A trauma survivor is requesting sleep medication because of "bad dreams." The nurse is concerned that the patient may be experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which question is a priority for the nurse to ask the patient?

Choice A reason: Maturational loss occurs with normal developmental transitions, like aging or menopause. Amputation from military injuries is an unexpected event, not a developmental milestone. This type does not apply to the veteran’s sudden, trauma-related loss, making it incorrect for the care plan focus.

Choice B reason: Situational loss results from unpredictable events, like amputation due to military injuries. This loss impacts the veteran’s mobility, identity, and lifestyle, requiring targeted interventions for grief, adaptation, and rehabilitation. The nurse’s care plan should focus on addressing this situational loss to support emotional and physical recovery.

Choice C reason: Perceived loss is subjective, like loss of self-esteem, but amputation is a tangible, objective loss of limbs. While emotional impacts exist, the primary loss is physical and situational. This type is less specific to the veteran’s experience, making it an incorrect focus for the care plan.

Choice D reason: Uncomplicated loss refers to normal grief without complications, not a specific type of loss. Amputation is a complex situational loss with physical and psychological impacts. This term does not capture the nature of the veteran’s experience, making it inappropriate for the care plan focus.

Choice A reason: Transpersonal connectedness involves a spiritual or transcendent bond beyond personal interaction, often with a higher power or universe. While spiritual care may include this, the nurse’s direct connection with the patient is more personal and relational, making interpersonal a more accurate description of the experienced connection.

Choice B reason: Multipersonal is not a recognized term in nursing or spiritual care contexts. It suggests multiple personal connections but lacks specificity. The nurse’s one-on-one connection with the patient during spiritual care is better described as interpersonal, focusing on their direct, personal interaction, making this incorrect.

Choice C reason: Intrapersonal connectedness refers to self-reflection or internal awareness, not a connection with another person. The nurse’s experience involves engaging with the patient, not self-focused introspection. This type does not apply to the relational aspect of providing spiritual care, making it an incorrect choice.

Choice D reason: Interpersonal connectedness occurs between two individuals, as when the nurse connects with the patient during spiritual care. This relational bond fosters trust, empathy, and support, aligning with the nurse’s role in addressing the patient’s spiritual needs through direct interaction, making this the correct type of connectedness experienced.