Early clinical observations of guilt or anxiety are an essential
component of nursing care (Chart 7-7). A high level of anxiety in
a patient will probably exacerbate physiologic distress. For example,
a postoperative patient who is in pain may discover that anxiety
intensifies the sensation of pain. A patient newly diagnosed
with type 1 diabetes mellitus may be worried and fearful and
therefore unable to focus on or complete essential self-care activities.
The possibility of developing somatic symptoms is high in
any patient who is experiencing moderate to severe anxiety.