ATI CASE STUDIES: NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
FOR VARIOUS PATIENT SCENARIOS 2025
Key Terms/Concepts
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): A mental health condition
characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about various
aspects of life.
Panic Attack: A sudden episode of intense fear or anxiety that
triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or
apparent cause.
Palliative Care: Specialized medical care focused on providing
relief from symptoms and stress of a serious illness, aiming to
improve quality of life.
Key Medications
Medication Indication/Use
Escitalopram Used to treat generalized anxiety disorder.
Alprazolam A benzodiazepine used for anxiety relief.
Furosemide A diuretic used to treat fluid overload in heart failure.
Used to reduce secretions and manage symptoms in end-
Scopolamine
of-life care.
Key Nursing Actions
For Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Monitor for suicidal thoughts
and provide high-calorie fluids during panic levels of anxiety.
For Chronic Kidney Disease: Contact the provider when a patient
wishes to discontinue treatment.
For Language Barriers: Obtain an interpreter to ensure effective
communication.
Key Assessment Techniques
Assessing Pain: Ask the client to rate pain on a scale from 0 to 10
and describe the quality of the pain.
Evaluating Mental Status: Use assertive communication to
express concerns about changes in a client's mental status.
Key Communication Techniques
, SBAR: A structured method for communicating critical
information that requires immediate attention and action. It stands
for Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation.
Facts to Memorize
Escitalopram is an SSRI used for generalized anxiety disorder.
Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine used for anxiety disorders.
Furosemide is a loop diuretic used for fluid overload in heart
failure.
Scopolamine is used to manage secretions in end-of-life care.
Reference Information
Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms include excessive worry,
restlessness, and fatigue.
Panic attacks can include symptoms like palpitations, sweating,
and feelings of impending doom.
Palliative care focuses on quality of life and symptom
management.
Concept Comparisons
Concept Description Key Differences
Generalized A chronic condition Symptoms are persistent
Anxiety characterized by excessive and can affect daily
Disorder worry about various aspects. functioning.
Panic attacks are sudden
Characterized by recurrent,
Panic Disorder and intense, often with
unexpected panic attacks.
physical symptoms.
Care aimed at providing Focuses on quality of life
Palliative Care relief from symptoms and rather than curative
stress of serious illness. treatment.
Pharmacological Management of Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Escitalopram
FOR VARIOUS PATIENT SCENARIOS 2025
Key Terms/Concepts
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): A mental health condition
characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about various
aspects of life.
Panic Attack: A sudden episode of intense fear or anxiety that
triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or
apparent cause.
Palliative Care: Specialized medical care focused on providing
relief from symptoms and stress of a serious illness, aiming to
improve quality of life.
Key Medications
Medication Indication/Use
Escitalopram Used to treat generalized anxiety disorder.
Alprazolam A benzodiazepine used for anxiety relief.
Furosemide A diuretic used to treat fluid overload in heart failure.
Used to reduce secretions and manage symptoms in end-
Scopolamine
of-life care.
Key Nursing Actions
For Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Monitor for suicidal thoughts
and provide high-calorie fluids during panic levels of anxiety.
For Chronic Kidney Disease: Contact the provider when a patient
wishes to discontinue treatment.
For Language Barriers: Obtain an interpreter to ensure effective
communication.
Key Assessment Techniques
Assessing Pain: Ask the client to rate pain on a scale from 0 to 10
and describe the quality of the pain.
Evaluating Mental Status: Use assertive communication to
express concerns about changes in a client's mental status.
Key Communication Techniques
, SBAR: A structured method for communicating critical
information that requires immediate attention and action. It stands
for Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation.
Facts to Memorize
Escitalopram is an SSRI used for generalized anxiety disorder.
Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine used for anxiety disorders.
Furosemide is a loop diuretic used for fluid overload in heart
failure.
Scopolamine is used to manage secretions in end-of-life care.
Reference Information
Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms include excessive worry,
restlessness, and fatigue.
Panic attacks can include symptoms like palpitations, sweating,
and feelings of impending doom.
Palliative care focuses on quality of life and symptom
management.
Concept Comparisons
Concept Description Key Differences
Generalized A chronic condition Symptoms are persistent
Anxiety characterized by excessive and can affect daily
Disorder worry about various aspects. functioning.
Panic attacks are sudden
Characterized by recurrent,
Panic Disorder and intense, often with
unexpected panic attacks.
physical symptoms.
Care aimed at providing Focuses on quality of life
Palliative Care relief from symptoms and rather than curative
stress of serious illness. treatment.
Pharmacological Management of Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Escitalopram
