A 45-year-old woman presents to the ER after witnessing a car accident. She appears anxious and confused, unable to provide details about the event. As her nurse, your first action should be to:

Choice A reason: Regular therapy, like CBT, addresses depression and anxiety by processing trauma. Scientifically, therapy modulates amygdala activity and cortisol levels, reducing hyperarousal from sexual violence. This fosters emotional regulation, helping patients reframe negative thoughts and build resilience, supporting long-term recovery from trauma-related disorders.

Choice B reason: Effective coping strategies, like mindfulness, reduce depression and anxiety symptoms. Scientifically, these techniques lower cortisol and stabilize autonomic responses, countering trauma-induced hyperarousal. This empowers patients to manage triggers, improving psychological resilience and preventing relapse of trauma-related symptoms, supporting mental health recovery.

Choice C reason: Improved sleep patterns are critical, as trauma disrupts circadian rhythms, increasing cortisol and worsening depression. Scientifically, better sleep stabilizes serotonin and melatonin, enhancing mood regulation. This reduces anxiety-driven insomnia, supporting neurobiological recovery and improving overall mental health outcomes for sexual violence survivors.

Choice D reason: Verbalizing safety reflects reduced fear and trauma-related hyperarousal. Scientifically, feeling safe lowers amygdala activity and cortisol, stabilizing emotional responses. This outcome indicates successful trauma processing, enhancing psychological resilience and reducing anxiety or depression symptoms, critical for recovery from sexual violence’s impact.

Choice A reason: Re-evaluating the treatment plan addresses worsening PTSD symptoms by assessing intervention efficacy. PTSD involves heightened amygdala activity and cortisol dysregulation. Scientifically, adjusting therapy or medication based on symptom progression ensures targeted management of neurobiological changes, reducing hyperarousal and improving emotional regulation for effective trauma recovery.

Choice B reason: Increasing medication dosage without assessment risks adverse effects. PTSD medications, like SSRIs, require careful titration based on symptom severity. Scientifically, unguided increases may disrupt neurotransmitter balance, potentially worsening symptoms or causing side effects like agitation, without addressing specific trauma-related triggers or psychological needs.

Choice C reason: Frequent follow-ups monitor PTSD symptom progression, ensuring timely interventions. Scientifically, regular assessments track amygdala-driven hyperarousal and cortisol levels, allowing adjustments to therapy or medication. This supports psychological stability, reduces relapse risk, and ensures ongoing care aligns with the patient’s evolving trauma-related needs.

Choice D reason: Referring to a trauma therapist provides specialized interventions, like EMDR, tailored to PTSD. These therapies target trauma-related neural pathways, reducing intrusive memories and hyperarousal. Scientifically, expert care addresses complex psychological trauma, improving emotional regulation and recovery by processing traumatic memories in a controlled, therapeutic environment.

Choice E reason: Avoiding triggers minimizes acute PTSD symptoms, like flashbacks, by reducing amygdala activation. Scientifically, trigger avoidance stabilizes emotional responses, preventing stress-induced cortisol spikes that exacerbate PTSD. This supports immediate psychological safety, allowing patients to engage in therapy more effectively while managing trauma-related hyperarousal.