A client with PTSD is experiencing alterations in arousal and reactivity. Which nursing intervention would be most appropriate for this symptom cluster?

Assisting the client in identifying and challenging negative thoughts.

Encouraging the client to discuss their traumatic experience in detail.

Teaching the client grounding techniques to manage anxiety.

Providing the client with a list of community resources for support.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

The answer is choice C

Choice A rationale:

Assisting the client in identifying and challenging negative thoughts might be more appropriate for addressing cognitive distortions in conditions like depression or anxiety disorders, but it might not directly address the alterations in arousal and reactivity characteristic of PTSD.

Choice B rationale:

Encouraging the client to discuss their traumatic experience in detail could potentially trigger retraumatization and exacerbate the symptoms. Exposure therapy, which involves discussing the trauma, is generally done in a controlled and gradual manner under the guidance of a therapist.

Choice C rationale:

Teaching the client grounding techniques to manage anxiety is the most appropriate option. Grounding techniques help individuals stay connected to the present moment, reduce feelings of detachment, and manage anxiety. Techniques might include deep breathing, mindfulness, or using sensory cues to anchor oneself.

Choice D rationale:

Providing the client with a list of community resources for support is important, but it does not directly address the specific symptom cluster of alterations in arousal and reactivity. This intervention might be more relevant for overall support and coping, but not for managing the specific symptoms mentioned.

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Correct Answer is ["A","C","D"]

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Traumatic events can involve serious injuries. This choice accurately reflects that traumatic events can encompass a wide range of situations that result in physical harm, such as accidents, violence, or medical emergencies. These events can lead to significant injuries and medical consequences.

Choice C rationale:

Traumatic events can lead to mental disorders. This choice is correct because traumatic experiences can indeed trigger the development of mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety disorders, and more. The emotional impact of trauma can have lasting effects on a person's psychological well-being.

Choice D rationale:

Traumatic events can have long-lasting consequences. This choice is accurate as traumatic events can leave enduring impacts on individuals, affecting their mental, emotional, and physical well-being over an extended period. These consequences can range from chronic psychological distress to changes in behavior and relationships. Now, let's address the incorrect choices:

Choice B rationale:

Traumatic events only include natural disasters. This choice is incorrect because traumatic events are not limited to natural disasters alone. Trauma can result from various experiences, including accidents, violence, abuse, and more. Natural disasters are just one category of traumatic events.

Choice E rationale:

Traumatic events only affect certain age groups. This choice is also incorrect. Traumatic events can affect people of all ages, from children to the elderly. The impact of trauma is not restricted by age; it can influence anyone who experiences or witnesses a distressing event.

A. "I've been feeling really detached from everyone lately.” B. "I keep having nightmares about the accident.” C. "I can't seem to stop thinking about what happened.” D. "I've been feeling very irritable and on edge.”

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

"I keep having nightmares about the accident."

Choice A rationale:

Feeling detached from others is a characteristic of the numbing/avoidance cluster of PTSD symptoms, not intrusion symptoms.

Choice C rationale:

Involuntary, distressing thoughts about the traumatic event are indicative of intrusion symptoms, which are encapsulated by Choice B.

Choice D rationale:

Feeling irritable and on edge falls under the hyperarousal symptom category. Choice B, the correct choice, relates to nightmares about the traumatic incident, a classic intrusion symptom. These nightmares can re-traumatize the individual, making sleep challenging and contributing to the overall distress associated with PTSD.

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A client with PTSD is experiencing alterations in arousal and reactivity. Which nursing intervention would be most appropriate for this symptom cluster?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is educating a group of individuals about trauma and its effects. Which of the following statements accurately describe traumatic events? Select all that apply.

Correct Answer is ["A","C","D"]

Explanation

A nurse is assessing a client for potential PTSD symptoms. Which statement by the client indicates they are experiencing intrusion symptoms?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is assessing a client who experienced a traumatic event one week ago. The client is unable to remember important aspects of the event and reports feeling detached from their surroundings. Which symptom is the nurse observing in this client?

A nurse is planning care for a client with PTSD. Which intervention is appropriate for addressing avoidance symptoms?

(Select all that apply): A nurse is conducting an assessment of a client with acute stress disorder (ASD). Which physical signs might the nurse find in the client?

A client who experienced a traumatic event presents with physical symptoms such as headaches and chronic pain. These symptoms can be attributed to which clinical manifestation of PTSD?

A nurse is providing care to a client with PTSD. The client avoids going to the site where the traumatic event occurred. This behavior is an example of which symptom cluster of PTSD?

A nurse is caring for a client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The client states, "I keep having nightmares about the accident and I can't get them out of my head." This statement is an example of which symptom cluster of PTSD?

A nurse is assessing a client who has experienced a traumatic event. Which of the following would be considered a traumatic event according to the text?

A client with PTSD is experiencing alterations in arousal and reactivity. Which nursing intervention would be most appropriate for this symptom cluster?