Exam 10: Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders

A veteran of the war in Afghanistan was diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The veteran says, "If there's a loud noise at night, I get under my bed because I think we're getting bombed." What type of experience has the veteran described?

Which scenario best demonstrates an example of eustress? An individual:

A person with a fear of heights drives across a high bridge. Which structure will stimulate a response from the autonomic nervous system?

A family member asks the nurse, "Do you think stress and physical illness are connected? Since my father's death, my mother has had shingles and the flu, but she's usually not one who gets sick." Which answer by the nurse best reflects current knowledge about long term effects of stress?

A soldier returned one year ago from Afghanistan and was diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which social event would most likely be disturbing for this soldier?

A person with a fear of heights drives across a high bridge. Which division of the autonomic nervous system is stimulated in response to this experience?

A patient diagnosed with liver failure has been on the transplant waiting list 8 months. The patient says, "Why is it taking so long to have the surgery? Maybe I'm meant to die for all the bad things I've done." The nurse should document the patient's comment in which section of the assessment?

A nurse assesses the health status of veterans of the war in Afghanistan. Screening will be a priority for signs and symptoms of which health problems? (Select all that apply.)

An individual says to the nurse, "I feel so stressed out lately. I think the stress is affecting my body also." Which somatic complaints are most likely to accompany this feeling? (Select all that apply.)

A soldier returns to the United States from active duty in a combat zone. The soldier is diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The nurse's highest priority is to screen this soldier for which problem?

A nurse designs a plan of exercise for a patient experiencing stress. The rationale the nurse should explain when presenting this plan to the treatment team is that exercise:

Cortisol is released in response to a patient's prolonged stress. Which initial effect would the nurse expect to result from the increased cortisol level?

A veteran of military combat tells the nurse, "I saw a child get blown up over a year ago, and now I keep seeing bits of flesh everywhere. I see something red and the visions race back to my mind." Which phenomenon associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is this veteran describing?

As part of the stress response, the HPA axis is stimulated. Which structures make up this system?

Which experiences are most likely to precipitate posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? (Select all that apply.)

A soldier served in combat zones in Iraq in 2010 and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2014. When is it most important for the nurse to screen for signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

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

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

A nurse talks with the caregiver of a combat veteran diagnosed with severe traumatic brain injuries. 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." Select the nurse's best response.

A patient is brought to the emergency department after a motorcycle accident. The patient is alert, responsive, and diagnosed with a broken leg. The patient's vital signs are temperature (T), 98.6° F; pulse (P), 72 beats per minute (bpm); and respirations (R), 16 breaths per minute. After being informed that surgery is required for the broken leg, which vital sign readings would be expected?