A nurse is caring for a client who witnessed her brother's homicide and has posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
The client talks constantly about the traumatic experience.
The client is constantly drowsy and sleeps 11-12 hr daily.
The client reports satisfying personal relationships with family and close friends.
The client is easily startled by loud voices.
The Correct Answer is D
The client is easily startled by loud voices. Clients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may exhibit hyperarousal symptoms, including exaggerated startle responses and hypervigilance. The client talking constantly about the traumatic experience is a possible finding in PTSD but not specific. The client is constantly drowsy and sleeping 11-12 hours daily is more associated with depression than PTSD. While the client may have satisfying personal relationships, it does not address the question of what finding to expect with PTSD, making choice C incorrect.
Reasons why the other choices are not answers:
Choice A, the client talking constantly about the traumatic experience, is a possible symptom of PTSD, but it is not specific to the disorder and may also indicate other disorders.
Choice B, the client being constantly drowsy and sleeping 11-12 hours daily, is more indicative of depression than PTSD and also does not address the question of finding expected with PTSD.
Choice C, the client reports satisfying personal relationships with family and close friends, does not address what finding is expected with PTSD, making it an incorrect answer.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A therapeutic response to the client's statement would be to acknowledge that the client feels helpless about the behavior. The nurse should avoid judging or criticizing the client and instead focus on offering support and empathy.
Options A and B are not therapeutic because they are confrontational and may make the client defensive. Option C is a well-intentioned but empty statement that does not offer any practical support or guidance to the client.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
When a client is experiencing alcohol withdrawal, seizures are a common finding. Benzodiazepines are the preferred medications for alcohol withdrawal, and they are used to prevent seizures and treat symptoms of anxiety, agitation, and autonomic hyperactivity. Stuporous level of consciousness (Choice A), pathological changes on a CT scan (Choice C), and bradycardia (Choice D) are unlikely findings in a client experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Stuporous level of consciousness is more indicative of acute brain dysfunction or coma. CT scan findings may indicate structural brain injury, such as a brain tumor or stroke. Bradycardia is not a common finding in alcohol withdrawal but may occur in severe cases. However, tachycardia is a more common finding.
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