Chapter 28: Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders
Multiple Response
1. A mother brings her son to the Emergency Department and tells the nurse that her
son must have PTSD, because 2 days ago he witnessed a car accident in which there
were fatalities. She is convinced that her son has PTSD because he has been crying
when he talks about the incident. She believes that boys are at greater risk
for PTSD because they dont typically cry. She read on the internet that PTSD can have
dangerous consequences, so she wants her son to get some medication to cure the
PTSD before it gets too bad. Which of these statements by the nurse would accurately
correct this mothers misunderstanding about PTSD? Select all that apply.
A. There are no long-term or dangerous consequences from PTSD. B. Women appear
to be at greater risk of this disorder than men.
C. Medications have been found to be effective in treating symptoms of depression or
anxiety but do not represent a cure for the disorder.
D. Fewer than 10% of trauma victims develop PTSD.
ANS: B, C, D
Items B, C, and D are evidence-based pieces of information. Item A is incorrect since,
in fact, dangerous consequences of unmanaged PTSD may include depression and/or
suicide.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Analysis | Integrated Processes: Teaching/Learning | Client
Need: Psychosocial
Integrity
,2. A patient is admitted to the community mental health center for outpatient therapy
with a diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder. Which of the following subjective statements
by the patient support this diagnosis? Select all that apply.
A. I was divorced 3 months ago and I cant seem to cope.
B. I was a victim of date rape 15 years ago when I was in college.
C. My partner came home last week and told me he just didnt love me anymore.
D. I failed one of my classes last month and I cant get motivated to register for my next
semester.
ANS: A, C, D
A diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder is appropriate when the stressors are related to
relational conflict, where there are significant emotional or behavioral symptoms, and
when the response occurs within 3 months after the onset of the stressor (and persists
no longer than 6 months). Item B would be more aptly described as a traumatic event.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Evaluation | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Assessment
| Client Need:
Psychosocial Integrity
3. A military veteran is being assessed for outpatient therapy after he reports having
problems at home and at work. Which of the symptoms that he describes are
commonly associated with PTSD? Select all that apply.
A. Ive been drinking and smoking pot daily.
, B. Ive been having trouble sleeping and I think Ive been having nightmares but I cant
remember them. C. I slapped my wife when she was trying to hug me.
D. Ive been having intense pain in the leg where I sustained a combat wound.
ANS: A, B, C
Common symptoms associated with PTSD include substance abuse, sleep
disturbances, nightmares, and aggression. Whereas the combat exposure and
wounding could be described as traumas, the patients complaint of pain requires
further physical assessment rather than assuming this symptom is related to PTSD.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process:
Assessment | Client Need:
Psychosocial Integrity
4. A patients wife reports to the nurse that she was told her husbands PTSD may be
related to cognitive problems. She is asking the nurse to explain what that means.
Which of the following are accurate statements about the cognitive theory as it applies
to PTSD? Select all that apply.
A. People are vulnerable to trauma-related disorders when their fundamental beliefs
are invalidated. B. Cognitive theory addresses the importance of how people think (or
cognitively appraise) events. C. Dementia is a common symptom of PTSD.
D. Amnesia is the biggest cognitive problem in PTSD and is the primary cause of
trauma-related disorders.
ANS: A, B
Multiple Response
1. A mother brings her son to the Emergency Department and tells the nurse that her
son must have PTSD, because 2 days ago he witnessed a car accident in which there
were fatalities. She is convinced that her son has PTSD because he has been crying
when he talks about the incident. She believes that boys are at greater risk
for PTSD because they dont typically cry. She read on the internet that PTSD can have
dangerous consequences, so she wants her son to get some medication to cure the
PTSD before it gets too bad. Which of these statements by the nurse would accurately
correct this mothers misunderstanding about PTSD? Select all that apply.
A. There are no long-term or dangerous consequences from PTSD. B. Women appear
to be at greater risk of this disorder than men.
C. Medications have been found to be effective in treating symptoms of depression or
anxiety but do not represent a cure for the disorder.
D. Fewer than 10% of trauma victims develop PTSD.
ANS: B, C, D
Items B, C, and D are evidence-based pieces of information. Item A is incorrect since,
in fact, dangerous consequences of unmanaged PTSD may include depression and/or
suicide.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Analysis | Integrated Processes: Teaching/Learning | Client
Need: Psychosocial
Integrity
,2. A patient is admitted to the community mental health center for outpatient therapy
with a diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder. Which of the following subjective statements
by the patient support this diagnosis? Select all that apply.
A. I was divorced 3 months ago and I cant seem to cope.
B. I was a victim of date rape 15 years ago when I was in college.
C. My partner came home last week and told me he just didnt love me anymore.
D. I failed one of my classes last month and I cant get motivated to register for my next
semester.
ANS: A, C, D
A diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder is appropriate when the stressors are related to
relational conflict, where there are significant emotional or behavioral symptoms, and
when the response occurs within 3 months after the onset of the stressor (and persists
no longer than 6 months). Item B would be more aptly described as a traumatic event.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Evaluation | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Assessment
| Client Need:
Psychosocial Integrity
3. A military veteran is being assessed for outpatient therapy after he reports having
problems at home and at work. Which of the symptoms that he describes are
commonly associated with PTSD? Select all that apply.
A. Ive been drinking and smoking pot daily.
, B. Ive been having trouble sleeping and I think Ive been having nightmares but I cant
remember them. C. I slapped my wife when she was trying to hug me.
D. Ive been having intense pain in the leg where I sustained a combat wound.
ANS: A, B, C
Common symptoms associated with PTSD include substance abuse, sleep
disturbances, nightmares, and aggression. Whereas the combat exposure and
wounding could be described as traumas, the patients complaint of pain requires
further physical assessment rather than assuming this symptom is related to PTSD.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process:
Assessment | Client Need:
Psychosocial Integrity
4. A patients wife reports to the nurse that she was told her husbands PTSD may be
related to cognitive problems. She is asking the nurse to explain what that means.
Which of the following are accurate statements about the cognitive theory as it applies
to PTSD? Select all that apply.
A. People are vulnerable to trauma-related disorders when their fundamental beliefs
are invalidated. B. Cognitive theory addresses the importance of how people think (or
cognitively appraise) events. C. Dementia is a common symptom of PTSD.
D. Amnesia is the biggest cognitive problem in PTSD and is the primary cause of
trauma-related disorders.
ANS: A, B
