A male patient with a diagnosis of panic disorder suddenly begins to cry and hyperventilate, while yelling, "This is terrible! Nothing is right!" The first therapeutic action is to

A patient with a panic disorder can have sudden attacks of fear and anxiety, which include physical symptoms: tachycardia, sweating, and rapid breathing, Hyperventilation can lead to respiratory alkalosis, which can increase anxiety. Assist the patient to do deep breathing, which is calming and restores normal respirations. Medication such as diazepam or lorazepam are useful, but not the priority. After the patient has improved, other interventions can be appropriate.