What vital sign changes are commonly associated with anxiety?

Anxiety is known to trigger a physiological response in the body, often referred to as the "fight or flight" response. When a person experiences anxiety, the body's sympathetic nervous system is activated, leading to several changes in vital signs. An increased heart rate, also known as tachycardia, is a common response as the body prepares for perceived threats, causing the heart to pump more blood to vital organs and muscles. Along with this, blood pressure often rises due to the increased cardiac output and vasoconstriction, further preparing the body to respond to stress.

The other options do not reflect the typical physiological response seen during anxiety. Body temperature is usually not decreased during anxiety; instead, individuals may experience sweating or a feeling of warmth due to increased metabolic activity. The respiratory rate generally increases rather than decreases, driven by the need for more oxygen during heightened alertness and activity. While an irregular heartbeat can occur in some situations, it is not as consistently associated with anxiety as the noted increases in heart rate and blood pressure. Hence, the choice that highlights the increase in heart rate and blood pressure is the most accurate representation of changes seen during episodes of anxiety.