The nurse is providing care to a client experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder following a terrorist attack at the client's place of worship. What is the priority nursing action?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first step toward resolution of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the client's readiness (ability and willingness) to discuss the details of the traumatic event without experiencing high levels of anxiety. The nurse must assess clients with PTSD for their readiness to talk about the experience and encourage them to discuss the trauma at their own pace. The nurse should also use active listening as a therapeutic approach to build trust and allow clients to vent. This will assist in decreasing their feelings of isolation. The nurse can also guide the client in identifying event details that are most troubling and trigger a sense of loss of control. The effectiveness of the client's coping mechanisms can be identified, and alternate strategies to replace maladaptive ones can be explored. (Option A) It is important to acknowledge any feelings that the client may have about the trauma; the priority nursing action is to encourage the client to talk about the event. (Option B) Assessing the client's support system is an appropriate nursing intervention; however, it is not the priority. (Option D) Sleep aids are used for clients with PTSD and insomnia; however, this is only a temporary solution to one aspect of PTSD clinical presentation. Educational objective: The nurse should encourage clients with posttraumatic stress disorder to talk about the experience at their own pace, listen actively to build trust, and allow clients to vent. This will assist in decreasing their feelings of isolation.

The Nurse Is Providing Care to a Client Experiencing Posttraumatic