Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

Why is it important to assess sleep disturbances in patients with panic disorder?

1. Improves sleep hygiene

2. Increases the risk of further panic attacks

3. Enhances medication absorption

4. Reduces physiological symptoms

The correct answer is: Increases the risk of further panic attacks

Assessing sleep disturbances in patients with panic disorder is particularly important because sleep issues can significantly increase the risk of subsequent panic attacks. When individuals with panic disorder experience poor sleep, it can exacerbate their anxiety and stress levels, making them more vulnerable to panic symptoms. Sleep deprivation can lead to heightened emotional reactivity, difficulty in managing anxiety, and reduced ability to cope with stressors, all of which are crucial factors that can trigger panic attacks. Therefore, understanding and addressing these sleep disturbances can help mitigate one of the contributing factors to the cycle of panic disorder, ultimately leading to better management of the condition. The other aspects, while relevant to general mental health and wellness, do not directly address the relationship between sleep disturbances and panic attacks. Improving sleep hygiene, for instance, is beneficial but not specifically linked to preventing panic. Enhancing medication absorption is not typically influenced by sleep quality in the context of panic disorder. Reducing physiological symptoms might be an outcome of better sleep, but it does not specifically connect to the risk of panic attacks as directly as the increased vulnerability produced by sleep disturbances does.