Mental Health HESI 2023 Related

Review Mental Health HESI 2023 related questions and content

A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is experiencing a flashback. What is the nurse's priority action?

  • A. Encourage the client to talk about the trauma.
  • B. Help the client to focus on the present.
  • C. Administer prescribed anti-anxiety medication.
  • D. Leave the client alone to work through the flashback.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The priority action is to help the client focus on the present (B), which can reduce the intensity of the flashback. Encouraging discussion of the trauma (A) should be done when the client is not actively experiencing a flashback. While medication (C) may be necessary, it is not the first priority in this situation. Leaving the client alone (D) is not appropriate as they need support to manage the flashback.