ATI RN Mental Health Asn Related

Review ATI RN Mental Health Asn related questions and content

A nurse is caring for a client who was involved in heavy combat and observed war casualties. The nurse should suspect that the client is suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) if the client makes which of the following statements?

  • A. "I check any room I enter because the enemy is still after me and could be hiding anywhere."
  • B. "I killed four enemy soldiers with my bare hands and saved my entire battalion."
  • C. "My child was born with a birth defect due to an exposure I had overseas."
  • D. "In my dreams, all I can see are the wounded reaching out and trying to grab me."
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because the statement indicates the client is experiencing intrusive memories and nightmares, which are common symptoms of PTSD. This suggests the client is reliving the traumatic event. Choice A suggests hypervigilance, which can be a symptom of PTSD but is not as specific as intrusive memories. Choice B indicates possible grandiosity or exaggerated sense of self-importance. Choice C suggests guilt related to a different issue. Summarily, choices A, B, and C do not directly align with the hallmark symptoms of PTSD like choice D does.