Basic
A patient experiences recurrent nightmares, flashbacks, and avoidance behaviors following a traumatic event. These symptoms have persisted for six weeks.
What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
A patient with PTSD constantly scans the environment, sits facing the door, and startles easily.
What is hypervigilance?
A 5-year-old who experienced a traumatic event begins wetting the bed again after previously being toilet trained. This behavior is an example of what?
What is regression?
This approach to care emphasizes physical and emotional safety, trust, collaboration, empowerment, and avoiding retraumatization.
What is trauma-informed care?
This type of psychotherapy helps patients identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors associated with trauma.
What is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?
This disorder is diagnosed when trauma-related symptoms last longer than three days but less than one month.
What is acute stress disorder (ASD)?
A patient tells the nurse, "I feel like I am responsible for what happened to me." This statement reflects which PTSD symptom cluster?
What are negative alterations in cognition and mood?
A child repeatedly acts out a traumatic event using dolls or toys during play. This behavior may indicate what?
What is repetitive trauma-related play?
A patient experiencing a flashback becomes frightened and disoriented. The nurse should encourage the patient to use this technique to reconnect with the present.
What is grounding?
This trauma-focused therapy is specifically adapted to help children and adolescents process traumatic experiences.
What is trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)?
These four symptom clusters characterize PTSD in adults.
What are intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity?
A patient becomes visibly distressed when hearing loud noises because they remind them of a traumatic experience. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
What are negative alterations in cognition and mood?
A school-aged child who previously performed well academically begins having difficulty concentrating, becomes withdrawn, and experiences frequent nightmares. What should the nurse suspect?
What is PTSD?
A nurse is caring for a patient with PTSD who becomes anxious when approached from behind. Which action is most appropriate?
What is approaching from the front, maintaining a calm demeanor, and explaining actions before touching the patient?
These two selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are FDA-approved medications for treating PTSD in adults.
What are sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil)?
A patient refuses to drive past the intersection where a serious accident occurred. This behavior represents which PTSD symptom cluster?
What is avoidance?
A patient with PTSD tells the nurse, "I don't want to talk about what happened. Everyone keeps asking me about it." What is the nurse's best response?
What is "You don't have to discuss anything until you feel ready. We can focus on helping you feel safe right now."
A teenager with PTSD begins engaging in risky behaviors, substance use, and self-harm. These behaviors may represent what?
What are maladaptive coping behaviors associated with trauma?
A patient with PTSD refuses to participate in group therapy. What should the nurse do?
What is exploring the patient's concerns and respecting their decision while offering alternative therapeutic opportunities?
A patient with PTSD reports frequent nightmares. The provider prescribes this medication, which may help decrease trauma-related nightmares.
What is prazosin?
A patient reports feeling as though the traumatic event is happening again, even though they know they are currently safe. This symptom is called what?
What is a flashback?
A patient with PTSD reports feeling hopeless and states, "My family would be better off without me." What is the nurse's priority action?
What is assessing the patient for suicidal ideation, intent, plan, and access to lethal means?
A 7-year-old tells the nurse, "It was my fault that my parents got hurt." What is the most appropriate nursing response?
What is "You are not responsible for what happened. The adults were responsible for keeping everyone safe."
A patient with PTSD becomes increasingly agitated, begins pacing, and states, "I can't do this anymore." Which nursing action is the priority?
What is assessing immediate safety, including suicide risk, while using calm, supportive communication?
A patient with PTSD is participating in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy. What is the primary purpose of this treatment?
What is helping the patient process traumatic memories and reduce their associated emotional distress?