Exhibits

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Pain assessment completed. The client's pain is 2 on a 0 to 10 pain scale. The client requests sleeping medication for the night. She explains that she keeps having horrible thoughts and memories about the house collapsing and that it is keeping her from falling asleep. She states, "I used to be so happy before all of this happened. Now I can't seem to get out of this funk I am in." The client would also prefer to be in a quieter area of the unit as she is currently by the nurses' station and hears talking

A. Phototherapy involves exposure to specific wavelengths of light to help regulate mood and alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or sleep disorders. It can be particularly beneficial in a hospital setting where natural light exposure may be limited, potentially aiding in mood stabilization and improving sleep patterns.
B. Lithium is a mood stabilizer commonly used to treat bipolar disorder. While the client's symptoms and presentation do not immediately suggest bipolar disorder, lithium could be considered if there are indications of mood instability or severe emotional dysregulation that are not adequately controlled by other medications.
C. Consciousness raising refers to increasing awareness and understanding of one's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In the context of therapy, it can help the client process traumatic experiences, gain insight into their reactions, and develop coping strategies. This approach can be integrated into various forms of psychotherapy.
D. CBT is a structured form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and modifying dysfunctional thought patterns and behaviors. It has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other trauma-related disorders by helping individuals challenge negative thoughts and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
E. ECT involves passing electrical currents through the brain to intentionally trigger a brief seizure. It is primarily used for severe depression or other mental illnesses that have not responded to other treatments. Given the client's presentation and the availability of less invasive treatments, ECT would generally not be considered unless her condition worsens significantly and other therapies are ineffective or contraindicated.
F. Animal therapy involves interacting with animals, such as therapy dogs or horses, to improve mood, reduce stress, and provide emotional support. This type of therapy can be beneficial for individuals experiencing trauma or emotional distress, offering comfort and companionship.

After listening to the client's symptoms, the nurse realizes that she likely has acute stress disorderrelated to traumatic stress

Acute Stress Disorder: This diagnosis fits because the client is experiencing significant distress and anxiety related to the traumatic event (her house collapsing during a hurricane). Acute stress disorder is characterized by intrusive thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks, and avoidance behaviors following exposure to a traumatic event. The client's symptoms of persistent thoughts about the event, difficulty sleeping due to these thoughts, and feeling unable to return to her previous emotional state ("funk") are indicative of acute stress disorder.

Traumatic Stress: This describes the source of the client's symptoms. The collapse of her house during a hurricane is a traumatic event that has triggered her acute stress disorder symptoms. Traumatic stress refers to the psychological and emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event.