Review Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Abuse, Violence, Trauma, and Stressor Related Disorders > Mental Health

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

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Total Questions : 10

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Question 1:

A nurse is assessing a client who has experienced a traumatic event. Which of the following would be considered a traumatic event according to the text?

A. Taking a vacation. B. Changing jobs. C. Experiencing a natural disaster. D. Celebrating a birthday.

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

A) might be enjoyable or stressful depending on the circumstances, but it is not generally considered a traumatic event as it does not involve a threat to one's physical or psychological well-being.

Choice B:

B) is a significant life event, but it is not inherently a traumatic event. It can be a positive or negative experience, depending on the individual's perspective.

Choice C:

C) is a traumatic event according to the text. Natural disasters can result in life-threatening situations, loss of property, and psychological distress, potentially leading to long-lasting effects on mental health.

Choice D:

D) is a joyful occasion and is not considered a traumatic event. It typically brings positive emotions and does not involve exposure to harm or danger.

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Question 2:

A nurse is educating a group of individuals about trauma and its effects. Which of the following statements accurately describe traumatic events? Select all that apply.

A. Traumatic events can involve serious injuries. B. Traumatic events only include natural disasters. C. Traumatic events can lead to mental disorders. D. Traumatic events can have long-lasting consequences. E. Traumatic events only affect certain age groups.

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

Traumatic events can involve serious injuries. This choice accurately reflects that traumatic events can encompass a wide range of situations that result in physical harm, such as accidents, violence, or medical emergencies. These events can lead to significant injuries and medical consequences.

Choice B:

Traumatic events only include natural disasters. This choice is incorrect because traumatic events are not limited to natural disasters alone. Trauma can result from various experiences, including accidents, violence, abuse, and more. Natural disasters are just one category of traumatic events.

Choice C:

Traumatic events can lead to mental disorders. This choice is correct because traumatic experiences can indeed trigger the development of mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety disorders, and more. The emotional impact of trauma can have lasting effects on a person's psychological well-being.

Choice D:

Traumatic events can have long-lasting consequences. This choice is accurate as traumatic events can leave enduring impacts on individuals, affecting their mental, emotional, and physical well-being over an extended period. These consequences can range from chronic psychological distress to changes in behavior and relationships. Now, let's address the incorrect choices:

Choice E:

Traumatic events only affect certain age groups. This choice is also incorrect. Traumatic events can affect people of all ages, from children to the elderly. The impact of trauma is not restricted by age; it can influence anyone who experiences or witnesses a distressing event.

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Question 3:

A nurse is caring for a client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The client states, "I keep having nightmares about the accident and I can't get them out of my head." This statement is an example of which symptom cluster of PTSD?

A. Intrusion symptoms. B. Avoidance symptoms. C. Negative alterations in cognition and mood. D. Alterations in arousal and reactivity.

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

Intrusion symptoms. This choice is accurate because the client's statement about recurring nightmares and intrusive thoughts related to the accident aligns with the intrusion symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Intrusion symptoms involve distressing memories, nightmares, and flashbacks that "intrude" into the person's consciousness. Now, let's address the other choices:

Choice B:

Avoidance symptoms. This choice is incorrect for this scenario. Avoidance symptoms in PTSD involve efforts to avoid reminders, thoughts, or situations associated with the traumatic event. The client's statement does not specifically reflect avoidance behaviors.

Choice C:

Negative alterations in cognition and mood. This choice is also incorrect in this context. Negative alterations in cognition and mood include feelings of detachment, negative beliefs, and distorted emotions. The client's statement does not directly relate to these alterations.

Choice D:

Alterations in arousal and reactivity. This choice is incorrect for the given statement. Alterations in arousal and reactivity involve symptoms like irritability, hypervigilance, and exaggerated startle response. The client's description of recurring nightmares and intrusive thoughts does not align with this symptom cluster.

