Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 81%
Simulated
A nurse is admitting a client who has posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to a community mental health facility. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect when completing the admission assessment?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The correct answer is C: Reluctance to discuss the event that precipitated the distress. This is expected in individuals with PTSD as they often avoid talking about or reliving the traumatic event. This avoidance behavior is a common symptom of PTSD and is included in the diagnostic criteria. Individuals with PTSD may experience intrusive thoughts or memories related to the trauma, which can be distressing and lead to avoidance behaviors. This manifestation is important for the nurse to assess as it can impact the client's ability to engage in therapy and treatment.
Explanation of other choices:
A: Decreased startle response to loud noises - This is not typically seen in individuals with PTSD, as they often have an exaggerated startle response due to hypervigilance.
B: Reports uninterrupted sleep of 10 to 12 hr each night - Sleep disturbances are common in PTSD, such as nightmares or difficulty falling asleep.
D: Reports feelings of acute distress that began to 2 weeks ago - PTSD symptoms must persist for more
Explanation of other choices:
A: Decreased startle response to loud noises - This is not typically seen in individuals with PTSD, as they often have an exaggerated startle response due to hypervigilance.
B: Reports uninterrupted sleep of 10 to 12 hr each night - Sleep disturbances are common in PTSD, such as nightmares or difficulty falling asleep.
D: Reports feelings of acute distress that began to 2 weeks ago - PTSD symptoms must persist for more