PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
SHEILA L COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS SET 2026
FULL SOLUTION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
GUARANTEED TO PASS
◉ what kind of disorder is PTSD classified by? Answer: anxiety
disorder
◉ S/S of PTSD in children Answer: reduction in play, repetitive play
that includes the traumatic event, social withdrawal, negative
emotions, fear, guilt, anger, horror, sadness, shame and confusion. "I
am a bad person" detachment
◉ trauma-related disorders in children Answer: 1. reactive
attachment disorder - lack of bonding with primary caregiver by 8
months of age
2. disinhibited social engagement disorder - demonstrate no fear of
strangers, seem unfazed in response to separation from primary
caregiver and usually willing to go off with people who are unknown
to them
◉ psychological factors related to trauma disorders in children
Answer: *attachment theory - stress the importance of early
bonding of caregiver and infant which persists into adulthood
,◉ interventions for trauma-related disorders in children Answer: -
multiple forms of play
- outreach school programs
- home visits
- recreational activities and interactions with adults and peers
*resilience is acquired over time
◉ psychopharmacology for trauma-related disorders in children
Answer: SSRIs - fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline
(Zoloft)
*Effexor, Remeron, or Clonidine if SSRIs do not work
*Propranolol is a beta blocker used to treat hyperarousal and panic
◉ PTSD in adults Answer: - re-experiencing the trauma- problems
with fireworks, loud noises, etc. (flashbacks)
- AVOIDANCE of stimuli associated with trauma
*persistent symptoms of increased arousal (anything that is a
reminder)
◉ PTSD diagnostic criteria Answer: must experience 8 out of 14 of
the following symptoms 3 days to 1 month after event:
- subjective sense of numbing; derealization
, - inability to remember at least one important aspect of the event
- intrusive distressing memories of the event
- intense prolonged distress or physiological reactivity
- avoidance of thoughts or feelings about event
- sleep disturbances
- hypervigilance
- irritability
- anger or aggressive behavior
- exaggerated startle response
- restlessness
*must be present for a minimum of 30 days
◉ interventions for PTSD Answer: *initiate nurse-patient
relationship
- encourage identification of PTSD symptoms (so they recognize
these symptoms did not previously exist)
- therapy: cognitive, behavioral, recreational
- medications: SSRIs - Zoloft (severe depression)
◉ possible nursing diagnoses with acute stress disorder Answer: -
aggression
- headaches
SHEILA L COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS SET 2026
FULL SOLUTION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
GUARANTEED TO PASS
◉ what kind of disorder is PTSD classified by? Answer: anxiety
disorder
◉ S/S of PTSD in children Answer: reduction in play, repetitive play
that includes the traumatic event, social withdrawal, negative
emotions, fear, guilt, anger, horror, sadness, shame and confusion. "I
am a bad person" detachment
◉ trauma-related disorders in children Answer: 1. reactive
attachment disorder - lack of bonding with primary caregiver by 8
months of age
2. disinhibited social engagement disorder - demonstrate no fear of
strangers, seem unfazed in response to separation from primary
caregiver and usually willing to go off with people who are unknown
to them
◉ psychological factors related to trauma disorders in children
Answer: *attachment theory - stress the importance of early
bonding of caregiver and infant which persists into adulthood
,◉ interventions for trauma-related disorders in children Answer: -
multiple forms of play
- outreach school programs
- home visits
- recreational activities and interactions with adults and peers
*resilience is acquired over time
◉ psychopharmacology for trauma-related disorders in children
Answer: SSRIs - fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline
(Zoloft)
*Effexor, Remeron, or Clonidine if SSRIs do not work
*Propranolol is a beta blocker used to treat hyperarousal and panic
◉ PTSD in adults Answer: - re-experiencing the trauma- problems
with fireworks, loud noises, etc. (flashbacks)
- AVOIDANCE of stimuli associated with trauma
*persistent symptoms of increased arousal (anything that is a
reminder)
◉ PTSD diagnostic criteria Answer: must experience 8 out of 14 of
the following symptoms 3 days to 1 month after event:
- subjective sense of numbing; derealization
, - inability to remember at least one important aspect of the event
- intrusive distressing memories of the event
- intense prolonged distress or physiological reactivity
- avoidance of thoughts or feelings about event
- sleep disturbances
- hypervigilance
- irritability
- anger or aggressive behavior
- exaggerated startle response
- restlessness
*must be present for a minimum of 30 days
◉ interventions for PTSD Answer: *initiate nurse-patient
relationship
- encourage identification of PTSD symptoms (so they recognize
these symptoms did not previously exist)
- therapy: cognitive, behavioral, recreational
- medications: SSRIs - Zoloft (severe depression)
◉ possible nursing diagnoses with acute stress disorder Answer: -
aggression
- headaches
