NURS 373 EXAM 2 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | NURS 373
STUDY GUIDE & PRACTICE TEST 2026/2027
What is the difference between stress, anxiety, and fear? - ANS ✔✔Stress is an external pressure, anxiety
is a subjective emotional response to a stressor, and fear is an emotional response to a perceived threat.
What characterizes normal anxiety? - ANS ✔✔Normal anxiety is a reaction to realistic danger, provides
motivation, and dissipates when the threat is removed.
What defines an anxiety disorder? - ANS ✔✔Anxiety disorders involve excessive and persistent anxiety
or fear that interferes with daily functioning.
What is hypochondriasis? - ANS ✔✔Hypochondriasis, or illness anxiety disorder, is a chronic fear of
having a serious illness despite few or no symptoms.
What is conversion disorder? - ANS ✔✔Conversion disorder affects how the brain processes messages,
resulting in physical symptoms like seizures or muscle weakness.
What is dissociative identity disorder (DID)? - ANS ✔✔DID involves two or more distinct personality
states that control an individual's behavior, often due to severe trauma.
What are common symptoms of anxiety disorders? - ANS ✔✔Symptoms include excessive worry,
restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances.
What is the role of the hippocampus in anxiety? - ANS ✔✔The hippocampus strengthens or exaggerates
fearful memories.
What neurotransmitter is associated with increased anxiety? - ANS ✔✔Decreased GABA levels are
associated with increased anxiety and nervousness.
What are the diagnostic criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)? - ANS ✔✔Excessive anxiety and
worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, with difficulty controlling the worry and
associated with three or more symptoms.
What are the key symptoms of panic disorder? - ANS ✔✔Key symptoms include palpitations, shortness
of breath, chest pain, fear of dying, and derealization.
How does the onset of panic disorder differ from GAD? - ANS ✔✔Panic disorder has a sudden,
unexpected onset, while GAD has a gradual, persistent onset.
What nursing interventions are effective for anxiety disorders? - ANS ✔✔Interventions include safety
measures, relaxation techniques, deep breathing exercises, meditation, and cognitive restructuring.
What is the function of the locus ceruleus in anxiety? - ANS ✔✔The locus ceruleus is involved in the fight
or flight response.
, What impact does serotonin have on anxiety? - ANS ✔✔Decreased serotonin levels can lead to
increased feelings of worry and emotional instability.
What is the significance of the hypothalamus in anxiety? - ANS ✔✔The hypothalamus activates stress
hormones, including cortisol.
What is the relationship between anxiety and cognitive theory? - ANS ✔✔Cognitive theory suggests that
anxiety is maintained by faulty thinking patterns and irrational appraisals of situations.
What are the effects of norepinephrine on anxiety? - ANS ✔✔Increased norepinephrine can lead to
elevated heart rate, sweating, and tremors.
What is the role of the frontal cortex in anxiety disorders? - ANS ✔✔The frontal cortex is associated with
excessive worry and distorted cognitive interpretations.
What is the duration of symptoms required for GAD diagnosis? - ANS ✔✔Symptoms must be present for
most days for at least 6 months.
What is the difference in fear nature between panic disorder and GAD? - ANS ✔✔Panic disorder involves
intense terror and impending doom, while GAD involves chronic, unrealistic worry.
What are adaptation responses to anxiety? - ANS ✔✔Adaptation responses can include both
psychological and physiological reactions to manage anxiety.
What is the significance of muscle tension in anxiety disorders? - ANS ✔✔Muscle tension is a common
symptom associated with anxiety and can lead to physical discomfort.
What is the impact of sleep disturbances in anxiety disorders? - ANS ✔✔Sleep disturbances can
exacerbate anxiety symptoms and affect overall functioning.
What is the primary goal of problem-solving skills in anxiety management? - ANS ✔✔To assist in
developing concrete plans to address worries rather than procrastination or seeking reassurance.
What strategies are included in sleep hygiene for anxiety management? - ANS ✔✔Self-management
strategies such as maintaining sleep schedules and calming bedtime routines.
What neurotransmitter is associated with high levels of norepinephrine (NE) in anxiety? - ANS
✔✔Norepinephrine (NE) is linked to symptoms like rapid heart rate, sweating, and increased blood
pressure.
What are the effects of low serotonin levels in anxiety disorders? - ANS ✔✔Increased feelings of worry
and fear, emotional instability, poor mood regulation, and intrusive thoughts.
What symptoms are associated with low GABA levels? - ANS ✔✔Increased overall anxiety, difficulty
relaxing, heightened excitability, and frequent panic attacks.
