TIC Principles in Practice
Which TIC principle is most at risk of being unintentionally violated when a nurse rushes through consent forms in a noisy ER, and what can be done instead?
Trustworthiness & Transparency.
This principle involves openly sharing information and intentions with the patient in order to reduce power imbalances.
Trustworthiness and Transparency
A client asks for a female provider and the team honors the request. Another nurse privately dismisses it as “overreacting.” Trauma-informed or not? Explain.
Not trauma-informed
A patient is given options on how and where they’d like to receive information about their diagnosis. Which TIC principle is reflected here?
Empowerment, Voice, and Choice.
A nurse continues with physical assessments despite the patient’s visible discomfort and minimal verbal response. What key trauma-informed principle is being overlooked?
Safety.
This TIC principle is about creating an environment—physically and emotionally—where a person feels protected and respected.
Safety
A nurse explains every step of a procedure before beginning and checks in frequently. Which TIC principle is being applied, and why does it matter?
Trustworthiness and Transparency.
Give a trauma-informed example of a reflective statement using “open-ended questioning” when a patient says, “I hate talking about what happened.
It sounds like talking about it feels overwhelming; what would feel safer for you right now?
While supporting a client who is opening up about their past abuse, the nurse begins to tear up and says, “I went through something similar when I was younger. It’s so painful—I completely understand how you feel.” The client pauses, then quietly nods.
Q: Trauma-informed or not?
No
During a discharge planning meeting, the nurse invites the patient and their family to share concerns and set goals together. Which principle is best illustrated here?
Collaboration and Mutuality. Shared decision-making promotes inclusion and trust.
What critical error might occur if a nurse prioritizes documentation over patient response during a trauma disclosure, and which principle is breached?
Fails to attune to the patient’s emotional cues, violating Safety and Empowerment. The patient may feel dismissed or retraumatized.
During a trauma disclosure, the nurse stays silent, maintains calm presence, and offers tissues without speaking. Trauma-informed or not? Why?
Yes
A patient says, “I’m fine, I don’t need to talk about it,” but appears withdrawn and avoids eye contact. Which OARS strategy would you use, and how would you phrase it in a trauma-informed way?
Reflective Listening; It seems like you are not ready to talk right now now and that's completely okay. I'm here when you're ready
A nurse assumes a patient’s hesitation is due to “non-compliance” and documents it without exploring further. Why is this a trauma-informed engagement mistake?
It labels behavior instead of seeking understanding. Trauma can impact trust and communication; labeling without context risks re-traumatization.
A nursing student completes all assessment steps correctly but forgets to close the curtain, uses a clipboard barrier while speaking, and avoids follow-up after the patient discloses past trauma.
Why might this technically “correct” assessment still be trauma-insensitive?
student failed to create psychological safety and missed an opportunity for trust-building