A woman who was sexually assaulted a month ago presents to the emergency department with reports of recurrent nightmares, fear of going to sleep, repeated vivid memories of the sexual assault, and inability to feel much emotion. Which medical problem will the nurse expect to see documented in the chart?

Acute stress disorder

General adaptation syndrome (GAS)

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Alarm reaction

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Acute stress disorder occurs within one month of trauma, with symptoms like nightmares and dissociation. However, symptoms persisting beyond one month, as in this case, indicate PTSD. The patient’s presentation aligns with chronic trauma effects, making PTSD the more likely diagnosis over acute stress disorder.

Choice B reason: General adaptation syndrome describes the body’s physiological response to stress (alarm, resistance, exhaustion). It is not a psychiatric diagnosis and does not account for trauma-specific symptoms like nightmares or emotional numbing. This is unrelated to the patient’s psychological response, making it incorrect.

Choice C reason: PTSD is characterized by persistent symptoms beyond one month post-trauma, including nightmares, intrusive memories, avoidance, and emotional numbing, matching the patient’s presentation. Sexual assault is a common trigger, and the nurse would expect this diagnosis documented due to the chronicity and specificity of symptoms.

Choice D reason: Alarm reaction is the initial phase of general adaptation syndrome, involving acute stress response like fight-or-flight. It is not a diagnosis and does not explain chronic psychological symptoms like recurrent memories or emotional detachment, making it irrelevant to the patient’s trauma-related condition.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Intersectionality examines how overlapping identities (e.g., race, gender, socioeconomic status) shape unique experiences of health and care. Focusing on experiences allows nurses to address disparities and tailor interventions, ensuring equitable care. This approach recognizes systemic factors, critical for understanding patients’ barriers and needs in diverse healthcare contexts.

Choice B reason: Focusing on illness alone overlooks intersectionality’s emphasis on how social identities shape health experiences. Illness is a clinical factor, not a social construct like race or class. This narrow focus risks missing systemic inequities, reducing care effectiveness for patients with complex social determinants influencing their health outcomes.

Choice C reason: Values are personal beliefs, not the primary focus of intersectionality, which examines social identities and systemic inequities shaping experiences. Prioritizing values risks ignoring structural factors like discrimination, limiting the nurse’s ability to address disparities and provide culturally sensitive care critical for patients from marginalized backgrounds.

Choice D reason: Health is an outcome, not the focus of intersectionality, which explores how identities like ethnicity or gender create unique experiences of care access and treatment. Focusing on health alone misses social determinants, risking generic care that fails to address inequities, critical for equitable nursing practice in diverse populations.

A. Believes there is no known ultimate reality. B. The patient is devoid of spirituality. C. Finds no meaning through relationship with others. D. Is certain there is no such entity as God.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Agnosticism is the belief that the existence of ultimate reality or God is unknown or unknowable. The nurse should consider this when planning care, respecting the patient’s uncertainty about spiritual matters and avoiding assumptions about religious practices, ensuring care aligns with their belief system.

Choice B reason: Assuming the patient is devoid of spirituality is incorrect, as agnosticism does not preclude spiritual beliefs or practices. Agnostics may find meaning in non-religious spirituality. This assumption risks alienating the patient, making it an inappropriate consideration for care planning.

Choice C reason: Agnosticism does not imply finding no meaning in relationships. Patients may value human connections despite uncertainty about ultimate reality. This assumption misrepresents the patient’s beliefs and could lead to insensitive care, making it incorrect for planning based on their agnosticism.

Choice D reason: Agnostics are uncertain about God’s existence, not certain of its absence, which aligns with atheism. This misinterpretation of agnosticism could lead to inappropriate care assumptions, dismissing potential spiritual needs. The nurse should focus on the patient’s uncertainty, making this incorrect.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse implementing the principles of intersectionality will focus on what patient characteristic?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a patient who professes to being an agnostic. Which information should the nurse consider when planning care for this patient’s belief system?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is teaching the staff about the sleep cycle. Which period lasts 10 to 30 minutes?

The nurse is completing an assessment on an older-adult patient who is having difficulty falling asleep. Which condition will the nurse further assess for in this patient?

A home care nurse is inspecting a patient’s house for safety issues. Which findings will cause the nurse to address the safety problems? (Select all that apply)

A nurse is documenting end-of-life care. Which information will the nurse include in the patient’s electronic medical record? (Select all that apply)

A nurse is called into the supervisor’s office regarding deteriorating work performance since the loss of a spouse 2 years ago. The nurse begins sobbing and says, “I’m falling apart at home as well.” Which type of grief is the nurse experiencing?

A nurse is teaching the staff about a nursing theory that views a person, family, or community developing a normal line of defense. Which theory is the nurse describing?