You are caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with depression and anxiety following sexual violence. Which of the following outcomes should the nurse include in the care plan? (Select all that apply)

Choice A reason: Mental health resources and support groups address trauma’s psychological impact post-disaster. Scientifically, social support reduces cortisol and stabilizes amygdala-driven stress responses, fostering resilience. This mitigates acute stress or PTSD risk, supporting recovery by providing emotional and psychological resources for trauma processing.

Choice B reason: Risk assessment for self-harm identifies suicidal ideation, critical post-disaster. Trauma elevates cortisol and amygdala activity, increasing self-harm risk. Scientifically, thorough evaluation ensures safety, addressing neurobiological stress responses and guiding interventions to prevent harm, supporting psychological stability in crisis recovery.

Choice C reason: A therapeutic relationship fosters trust, encouraging disclosure post-disaster. Scientifically, trust reduces cortisol and stabilizes amygdala-driven fear, supporting emotional regulation. This facilitates engagement with interventions, addressing trauma’s psychological impact and promoting recovery by creating a safe environment for processing stress-related symptoms.

Choice D reason: Monitoring vital signs and consciousness tracks physiological stability post-disaster. Trauma can cause autonomic arousal, like elevated heart rate. Scientifically, regular monitoring detects stress-related changes, guiding interventions to stabilize neurobiological responses, ensuring safety and supporting recovery from trauma’s physical and psychological effects.

Choice A reason: Providing a meal and discharging ignores neglect’s broader impact. Malnutrition and neglect elevate cortisol, risking developmental delays. Scientifically, addressing only immediate nutrition fails to protect the child from ongoing harm, as unaddressed abuse can exacerbate psychological trauma and physical health deficits, delaying recovery.

Choice B reason: Reporting to child protective services while meeting immediate needs ensures safety and addresses neglect. Malnutrition disrupts metabolic and cognitive function, while abuse elevates stress hormones. Scientifically, prompt reporting triggers protective interventions, stabilizing the child’s neurobiological stress responses and supporting physical and psychological recovery.

Choice C reason: Calling parents risks escalating harm, as they may be the neglect source. Scientifically, premature contact can increase the child’s stress, elevating cortisol and worsening trauma-related symptoms. This delays protective interventions, leaving the child vulnerable to ongoing neglect and its neurobiological consequences, like developmental delays.

Choice D reason: Waiting for further evidence delays protection, risking ongoing harm. Neglect’s impact, like malnutrition, disrupts brain development and increases cortisol. Scientifically, delaying action fails to address trauma’s neurobiological effects, allowing continued physical and psychological harm, compromising the child’s safety and long-term well-being.