PTSD - SHADOW HEALTH 2025 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
Patient NICOLE DIAZ - ANSWER-Ms Diaz is a 48-year-old Cuban American woman
who came to the VA clinic at 10:30 AM this morning to receive treatment for her chronic
sleep disorders related to her PTSD.
You are expected to assess Ms Diaz's physiological and psychological condition in
order to engage in appropriate therapeutic communication and patient education. You
will then continue Ms. Diaz's treatment in the Care Plan activity.
CARE PLAN DX - ANSWER-EXHIBITS INEFFECTIVE COPING r/t INSUFFICIENT
SENSE OF CONTROL aeb [nightmares, paranoia, tobacco use, fear]
Care plan Planning Short term goals - ANSWER-the patient will identify at least 2
constructive short term coping strategies by the end of the visit
Care plan Planning Interventions - ANSWER--Identify current stressors impacting
patient coping abilities and secondary concerns
-Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the current coping strategies with the patient
-Discuss the harmful effects of smoking on physical health
-Assess readiness to learn
-Assist in determining realistic, feasible, and more efficient coping strategies
-Assist in use of diversion, recreation, and relaxation techniques
-Teach the patient how to substitute negative thoughts for positive ones
-Involve social services, psychiatric provider, and next-level support as needed
Care Plan Data collections - ANSWER--Patient will be able to discuss additional
effective coping strategies
-Patient will voice the importance of seeking help from health care professionals during
acute phases
-Patient will articulate stressors that increase insomnia and PTSD symptoms
Patient Education/Empathy 1 - ANSWER-PTSD
-Description: Ms. Diaz describes the symptoms that she experiences as a result of her
diagnosis of PTSD with depression.
-Model Statement: "PTSD is difficult for anyone who experiences it. Please let me know
if I do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable or that triggers your symptoms. Our
goal is to make your care here comfortable and a positive experience. I can put you in
touch with mental health nurses or trauma counselors if you would like. There are also
many support groups for veterans who face the same issues, and I would be happy to
refer you to one."
, Patient Education/Empathy 2 - ANSWER-Patient History
-Description: Ms. Diaz discloses some details of the events of her MST which led to her
PTSD.
-Model Statement: "I'm sorry this happened to you. You are a survivor who has come so
far. You seem very aware of the impact that this event has had on your life, and I
commend you for directly addressing the underlying issues. I am here if you would like
to talk more about it, and if there is anything you need, please let me know."
Patient Education/Empathy 3 - ANSWER-Suicidal Ideation
-Description: Ms. Diaz reports that sometimes she has suicidal thoughts, or feels like life
is not worth living.
-Model Statement: "When you say that life is not worth living, you are talking about
suicide. I understand that you are facing a difficult time with your sleep issues and your
history, but we can focus on how to move forward and get you help. I would recommend
counseling. I would like to refer you to counseling, and resources like a national suicide
prevention hotline."
Patient Education/Empathy 4 - ANSWER-Smoking Cessation
-Description: Ms. Diaz reports smoking daily.
-Model Statement: "I understand that smoking can be a form of stress relief for you, but
smoking could also be making your sleep problems worse. There are healthier forms of
stress release, including exercise. Smoking also puts you at risk for high blood pressure
and lung disease. We have medications and nicotine replacement products that can
help you stop smoking. Quitting smoking is hard, but it is possible. I would like to refer
you to someone for help with smoking cessation."
Patient Education/Empathy 5 - ANSWER-Poor Sleep
-Description: Ms. Diaz comments that her sleep is unsatisfactory and often interrupted
by nightmares.
-Model Statement: "It must be very hard to experience sleep problems. I am sure that
having nightmares, and not being able to get a full night's sleep, must be exhausting.
We can help find ways to improve your sleep so you can get some rest."
Patient Education/Empathy 6 - ANSWER-Exercise
-Description: Ms. Diaz reports she has been exercising less frequently.
