Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Reducing State Anxiety Using Working Memory Maintenance
08:17

Reducing State Anxiety Using Working Memory Maintenance

Published on: July 19, 2017

The relationship of anxiety to development of postoperative delirium

A M Bowman

    Journal of Gerontological Nursing
    |January 1, 1992
    PubMed

    1. Although patients who experience unplanned, unanticipated surgery were not more anxiety prone than patients undergoing planned surgery, they did experience higher levels of state anxiety and a higher incidence of delirium postoperatively. 2. Nurses should be alert to an increased risk of negative outcomes among patients with little or no opportunity for psychological preparation prior to surgery, and especially among patients undergoing unanticipated orthopedic surgery. 3. State anxiety scores among patients undergoing unplanned surgery declined postoperatively rather than rose. This indicates that the critical period for nursing intervention may be in the preoperative period. 4. Delirium is not associated with anxiety in a direct or linear way. Patients who experience delirium postoperatively do not experience greater state anxiety, nor are they more anxiety prone than patients who do not exhibit delirium.

    Related Concept Videos

    Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood03:34

    Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood

    Attachment is a long-standing connection or bond with others. While Attachment Theory was conceived in developmental psychology to describe infant-caregiver bonding, it's been extended into adulthood to include romantic relationships.
    Stages of General Anesthesia01:22

    Stages of General Anesthesia

    Various sedation levels offer significant advantages in facilitating procedural interventions for patients undergoing medical or invasive surgical procedures. These levels span from anxiolysis to general anesthesia, providing a spectrum of sedative effects to cater to specific patient needs. Anxiolysis reduces anxiety and is achieved through minimal sedation, enabling patients to remain awake and responsive while feeling more at ease during the procedure. This level can benefit minor...
    Anxiety: Overview01:18

    Anxiety: Overview

    Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
    Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
    Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone01:29

    Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone

    Benzodiazepines are a class of anxiolytic drugs known for their rapid efficacy and high therapeutic-to-lethal dose ratio, but with a potential risk of drug dependence. These drugs are lipophilic, allowing for rapid absorption after oral administration, eventually reaching the central nervous system (CNS). Once in the CNS, benzodiazepines bind to the allosteric site of the GABAA receptor. This binding enhances the inhibitory effects of the neurotransmitter GABA. By doing so, they prevent...
    Generalized Anxiety Disorder01:30

    Generalized Anxiety Disorder

    Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry that persists for at least six months, significantly interfering with daily functioning. Unlike situational anxiety, which arises in response to specific stressors, GAD often occurs without a clear cause. Individuals may experience disproportionate worry about work, health, or relationships. For instance, a person might continuously fear poor health despite normal medical evaluations or...
    Social Anxiety Disorder01:28

    Social Anxiety Disorder

    Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.