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Question 4:

A nurse is providing care to a client with PTSD. The client avoids going to the site where the traumatic event occurred. This behavior is an example of which symptom cluster of PTSD?

A. Intrusion symptoms. B. Avoidance symptoms. C. Negative alterations in cognition and mood. D. Alterations in arousal and reactivity.

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

Intrusion symptoms. This choice is incorrect in this context. Intrusion symptoms involve unwanted memories, nightmares, and flashbacks that intrude into a person's consciousness. Avoiding the site of the traumatic event does not align with this symptom cluster.

Choice B:

Avoidance symptoms. This choice is accurate because the client's behavior of avoiding the site where the traumatic event occurred is characteristic of avoidance symptoms in PTSD. People with PTSD often go to great lengths to avoid reminders and triggers associated with the trauma. Now, let's address the other choices:

Choice C:

Negative alterations in cognition and mood. This choice is not applicable to the client's behavior described. Negative alterations in cognition and mood involve feelings of detachment, distorted emotions, and negative beliefs about oneself or the world. Avoiding a specific location does not directly relate to this cluster.

Choice D:

Alterations in arousal and reactivity. This choice is also incorrect for the given behavior. Alterations in arousal and reactivity include symptoms like irritability, hypervigilance, and difficulty concentrating. Avoidance of a particular site is not directly related to this symptom cluster.

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Question 5:

A client who experienced a traumatic event presents with physical symptoms such as headaches and chronic pain. These symptoms can be attributed to which clinical manifestation of PTSD?

A. Psychological signs. B. Emotional signs. C. Physical signs. D. Social signs.

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

Psychological signs involve cognitive and mental aspects of PTSD, such as flashbacks and intrusive thoughts.

Choice B:

Emotional signs encompass mood-related manifestations like fear, anger, and guilt.

Choice C:

C, physical signs, include symptoms like headaches and chronic pain which are commonly associated with PTSD due to the physiological stress response triggered by the traumatic event. This response can lead to increased muscle tension and altered pain perception, resulting in these physical symptoms. Such somatic complaints are integral to the diagnosis of PTSD, and they often coexist with other psychological and emotional symptoms.

Choice D:

Social signs refer to difficulties in interpersonal relationships and isolation. In contrast,

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Question 6:

A nurse is assessing a client for potential PTSD symptoms. Which statement by the client indicates they are experiencing intrusion symptoms?

A. "I've been feeling really detached from everyone lately.” B. "I keep having nightmares about the accident.” C. "I can't seem to stop thinking about what happened.” D. "I've been feeling very irritable and on edge.”

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

Feeling detached from others is a characteristic of the numbing/avoidance cluster of PTSD symptoms, not intrusion symptoms.

Choice B:

B, the correct choice, relates to nightmares about the traumatic incident, a classic intrusion symptom. These nightmares can re-traumatize the individual, making sleep challenging and contributing to the overall distress associated with PTSD.

Choice C:

Involuntary, distressing thoughts about the traumatic event are indicative of intrusion symptoms, which are encapsulated by

Choice D:

Feeling irritable and on edge falls under the hyperarousal symptom category.

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Question 7:

A nurse is planning care for a client with PTSD. Which intervention is appropriate for addressing avoidance symptoms?

A. Encouraging the client to engage in relaxation techniques. B. Providing the client with information about local support groups. C. Teaching the client cognitive-behavioral techniques. D. Administering prescribed medications to manage anxiety.

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

Encouraging relaxation techniques targets symptom management but doesn't directly address avoidance symptoms.

Choice B:

B is the most suitable intervention for addressing avoidance symptoms. Individuals with PTSD often avoid situations, places, or people that trigger memories of the trauma. Connecting them with local support groups can provide a safe environment to discuss their experiences, gradually reducing avoidance behavior. Peer support can offer validation, normalization, and sharing of coping strategies, which can ultimately aid in diminishing avoidance symptoms.

Choice C:

Cognitive-behavioral techniques are helpful for various PTSD symptoms, but they primarily focus on modifying thought patterns and behaviors.