CORRECT ANSWERS
Patient NICOLE DIAZ - ANSWER-Ms Diaz is a 48-year-old Cuban American woman
who came to the VA clinic at 10:30 AM this morning to receive treatment for her chronic
sleep disorders related to her PTSD.
You are expected to assess Ms Diaz's physiological and psychological condition in
order to engage in appropriate therapeutic communication and patient education. You
will then continue Ms. Diaz's treatment in the Care Plan activity.
CARE PLAN DX - ANSWER-EXHIBITS INEFFECTIVE COPING r/t INSUFFICIENT
SENSE OF CONTROL aeb [nightmares, paranoia, tobacco use, fear]
Care plan Planning Short term goals - ANSWER-the patient will identify at least 2
constructive short term coping strategies by the end of the visit
Care plan Planning Interventions - ANSWER--Identify current stressors impacting
patient coping abilities and secondary concerns
-Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the current coping strategies with the patient
-Discuss the harmful effects of smoking on physical health
-Assess readiness to learn
-Assist in determining realistic, feasible, and more efficient coping strategies
-Assist in use of diversion, recreation, and relaxation techniques
-Teach the patient how to substitute negative thoughts for positive ones
-Involve social services, psychiatric provider, and next-level support as needed
Care Plan Data collections - ANSWER--Patient will be able to discuss additional
effective coping strategies
-Patient will voice the importance of seeking help from health care professionals during
acute phases
-Patient will articulate stressors that increase insomnia and PTSD symptoms
Patient Education/Empathy 1 - ANSWER-PTSD
-Description: Ms. Diaz describes the symptoms that she experiences as a result of her
diagnosis of PTSD with depression.
-Model Statement: "PTSD is difficult for anyone who experiences it. Please let me know
if I do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable or that triggers your symptoms. Our
goal is to make your care here comfortable and a positive experience. I can put you in
touch with mental health nurses or trauma counselors if you would like. There are also
many support groups for veterans who face the same issues, and I would be happy to
refer you to one."
, Patient Education/Empathy 2 - ANSWER-Patient History
-Description: Ms. Diaz discloses some details of the events of her MST which led to her
PTSD.
-Model Statement: "I'm sorry this happened to you. You are a survivor who has come so
far. You seem very aware of the impact that this event has had on your life, and I
commend you for directly addressing the underlying issues. I am here if you would like
to talk more about it, and if there is anything you need, please let me know."
Patient Education/Empathy 3 - ANSWER-Suicidal Ideation
-Description: Ms. Diaz reports that sometimes she has suicidal thoughts, or feels like life
is not worth living.
-Model Statement: "When you say that life is not worth living, you are talking about
suicide. I understand that you are facing a difficult time with your sleep issues and your
history, but we can focus on how to move forward and get you help. I would recommend
counseling. I would like to refer you to counseling, and resources like a national suicide
prevention hotline."
Patient Education/Empathy 4 - ANSWER-Smoking Cessation
-Description: Ms. Diaz reports smoking daily.
-Model Statement: "I understand that smoking can be a form of stress relief for you, but
smoking could also be making your sleep problems worse. There are healthier forms of
stress release, including exercise. Smoking also puts you at risk for high blood pressure
and lung disease. We have medications and nicotine replacement products that can
help you stop smoking. Quitting smoking is hard, but it is possible. I would like to refer
you to someone for help with smoking cessation."
Patient Education/Empathy 5 - ANSWER-Poor Sleep
-Description: Ms. Diaz comments that her sleep is unsatisfactory and often interrupted
by nightmares.
-Model Statement: "It must be very hard to experience sleep problems. I am sure that
having nightmares, and not being able to get a full night's sleep, must be exhausting.
We can help find ways to improve your sleep so you can get some rest."
Patient Education/Empathy 6 - ANSWER-Exercise
-Description: Ms. Diaz reports she has been exercising less frequently.
