistent symptoms and functional impairment.

I did not select benzodiazepines or buspirone in this scenario because of concerns about the potential for dependence, abuse, and adverse effects associated with benzodiazepines. Buspirone, while an option, is generally considered second-line for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (Baldwin et al., 2014).

The goal of Decision #2 is to enhance treatment effectiveness by introducing a medication that targets anxiety symptoms, particularly if psychotherapy alone is insufficient. Ethically, informed consent and thorough education about potential side effects and risks are essential in the decision-making process.

Decision #3

In Decision #3, if the patient’s symptoms do not improve with sertraline, I would consider augmenting the treatment with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in addition to medication. Combining medication with psychotherapy has been shown to be more effective than either treatment alone in the management of anxiety disorders (Hofmann et al., 2012).

I did not select switching to another SSRI or adding a benzodiazepine because augmentation with CBT aligns with the principle of optimizing treatment strategies before considering changes in medication. Adding another SSRI may not necessarily result in better outcomes, and benzodiazepines have potential drawbacks.

The goal of Decision #3 is to maximize treatment response and address any residual symptoms through a multimodal approach. Ethically, it emphasizes the importance of providing comprehensive care that integrates evidence-based treatments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the treatment plan for the middle-aged Caucasian man with anxiety involves a stepped-care approach. Starting with psychotherapy (CBT), followed by the addition of sertraline if needed, and eventually augmenting with CBT represents a comprehensive and patient-centered strategy. This approach considers the patient’s specific clinical presentation, preferences, and ethical principles while striving for optimal treatment outcomes.