Question 1

A patient diagnosed with depersonalization disorder tells the nurse,"It's starting again.I feel as though I'm going to float away." Which intervention would be most appropriate at this point?

Accepted Answer

A)  Notify the health care provider of this change in the patient's behavior. 
B)  Engage the patient in a physical activity such as exercise. 
C)  Isolate the patient until the sensation has diminished. 
D)  Administer a PRN dose of anti-anxiety medication.

Question 2

Relaxation techniques help patients who have experienced major traumas because they:

Accepted Answer

A)  engage the parasympathetic nervous system. 
B)  increase sympathetic stimulation. 
C)  increase the metabolic rate. 
D)  release hormones.

Question 3

A soldier served in combat zones in Iraq during 2010 and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2013.When is it most important for the nurse to screen for signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Accepted Answer

A)  Immediately upon return to the U.S. from Afghanistan 
B)  Before departing Afghanistan to return to the U.S. 
C)  One year after returning from Afghanistan 
D)  Screening should be on-going

Question 4

A wife received news that her husband died of heart failure and called her family to come to the hospital.She angrily tells the nurse who cared for him,"He would still be alive if you had given him your undivided attention." Select the nurse's best intervention.

Accepted Answer

A)  Say to the wife, "I understand you are feeling upset. I will stay with you until your family comes." 
B)  Say to the wife, "Your husband's heart was so severely damaged that it could no longer pump." 
C)  Say to the wife, "I will call the health care provider to discuss this matter with you." 
D)  Hold the wife's hand in silence until the family arrives.

Question 5

After major reconstructive surgery,a patient's wounds dehisced.Extensive wound care was required for 6 months,causing the patient to miss work and social activities.Which pathophysiology would be expected for this patient? Dysfunction of the:

Accepted Answer

A)  pons. 
B)  occipital lobe. 
C)  hippocampus. 
D)  hypothalamus.

Question 6

A nurse works with a patient diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder who has frequent flashbacks as well as persistent symptoms of arousal.Which intervention should be included in the plan of care?

Accepted Answer

A)  Trigger flashbacks intentionally in order to help the patient learn to cope with them. 
B)  Explain that the physical symptoms are related to the psychological state. 
C)  Encourage repression of memories associated with the traumatic event. 
D)  Support "numbing" as a temporary way to manage intolerable feelings.

Question 7

A soldier returned 3 months ago from Afghanistan and was diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Which social event would be most disturbing for this soldier?

Accepted Answer

A)  Halloween festival with neighborhood children 
B)  Singing carols around a Christmas tree 
C)  A family outing to the seashore 
D)  Fireworks display on July 4th

Question 8

A woman just received notification that her husband died.She approaches the nurse who cared for him during his last hours and says angrily,"If you had given him your undivided attention,he would still be alive." How should the nurse analyze this behavior?

Accepted Answer

A)  The comment suggests potential allegations of malpractice. 
B)  In some cultures, grief is expressed solely through anger. 
C)  Anger is an expected emotion in an adjustment disorder. 
D)  The patient had ambivalent feelings about her husband.

Question 9

A 10-year-old child was placed in a foster home after being removed from parental contact because of abuse.The child has apprehension,tremulousness,and impaired concentration.The foster parent also reports the child has an upset stomach,urinates frequently,and does not understand what has happened.What helpful measures should the nurse suggest to the foster parents? The nurse should recommend: (select all that apply)

Accepted Answer

A)  conveying empathy and acknowledging the child's distress. 
B)  explaining and reinforcing reality to avoid distortions. 
C)  using a calm manner and low, comforting voice. 
D)  avoiding repetition in what is said to the child. 
E)  staying with the child until the anxiety decreases. 
F) minimizing opportunities for exercise and play.

Question 10

A soldier who served in a combat zone returned to the U.S.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)?

Accepted Answer

A)  Reexperiencing 
B)  Hyperarousal 
C)  Avoidance 
D)  Psychosis

Exam 16: Trauma, Stressor-Related, and Dissociative Disorders

A patient diagnosed with depersonalization disorder tells the nurse,"It's starting again.I feel as though I'm going to float away." Which intervention would be most appropriate at this point?

Relaxation techniques help patients who have experienced major traumas because they:

A soldier served in combat zones in Iraq during 2010 and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2013.When is it most important for the nurse to screen for signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) ?

A wife received news that her husband died of heart failure and called her family to come to the hospital.She angrily tells the nurse who cared for him,"He would still be alive if you had given him your undivided attention." Select the nurse's best intervention.

After major reconstructive surgery,a patient's wounds dehisced.Extensive wound care was required for 6 months,causing the patient to miss work and social activities.Which pathophysiology would be expected for this patient? Dysfunction of the:

A nurse works with a patient diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder who has frequent flashbacks as well as persistent symptoms of arousal.Which intervention should be included in the plan of care?

A soldier returned 3 months ago from Afghanistan and was diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) .Which social event would be most disturbing for this soldier?

A woman just received notification that her husband died.She approaches the nurse who cared for him during his last hours and says angrily,"If you had given him your undivided attention,he would still be alive." How should the nurse analyze this behavior?

A soldier who served in a combat zone returned to the U.S.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) ?