Unit V: PTSD NCLEX style practice QUESTIONS

C (Clients who have experienced a traumatic event such as sexual abuse may experience flashbacks. The triggers for these flashbacks may be visual, auditory, tactile, or olfactory.)

1. The nurse is talking with a client who just had a beautiful bouquet of roses delivered. Suddenly the client becomes tearful and stares out the window. The client has a history of sexual abuse. Which of the following should the nurse include in the plan of care for this client? A.Tell the client that the sexual abuse was in the past B. Tell the client to relax and enjoy the roses C. Assess if the client is having a flashback D. Give the client some alone time and return later

A ( The nurse should question a prescription of alprazolam (Xanax) for acute anxiety if the client has a history of alcohol dependence. Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine used in the treatment of anxiety and has an increased risk for physiological dependence and tolerance. A client with a history of substance abuse may be more likely to abuse other addictive substances and/or combine this drug with alcohol. )

A client is prescribed alprazolam (Xanax) for acute anxiety. What client history should cause a nurse to question this order? A. History of alcohol dependence B. History of personality disorder C. History of schizophrenia D. History of hypertension

B (Post-traumatic stress disorder is caused by the the experience of severe, specific trauma. Rape is a severely traumatic event. Although the situations in options A, C, and D are certainly stressful, they are not at the level of severe trauma)

A group of community nurses sees and plans care for various clients with different types of problems. Which of the following clients would they consider the most vulnerable to post-traumatic stress disorder? A An 8 year-old boy with asthma who has recently failed a grade in school B A 20 year-old college student with DM who experienced date rape C A 40 year-old widower who has recently lost his wife to cancer D A wife of an individual with a severe substance abuse problem

C (Planning care for a client with post-traumatic stress disorder would involve helping the client to verbalize thoughts and feelings about the trauma. This will help the client work through the strong emotions connected with the trauma and, therefore foster the belief that she is able to cope. Avoiding discussion and using distraction techniques would be inappropriate. Option B may be possible later, after the client is able to verbalize strong emotions.)

A nurse at Nurseslabs Medical Center is developing a care plan for a female client with post-traumatic stress disorder. Which of the following would she do initially? A Instruct the client to use distraction techniques to cope with flashbacks. B Encourage the client to put the past in proper perspective. C Encourage the client to verbalize thoughts and feelings about the trauma. D Avoid discussing the traumatic event with client.

C

After being robbed and beaten by an unknown assailant, a patient is diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When developing a plan of care for the patient, which of these interventions will the healthcare provider plan to implement first? A Assist the patient in recalling the details of the event B Teach the patient coping skills to deal with anxiety C Promote the establishment of a trusting relationship D Ensure the patient is taking medications as prescribed

A (The target clinical manifestation for a client with post-traumatic stress disorder is flashbacks. Ritualistic behavior is associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Having a decreased energy level is associated with depression. Hearing voices is associated with schizophrenia.)

When planning the care of a client who is experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder, the nurse identifies which of the following as an appropriate goal? The client will report: A. A decrease in flashbacks and nightmares. B. Spending less time on ritualistic behavior. C. A decrease in hearing voices. D. Having more energy.