A nurse is providing care for a client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Which nursing intervention should the nurse implement?

The correct answer is Choice A, Choice B, Choice D.

Choice A rationale: Promoting self-care and healthy lifestyle habits is essential for clients with PTSD. It helps improve overall well-being, reduces stress, and enhances the effectiveness of other therapeutic interventions, contributing to a more comprehensive treatment approach.

Choice B rationale: Teaching the client relaxation techniques is crucial for managing PTSD symptoms. Techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness can help reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and provide coping mechanisms during stressful situations.

Choice C rationale: Assisting the client in avoiding triggers and symptoms is not typically recommended for PTSD management. Avoidance can reinforce fear and hinder the healing process. Instead, clients are encouraged to gradually face and process their triggers with appropriate support.

Choice D rationale: Facilitating exposure therapy is a key intervention for PTSD. It involves safely and gradually exposing the client to trauma-related stimuli, helping them process traumatic memories, reduce avoidance behaviors, and diminish the emotional impact of the trauma over time.

Choice A rationale:

Prolonged exposure (PE) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that involves confronting and processing traumatic memories. While it is effective for many individuals with PTSD, its effectiveness in reducing symptoms by 50% to 80% in most clients after 8 to 16 sessions is not as consistently reported as with EMDR.

Choice B rationale:

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) focuses on addressing maladaptive beliefs related to the traumatic event. While it can be effective, its reported symptom reduction rates may vary, and it might not consistently achieve the 50% to 80% reduction mentioned.

Choice C rationale:

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a well-established therapy specifically designed for trauma-related disorders like PTSD. Research indicates that many individuals experience significant symptom reduction within 8 to 16 sessions, with reported rates often falling within the 50% to 80% range.

Choice D rationale:

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are therapies often used for conditions like depression and anxiety but may not have as robust a body of evidence for PTSD treatment as EMDR or certain cognitive-behavioral therapies.