Anxiety During Stressful Medical Procedures Flashcards
Why are medical procedures inherently threatening?
Huge amount of uncertainty
Give some examples of why patients are anxious during medical procedures
Fear of waking up during surgery Pain Life-threatening procedures Outcomes Disfigurement Loss of independence Away from home
What is the impact of anxiety pre-op on post-op outcomes?
More pain Need more analgesia Longer hospital stay More complications Anxiety and depression
How does anxiety affect communication around surgeries?
Anxious patients less likely to understand info they are told
How does anxiety affect adherence to treatment?
Less likely to comply with:
- Coughing and breathing exercises to reduce pneumonia
- Mobility which reduces phlebitis and enhances wound healing
How can healthcare providers help patients with anxiety?
Conselling Procedural info Behaviour instruction Cognitive coping Sensory information Modelling
What are the benefits of procedural info and cognitive coping prep before surgery?
Earlier discharge
Less pain relief post-op
Better coping
Lower rates of hypertension
How did patients who were in a room with a post-op patient who had same surgery pre-op compare to those with another pre-op patient?
Released quicker
Less anxious post-op
More ambulatory post-op
What info can be given to patients before endoscopy?
Description of procedure
Teaching of technique to facilitate tube
How did coping info and behaviour instructions impact on patients recieving endoscopy?
Reduced distress
Less time required to pass tube
What is ANV?
Repeated chemotherapy ca cause patients to get Anticipatory Nausea and Vomiting which may lead to patients discontinuing treatment
What are monitors?
Patients who cope by seeking out detailed information
What are blunters?
Patients who cope by using avoidance to minimise the situation
What response do monitors and blunters have to high info before procedure?
Monitors had reduced HR after examination
Blunters had increased HR after examination
What are 2 explanations for how psychological preparation promotes recovery?
Psychological prep reduces stress and SNS arousal which improves patients immunological responses
Preparation reduces frequency and extent of maladaptive behaviours that an underpreped patient can engage in e.g. not doing breathing exercises
