The nurse performs an initial assessment on a client with suspected post-traumatic stress disorder. Which assessments would support this diagnosis? Select all that apply.

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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may occur in people who have seen or experienced a terrifying, traumatic event (eg, war, tornado, rape, plane crash). There are 3 categories of PTSD symptoms: Reexperiencing the traumatic event Examples include intrusive memories, flashbacks, recurring nightmares, and feelings of intense distress/loss of control or strong physical reactions to event reminders (eg, rapid, pounding heart; gastrointestinal distress; diaphoresis) (Option D) Avoiding reminders of the trauma Examples include avoidance of activities, places, thoughts, or other triggers that could serve as reminders; feeling detached and emotionally numb; loss of interest in life; inability to set goals; and amnesia about important details of the event (Option B) Increased anxiety and emotional arousal Examples include insomnia, irritability, outbursts of rage, persistent anger and/or fear, difficulty concentrating, hypervigilance, and exaggerated startle response (Options A and E) (Option C) Persons with PTSD are typically restless and hypervigilant and have trouble falling or staying asleep. Educational objective: A person suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder experiences 3 categories of symptoms: reexperiencing the traumatic event, avoiding reminders of the trauma, and hyperarousal.

The Nurse Performs an Initial Assessment on a Client with Suspected