STUDY GUIDE & PRACTICE TEST 2026/2027
What is the difference between stress, anxiety, and fear? - ANS ✔✔Stress is an external pressure, anxiety
is a subjective emotional response to a stressor, and fear is an emotional response to a perceived threat.
What characterizes normal anxiety? - ANS ✔✔Normal anxiety is a reaction to realistic danger, provides
motivation, and dissipates when the threat is removed.
What defines an anxiety disorder? - ANS ✔✔Anxiety disorders involve excessive and persistent anxiety
or fear that interferes with daily functioning.
What is hypochondriasis? - ANS ✔✔Hypochondriasis, or illness anxiety disorder, is a chronic fear of
having a serious illness despite few or no symptoms.
What is conversion disorder? - ANS ✔✔Conversion disorder affects how the brain processes messages,
resulting in physical symptoms like seizures or muscle weakness.
What is dissociative identity disorder (DID)? - ANS ✔✔DID involves two or more distinct personality
states that control an individual's behavior, often due to severe trauma.
What are common symptoms of anxiety disorders? - ANS ✔✔Symptoms include excessive worry,
restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances.
What is the role of the hippocampus in anxiety? - ANS ✔✔The hippocampus strengthens or exaggerates
fearful memories.
What neurotransmitter is associated with increased anxiety? - ANS ✔✔Decreased GABA levels are
associated with increased anxiety and nervousness.
What are the diagnostic criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)? - ANS ✔✔Excessive anxiety and
worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, with difficulty controlling the worry and
associated with three or more symptoms.
What are the key symptoms of panic disorder? - ANS ✔✔Key symptoms include palpitations, shortness
of breath, chest pain, fear of dying, and derealization.
How does the onset of panic disorder differ from GAD? - ANS ✔✔Panic disorder has a sudden,
unexpected onset, while GAD has a gradual, persistent onset.
What nursing interventions are effective for anxiety disorders? - ANS ✔✔Interventions include safety
measures, relaxation techniques, deep breathing exercises, meditation, and cognitive restructuring.
What is the function of the locus ceruleus in anxiety? - ANS ✔✔The locus ceruleus is involved in the fight
or flight response.
, What impact does serotonin have on anxiety? - ANS ✔✔Decreased serotonin levels can lead to
increased feelings of worry and emotional instability.
What is the significance of the hypothalamus in anxiety? - ANS ✔✔The hypothalamus activates stress
hormones, including cortisol.
What is the relationship between anxiety and cognitive theory? - ANS ✔✔Cognitive theory suggests that
anxiety is maintained by faulty thinking patterns and irrational appraisals of situations.
What are the effects of norepinephrine on anxiety? - ANS ✔✔Increased norepinephrine can lead to
elevated heart rate, sweating, and tremors.
What is the role of the frontal cortex in anxiety disorders? - ANS ✔✔The frontal cortex is associated with
excessive worry and distorted cognitive interpretations.
What is the duration of symptoms required for GAD diagnosis? - ANS ✔✔Symptoms must be present for
most days for at least 6 months.
What is the difference in fear nature between panic disorder and GAD? - ANS ✔✔Panic disorder involves
intense terror and impending doom, while GAD involves chronic, unrealistic worry.
What are adaptation responses to anxiety? - ANS ✔✔Adaptation responses can include both
psychological and physiological reactions to manage anxiety.
What is the significance of muscle tension in anxiety disorders? - ANS ✔✔Muscle tension is a common
symptom associated with anxiety and can lead to physical discomfort.
What is the impact of sleep disturbances in anxiety disorders? - ANS ✔✔Sleep disturbances can
exacerbate anxiety symptoms and affect overall functioning.
What is the primary goal of problem-solving skills in anxiety management? - ANS ✔✔To assist in
developing concrete plans to address worries rather than procrastination or seeking reassurance.
What strategies are included in sleep hygiene for anxiety management? - ANS ✔✔Self-management
strategies such as maintaining sleep schedules and calming bedtime routines.
What neurotransmitter is associated with high levels of norepinephrine (NE) in anxiety? - ANS
✔✔Norepinephrine (NE) is linked to symptoms like rapid heart rate, sweating, and increased blood
pressure.
What are the effects of low serotonin levels in anxiety disorders? - ANS ✔✔Increased feelings of worry
and fear, emotional instability, poor mood regulation, and intrusive thoughts.
What symptoms are associated with low GABA levels? - ANS ✔✔Increased overall anxiety, difficulty
relaxing, heightened excitability, and frequent panic attacks.