Choice D:

Medications can alleviate symptoms like anxiety but don't specifically tackle avoidance symptoms. In contrast,

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Question 8:

A client with PTSD is experiencing alterations in arousal and reactivity. Which nursing intervention would be most appropriate for this symptom cluster?

A. Assisting the client in identifying and challenging negative thoughts. B. Encouraging the client to discuss their traumatic experience in detail. C. Teaching the client grounding techniques to manage anxiety. D. Providing the client with a list of community resources for support.

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

Assisting the client in identifying and challenging negative thoughts might be more appropriate for addressing cognitive distortions in conditions like depression or anxiety disorders, but it might not directly address the alterations in arousal and reactivity characteristic of PTSD.

Choice B:

Encouraging the client to discuss their traumatic experience in detail could potentially trigger retraumatization and exacerbate the symptoms. Exposure therapy, which involves discussing the trauma, is generally done in a controlled and gradual manner under the guidance of a therapist.

Choice C:

Teaching the client grounding techniques to manage anxiety is the most appropriate option. Grounding techniques help individuals stay connected to the present moment, reduce feelings of detachment, and manage anxiety. Techniques might include deep breathing, mindfulness, or using sensory cues to anchor oneself.

Choice D:

Providing the client with a list of community resources for support is important, but it does not directly address the specific symptom cluster of alterations in arousal and reactivity. This intervention might be more relevant for overall support and coping, but not for managing the specific symptoms mentioned.

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Question 9:

A nurse is assessing a client who experienced a traumatic event one week ago. The client is unable to remember important aspects of the event and reports feeling detached from their surroundings. Which symptom is the nurse observing in this client?

A. Intrusive memories. B. Negative mood. C. Dissociation. D. Avoidance. E. Arousal.

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

Intrusive memories are characterized by the sudden and distressing re-experiencing of the traumatic event. These memories can be in the form of flashbacks or nightmares and are not directly related to the client's reported inability to remember aspects of the event and feeling detached.

Choice B:

Negative mood, while common in PTSD, pertains to feelings of sadness, anger, or guilt. It is not the primary symptom described in this scenario, where the client is struggling with memory gaps and detachment.

Choice C:

The nurse is observing dissociation in this client. Dissociation involves feeling disconnected from oneself or the environment, often as a defense mechanism in response to trauma. This can manifest as depersonalization (feeling detached from one's own body) or derealization (feeling detached from one's surroundings).

Choice D:

Avoidance refers to the avoidance of reminders or situations associated with the traumatic event. While it can be a symptom of PTSD, it doesn't fully capture the reported memory issues and detachment observed in this client.

Choice E:

Arousal symptoms involve heightened physiological responses such as hypervigilance, irritability, and exaggerated startle responses. These symptoms are not the primary focus of the scenario, which is centered around memory gaps and detachment.

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Question 10:

(Select all that apply): A nurse is conducting an assessment of a client with acute stress disorder (ASD). Which physical signs might the nurse find in the client?

A. Gastrointestinal problems. B. Cardiovascular problems. C. Chronic pain. D. Substance use disorder. E. Eating disorders.

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

Gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, can be physical signs of acute stress disorder. The stress response can impact the gastrointestinal system due to the activation of the "fight or flight" response.

Choice B:

Cardiovascular problems, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, are also common physical signs of acute stress disorder. The body's physiological response to stress can lead to cardiovascular changes.

Choice C:

Chronic pain is not typically considered a primary physical sign of acute stress disorder. While stress can exacerbate existing pain conditions, it is not among the hallmark physical symptoms of this disorder.

Choice D:

Substance use disorder might develop as a maladaptive coping mechanism in response to stress, but it is not a direct physical sign that a nurse would observe upon assessment.

Choice E:

Eating disorders are not typically considered a primary physical sign of acute stress disorder. While stress can affect eating habits, it is not one of the characteristic physical symptoms associated with this disorder.

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

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