Final answer:
A nurse can expect to observe hypervigilance in a client with generalized anxiety disorder experiencing moderate anxiety. Other options such as euphoria, slurred speech, and a slow heart rate are not typical manifestations of anxiety. Research supports that anxiety is often accompanied by physiological changes such as an increased heart rate, aligning with the symptom of hypervigilance.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assessing a client who has generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and is experiencing a moderate level of anxiety, a nurse can expect to observe specific manifestations related to the condition. Among the options provided, hypervigilance is the manifestation most consistent with a moderate level of anxiety. Patients with generalized anxiety disorder often display signs of being excessively watchful or on high alert, which is characteristic of hypervigilance. Manifestations such as euphoria, slurred speech, and a slow heart rate are not typically associated with moderate anxiety in GAD; rather, euphoria might be incongruent with anxiety altogether, slurred speech may indicate intoxication or a neurological issue, and a slow heart rate is generally not a feature of anxiety, as anxiety can cause an increased heart rate due to activation of the sympathetic nervous system.
Research outlined in the Archives of General Psychiatry also indicates the link between generalized anxiety disorder and cardiovascular events, suggesting that anxiety can lead to physiological changes such as an increased heart rate. Patient B's symptoms, including increased heart rate, are in line with the physiological responses one might expect in someone experiencing anxiety. Furthermore, common symptoms associated with anxiety disorders include agitation, sleep problems, and abnormal heart rhythms—also aligning with the symptom of hypervigilance during a moderate anxiety state.