A patient is prescribed Fluoxetine 40 mg daily. If the available tablet is 20 mg, how many tablets are needed each day?

Choice A reason: Referring to a psychiatrist for medication may be premature without a full assessment. Anxiety post-trauma can stem from PTSD or acute stress disorder, requiring a detailed evaluation to identify causes. Medications like SSRIs may help, but initiating them without understanding the client’s psychological state risks inappropriate treatment, potentially exacerbating symptoms or delaying effective care.

Choice B reason: Group therapy offers social support but may not be the priority immediately post-trauma. Trauma can heighten anxiety in group settings, potentially overwhelming the client. Scientifically, individualized assessment and coping strategies are needed first to stabilize the client’s mental state, as group dynamics may trigger stress responses or hinder early recovery efforts.

Choice C reason: A comprehensive mental health assessment is critical to identify the root causes of anxiety, such as PTSD or acute stress disorder. It evaluates cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms, guiding targeted interventions. Scientifically, this ensures accurate diagnosis, preventing missteps in treatment and addressing trauma-related neurobiological changes, like heightened amygdala activity, for effective care planning.

Choice D reason: Teaching anxiety coping mechanisms, like deep breathing or mindfulness, empowers the client to manage symptoms. These techniques reduce physiological arousal, such as elevated heart rate, by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Scientifically, they mitigate acute stress responses, promoting emotional regulation and stabilizing the client’s mental health post-trauma, enhancing long-term recovery.

Choice E reason: Beginning cognitive behavioral therapy immediately may be premature without a full assessment. CBT is effective for trauma-related disorders but requires a tailored approach based on the client’s specific symptoms. Starting without understanding the client’s psychological state risks ineffective therapy, as unaddressed acute symptoms may interfere with cognitive processing and therapeutic engagement.

Choice A reason: Documenting and advising to avoid arguments is insufficient without assessing abuse. Bruises may indicate trauma, elevating cortisol and stress responses. Scientifically, this approach fails to address potential abuse’s neurobiological impact, risking ongoing harm and delaying protective interventions for the elderly patient’s safety.

Choice B reason: Asking family about bruises risks alerting potential abusers, compromising safety. Scientifically, premature confrontation may increase stress, elevating cortisol and worsening trauma-related symptoms. A comprehensive assessment is needed first to confirm abuse, ensuring interventions address the patient’s neurobiological and psychological needs safely.

Choice C reason: Immediate social worker referral is premature without assessment. Bruises and arguments suggest abuse, impacting stress hormones. Scientifically, referral without evaluating the situation risks misaligned interventions, delaying protection and failing to address trauma’s neurobiological effects, like amygdala hyperactivity, critical for elderly patient safety.

Choice D reason: A comprehensive assessment identifies abuse causes and evaluates safety. Bruises may reflect trauma, elevating cortisol and amygdala activity. Scientifically, this guides targeted interventions, addressing neurobiological stress responses and ensuring protection. It prioritizes safety, supporting psychological and physical well-being in potential abuse cases.