Case Study: Anxiety

A 19-year-old woman, Jane, is being seen by a registered nurse in the emergency department for increased generalized pain. She explains that she has multiple physical symptoms that have suddenly developed over the last year. For example, she complains of increased abdominal discomfort and notes that it is diffuse and not responsive to medication. As the RN continues to do the assessment, she learns that Jane’s family and best friend live in Utah. Since starting college, Jane only speaks with her family on a weekly basis. When the RN explores the patient’s increase in pain, Jane brings some of the difficulties since starting college. Janes replies: “I don’t know if that has anything to do with it. I am just always nervous and anxious”.