Exam 36: Soldiers and Veterans

A nurse assesses the health status of soldiers returning from Afghanistan. Screening will be a priority for signs and symptoms of which health problems? Select all that apply.

A soldier returned home last year after deployment to a war zone. The soldier's spouse reports, "We had planned to start a family right away, but now he won't talk about it. He won't even look at children. I wonder if we're going to make it as a couple." Select the nurse's best response.

When is it most important for the nurse to screen for signs and symptoms of post-combat PTSD?

A combat veteran diagnosed with a mild TBI returned to college after discharge from the armed forces. The veteran began tutoring after scoring poorly in three courses. Which strategy can the tutor use to assist the veteran's academic achievement?

A nurse counsels an 87-year-old veteran of World War II who tearfully shares memories of sights associated with Nazi concentration camps. Which term will be most familiar to this veteran?

A combat veteran with TBI, depression, and anxiety begins new prescriptions for sertraline (Zoloft) and lorazepam (Ativan). In recognition of potential long-term repercussions, the nurse should provide teaching related to which topic?

A nurse manages a program providing day treatment services to combat veterans diagnosed with PTSD. During breaks between activities, which type of music would be most appropriate?

A soldier was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ). The soldier's spouse reports that when a telephone rings during the night, the soldier rolls out of bed and assumes an aggressive stance. How will the nurse document this finding?

A soldier in a combat zone tells the nurse, "I saw a child get blown up over a year ago, but I keep seeing bits of flesh everywhere. I see something red and the visions race back to my mind." The soldier is describing which phenomenon associated with PTSD?

A combat veteran diagnosed with moderate traumatic brain injuries is agitated and aggressive. Which pharmacologic intervention would the nurse expect to be effective?

A soldier who served in a combat zone returned home to the United States. The soldier's spouse reports to the nurse, "We had planned to start a family right away, but now he won't talk about it. He won't even look at children." The spouse is describing which symptom associated with PTSD?

A combat veteran diagnosed with moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) will begin pharmacologic therapies that include psychotropic medication. What information should the nurse provide? Select all that apply.

A soldier who served in a combat zone tells the nurse, "I saw a child get blown up over 2 years ago, but even now when I see something red, the visions race back to my mind and I smell burnt flesh." How should the nurse document this experience?

A veteran with a suspected TBI is scheduled for diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). What information should the nurse provide?

Excitotoxicity in persons diagnosed with TBIs is associated primarily with which neurotransmitter?

A nurse talks with the caregiver of a combat veteran with severe traumatic brain injury. The caregiver says, "I don't know how much longer I can do it. My whole life is consumed with taking care of my partner." Which resource should the nurse suggest?

A soldier experienced a TBI associated with acceleration-deceleration forces. Which part of the neuron was most likely damaged?

Which social event would likely be most disturbing for this soldier diagnosed with PTSD?

General George Patton led U.S. troops in Europe and Africa during World War II. His career was marred by an incident of scolding a distressed, frightened soldier as "a coward" and "yellow." Patton's behavior embodied which phenomenon associated with symptom delay in PTSD?

A nurse assesses soldiers in a combat zone. When is it most important for the nurse to screen for signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI)?