Deck 39: The Military and Their Families

Question 1

A member of the military shares that he has been a victim of sexual trauma during his enlistment.Which question will the nurse ask to best assess the individual's degree of self-blame?

A) "Were you physically hurt as a result of sexual abuse?"
B) "Have you confided this information with family or a trusted friend?"
C) "What occurred when you reported the attack to your military superior?"
D) "Have you been tested for sexually transmitted diseases since the attack?"

Answer 1

"What occurred when you reported the attack to your military superior?"

Question 2

Several nurses are newly assigned to a hospital unit that focuses on the care of military personnel who have sustained severe brain injuries and their families.The nurse manager would initially suggest that they:

A) focus on honing their therapeutic communication and assessment skills.
B) self-reflect concerning their feelings about working with the disabled.
C) learn to recognize and act upon the emotional needs of the family.
D) review the physical needs of the traumatic brain injured client.

Answer 2

self-reflect concerning their feelings about working with the disabled.

Question 3

A military veteran is diagnosed with heart disease.With this medical history and a military background that included two tours of duty in a combat zone abroad,the nurse assesses for related psychiatric disorders by asking: (Select all that apply.)

A) "When was the last time you accidentally hurt yourself?"
B) "Have you ever experienced a migraine headache?"
C) "Do you have problems falling asleep at inappropriate times?"
D) "Can you describe your usual pattern of bowel elimination?"
E) "Would you describe yourself as forgetful or absentminded?"

Answer 3

"When was the last time you accidentally hurt yourself?"
"Have you ever experienced a migraine headache?"
"Do you have problems falling asleep at inappropriate times?"
"Would you describe yourself as forgetful or absentminded?"

Question 4

Which assessment question is particularly important to ask of a veteran of the Iraq conflict?

A) "Have you ever experienced a migraine headache?"
B) "Could you ever see yourself considering suicide?"
C) "Do you feel anxious when you find yourself in a confined space like an elevator?"
D) "Would you say that your sleep patterns provide you with sufficient amounts of recuperative rest?"

Question 5

A combat experienced military veteran with a diagnosis of depression is concerned about adjusting to civilian life and reconnecting with family and friends.In assisting the individual's long-term readjustment,the mental health nurse would suggest a referral to:

A) job retraining programs.
B) family and marital counseling sessions.
C) civilian employment assistance services.
D) support groups comprised of combat veterans.

Question 6

The nurse is about to assess the possible incidence of sexual abuse.Based on an understanding of how males and females experience and internalize sexual trauma differently,the nurse would ask the male soldier:

A) "Have you ever been sexually abused?"
B) "Have you ever felt victimized sexually by anyone?"
C) "Has an unwanted sexual advance by anyone ever made you feel harassed or confused?"
D) "Has a superior officer ever made an unwanted sexual advancement that you felt you had to agree to?"

Question 7

Which intervention will best establish a military personnel's mental health fitness for deployment to a war zone?

A) Conducting a predeployment mental health screening as part of the general physical examination
B) Reviewing the military performance records prior to deployment for identification of possible risk factors
C) Providing each military personnel with the opportunity to confidentially discuss their individual concerns with a mental health professional
D) Asking the military personnel to identify in writing any history of mental illness including depression, anxiety, or substance dependency issues

Question 8

Female military personnel who have recently returned from deployment in a war zone are being assessed for potential physical and sexual assault as well as for an increased risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).During the assessment,the nurse would ask: (Select all that apply.)

A) "How safe did you feel while you were deployed?"
B) "Did you have much contact with potential enemy soldiers?"
C) "Have you ever experienced physical abuse as either a child or an adult?
D) "Do you feel the military is prepared to help you reenter a noncombat environment?"
E) "What is your greatest fear regarding your personal safety as a member of the military community?"

Question 9

A military veteran is being evaluated for traumatic brain injury (TBI).Which nursing assessment data supports such a diagnosis? (Select all that apply.)

A) Baseline blood pressure is 148/96
B) Has been treated for bronchitis twice in the last 8 months
C) Patient reports experiencing an average of 3 headaches per week
D) Petit mall seizure activity well controlled with antiseizure medication therapy
E) Patient reports a weight gain of 15 pounds since returning from deployment 12 months ago.

Question 10

Which information noted on a psychosocial assessment is of greatest concern when identifying risk factors for the possible development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for a soldier about to be deployed to a war zone?

A) A parent has been diagnosed with severe and persistent anxiety
B) The soldier had an extended tour of duty in a war zone previously
C) As a child the soldier survived a major hurricane that killed a sibling
D) The spouse has suggested that their relationship may not survive this separation

Question 11

Which interventions address the most commonly identified sources of risk to the mental health of military personnel and their dependents? (Select all that apply.)

A) Depression support groups for adolescent dependents of military personnel
B) Outpatient mental health services conveniently located near on-base housing
C) Low-interest loans to assist dependent families in the payment of relocation expenses
D) Relocation orders being delayed for families with school-age children so the move can occur during the summer months
E) Access to on-base Internet communication resources to facilitate communication between deployed personnel and their families

Question 12

When educating an individual diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) regarding prescribed medication therapy,the nurse should include that:

A) selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like escitalopram (Lexapro) have failed to prove effective in managing PTSD-related depression.
B) the prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) venlafaxine (Effexor) is intended to help lessen intrusive thoughts.
C) benzodiazepines like alprazolam (Xanax) are safe and have very good results in managing avoidance symptoms.
D) mood stabilizers like valproic acid (Depakote) are effective in managing mood swings that occur with PTSD.

Question 13

Which statement made by a female military personnel currently deployed in a war zone provides the best evidence that the soldier is not feeling any unhealthy guilt over being separated from family?

A) "My family back home realizes I miss and love them but leaving them was a part of my job."
B) "When I get back, I will make up for the time I've been away from my family, especially my children."
C) "The guilt I feel for leaving my family is offset by the pride they have for me serving my country like this."
D) "Being away from my children and spouse is too hard to do again; when my enlistment is finished, I'm leaving the military."

Question 14

A military veteran being treated for substance abuse shares that the family is experiencing financial problems since being discharged.In order to assess the individual's coping skills,the nurse asks:

A) "Do you have any idea about how your finances got out of your control?"
B) "How well were you at managing your finances before leaving the military?"
C) "Can you give me some idea of the kind of financial help you feel you need?"
D) "Have your financial expenses increased dramatically since being discharged?"

Question 15

Six months after returning from a combat zone,a discharged Marine reports having both memory and concentration problems that resulted in earning failing grades in two college courses.An understanding of the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury would prompt the nurse to initially ask:

A) "Were you ever treated for a traumatic brain injury?"
B) "Were you ever hit on the head during your military deployment?"
C) "Has a blow to the head ever resulted in you being unconscious for more than 20 minutes?"
D) "When did the memory problems and difficulty with concentration begin to affect your schoolwork?"

Question 16

A military veteran is diagnosed with tinnitus.The educational material provided by the nurse related to the condition should include: (Select all that apply.)

A) exposure to repeated loud noises is often the cause of the disorder.
B) the primary characteristic is a persistent ringing in the ears.
C) tinnitus may be either temporary or chronic.
D) the symptoms can be expected to worsen over time.
E) surgery on the eardrum is usually recommended.

Question 17

Which statement by a military veteran being treated for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the strongest evidence that the condition is being managed?

A) "My mother said that I am much more like my old self."
B) "I hope my buddies get the type of professional help I'm getting."
C) "I didn't think my nightmares would ever stop but now I'm not so sure."
D) "My children and I went to the fireworks display and we all really enjoyed it."