Deck 38: Military Families

Question 1

Name some positives and negatives associated with the military lifestyle.

Answer 1

Positives and negatives associated with military lifestyle:
A. Advantages:
• Military personnel retire earlier than civilians
• The family's needs are provided for by a huge system.
• Guaranteed paycheck and a secure job.
• Benefits in health care
• Opportunity to travel around the world
• Educational opportunities
B. Disadvantages:
• Separation from family
• Frequent relocation from one area to another.
• "The mission must always come first"
• A pattern of regimentation and rigidity in family life
• Military personnel may feel detached from non-military community
• Absence of power overpay, promotion, and other benefits

Question 2

Discuss historical aspects and epidemiological statistics related to members and veterans of the U.S. military.

Answer 2

Epidemiological information and related history of the U.S. military:
There are around 1.5 million U.S. Armed Forces around the world with 15% comprised of women in over 150 countries. War veterans who survive combat return with more than battle scars. They come back with psychological scars as well. There have been various reports of psychological symptoms from previous wars that were documented which include terms such as: shell shock, post-traumatic stress disorder, and battle fatigue.

Question 3

Joan's husband, who was deployed to Afghanistan a year ago, is returning home this week. Which of the following postdeployment situations may be likely to occur during the first few months of his return? (Select all that apply.)

A) A honeymoon period of physical reconnection
B) Resistance from the spouse regarding possible loss of autonomy
C) Rejection by the children for perceived abandonment
D) A period of adjustment to reconnect emotionally

Answer 3

The post deployment period lasts for three to six months and begins with the return of the service member home. The situations that may be likely to occur are as follows:
• Honeymoon period
• Reconnecting physically, but not necessarily emotionally
• Reluctance by the spouse to surrender some measure of autonomy
Thus, the correct options are (a), (b) and (d).

Question 4

Describe some behaviors exhibited by school-age children in response to the deployment of a parent.

Question 5

Describe the lifestyle of career military families.

Question 6

Which of the following is the leading cause of TBI in active-duty military personnel in combat?

A) Military vehicle accidents
B) Blasts from explosive devices
C) Falls
D) Blows to the head from falling debris

Question 7

How do the feelings about leaving their children during a deployment differ between men and women service members?

Question 8

Discuss the impact of deployment on families of service members.

Question 9

Leon, a veteran of the war in Iraq, has been diagnosed with PTSD. He is a client of the VA outpatient clinic. He tells the nurse that he experiences panic attacks. Which of the following medications may be prescribed for Leon to treat his panic attacks?

A) Alprazolam
B) Lithium
C) Carbamazepine
D) Haldol

Question 10

Name some symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder.

Question 11

Discuss concerns of women in the military.

Question 12

Leon, a veteran of the war in Iraq, has been diagnosed with PTSD. He has been hospitalized after swallowing a handful of his anti-panic medication. His physical condition has been stabilized in the emergency department, and he has been admitted to the psychiatric unit. In developing his initial plan of care, which is the priority nursing diagnosis that the nurse selects for Leon?

A) Post-trauma syndrome
B) Risk for suicide
C) Complicated grieving
D) Disturbed thought processes

Question 13

Describe combat-related illnesses common in members and veterans of the U.S. military.

Question 14

Mike was injured during combat in Afghanistan. He has a diagnosis of TBI. Which of the following medications might the physician prescribe to improve Mike's memory and thinking capability?

A) Carbamazepine
B) Duloxetine
C) Donepezil
D) Bupropion

Question 15

Apply steps of the nursing process in care of veterans with traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Question 16

Leon, a veteran of the war in Iraq, has been diagnosed with PTSD. He has been hospitalized on the psychiatric unit following an attempted suicide. In the middle of the night, he wakes up yelling and tells the nurse he was having a flashback to when his unit transport drove over an improvised explosive device (IED) and most of his fellow soldiers were killed. He is breathing heavily, perspiring, and his heart is pounding. The nurse's most appropriate initial intervention is which of the following?

A) Contact the doctor on call to report the incident.
B) Administer the p.r.n. order for chlorpromazine.
C) Stay with Leon and reassure him of his safety.
D) Have Leon sit outside the nurses' station until he is calm.

Question 17

Discuss various modalities relevant to treatment of traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Question 18

Mike, a veteran of combat in Afghanistan, has a diagnosis of mild TBI. The psychiatric home health nurse from the VA medical center is assigned to make home visits to Mike and his wife, Nancy, who is his caregiver. Which of the following would be an appropriate nursing intervention by the home health nurse? (Select all that apply.)

A) Assess for use of substances by Mike or Nancy.
B) Encourage Nancy to do everything for Mike to prevent further deterioration in his condition.
C) Assess Nancy's level of stress and potential for burnout.
D) Encourage Nancy to allow Mike to be as independent as possible.
E) Suggest that Nancy ask the physician for a nursing home placement for Mike.

Question 19

Which of the following psychosocial therapies has been shown to be helpful for clients with TBI?

A) Eye movement desensitization
B) Psychoanalysis
C) Reality therapy
D) Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Question 20

Pam's husband of 1 year left two weeks ago for a year-long deployment in Afghanistan. Pam makes an appointment with the psychiatric nurse practitioner at the Community Mental Health Clinic. She tells the nurse that she can't sleep, has no appetite, is chronically fatigued, thinks about her husband constantly, and fears for his life. Which of the following might the nurse suggest/prescribe for Pam? (Select all that apply.)

A) A prescription for sertraline, 50 mg/day
B) Participation in a support group
C) Resume involvement in usual activities
D) Perform regular relaxation exercises