A client is diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which symptom is characteristic of PTSD?
Elevated mood.
Avoidance of stimuli related to the traumatic event.
Reduced anxiety.
Excessive energy.
Compulsive behaviors.
The Correct Answer is B
Avoidance of stimuli related to the traumatic event.
Choice A rationale:
Elevated mood is not a characteristic symptom of PTSD. Individuals with PTSD often experience mood disturbances such as depression, irritability, and hypervigilance, but elevated mood is not a defining feature.
Choice B rationale:
Avoidance of stimuli related to the traumatic event is a hallmark symptom of PTSD. Individuals with PTSD actively avoid reminders, situations, or people that trigger memories of the traumatic event. This avoidance behavior helps them cope with distressing memories and emotions associated with the trauma.
Choice C rationale:
Reduced anxiety is not typically associated with PTSD. In fact, individuals with PTSD often experience heightened anxiety, hyperarousal, and exaggerated startle responses due to their trauma-related symptoms.
Choice D rationale:
Excessive energy is not a primary symptom of PTSD. Individuals with PTSD commonly experience symptoms of emotional numbing, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, which are contrary to the idea of excessive energy.
Choice E rationale:
Compulsive behaviors are not a defining characteristic of PTSD. While individuals with PTSD may develop certain rituals or behaviors as a way to manage anxiety or distress, compulsions are more characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) rather than PTSD.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Presence of delusions. Delusions are false beliefs that are not based in reality and are more commonly associated with psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. Anxiety disorders primarily involve excessive fear or worry, not delusional thinking.
Choice B rationale:
Excessive fear or worry. This is the primary characteristic of anxiety disorders. Individuals with anxiety disorders experience intense and persistent fear or worry that is out of proportion to the actual threat or situation. This heightened anxiety can significantly impact their daily functioning.
Choice C rationale:
Hallucinations. Hallucinations involve perceiving sensory experiences that are not actually present, such as hearing voices or seeing things that others cannot see. Hallucinations are more typical of psychotic disorders and are not a primary characteristic of anxiety disorders.
Choice D rationale:
Impaired social skills. While individuals with anxiety disorders might experience impaired social interactions due to their anxiety symptoms, impaired social skills are not the primary characteristic of anxiety disorders. The key feature is excessive fear or worry.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
"You're experiencing excessive and persistent worry that's hard to control, right?" This statement accurately reflects the nature of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life, even when there is no apparent reason for concern.
Choice B rationale:
"I understand that you're having panic attacks followed by persistent concern." This statement describes panic disorder, where panic attacks are followed by worry about having more panic attacks or their consequences.
Choice C rationale:
"Your fear of specific objects or situations is leading to avoidance behavior, correct?" This statement is more aligned with specific phobias, where individuals experience intense fear and go to great lengths to avoid the specific trigger.
Choice D rationale:
"It sounds like you're dealing with recurrent intrusive thoughts and behaviors." This description is characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), not generalized anxiety disorder. OCD involves intrusive thoughts and the need to perform compulsive behaviors to alleviate distress.
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