Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

Clients often believe they are experiencing which condition during a panic attack?

1. Diabetic shock

2. Migraine headaches

3. Heart attack

4. Panic disorder

The correct answer is: Heart attack

During a panic attack, clients often misinterpret their symptoms as indicative of a heart attack due to the intense physical sensations experienced. These sensations may include chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, and a feeling of impending doom. Many individuals describe feelings of tightness or pressure in the chest, similar to what one might experience during a heart attack, which can lead to confusion and significant fear. The physiological responses during a panic attack arise from the body’s fight-or-flight response, causing an influx of adrenaline, which can mimic cardiac symptoms. Understanding this misinterpretation is crucial in nursing practice, as it emphasizes the importance of providing reassurance and appropriate interventions to help the individual realize that they are experiencing a panic attack rather than a heart attack. Conversely, the other options such as diabetic shock, migraine headaches, and panic disorder do not encompass the specific concern and fear that clients typically associate with the acute and overwhelming nature of a heart attack during a panic attack. These conditions have distinct symptoms and implications that do not resemble the immediate physical sensations of a panic attack as closely as those of a heart attack do.