A nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with acute stress disorder. Which of the following client statements aligns with this diagnosis?
“I was in a car crash two weeks ago and I have nightmares when I sleep.”.
“I was physically abused as a child and have frequent flashbacks since then.”.
“I was in a terrible car crash two years ago and I have been unable to drive since then.”.
“My parents fought a lot when I was a child.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) is a mental health condition that can occur in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event, with symptoms starting within four weeks of the event and lasting for a minimum of three days and up to one month. This client’s statement about experiencing nightmares following a car crash two weeks ago aligns with the diagnosis of ASD.
Nightmares are a common symptom of ASD, often replaying the traumatic event, leading to disrupted sleep and increased distress.
Choice B rationale
This statement is more indicative of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a related but distinct condition from ASD. PTSD is characterized by persistent and intrusive memories of the traumatic event, which can include flashbacks, and symptoms must last for more than a month and cause significant distress or functional impairment. The chronic nature of the symptoms described by the client, including frequent flashbacks since childhood, is more consistent with PTSD than ASD.
Choice C rationale
This statement could suggest a condition known as Specific Phobia, Situational Type. This is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by an intense, persistent fear of certain situations. The individual will avoid the situation or endure it with intense fear or anxiety. In this case, the client’s inability to drive following a car crash two years ago could indicate a specific phobia related to driving.
Choice D rationale
The experience described by the client in this statement is indicative of a dissociative symptom, which can be a feature of several different mental health disorders, including but not limited to Dissociative Disorders and PTSD1. The feeling of leaving one’s body is referred to as depersonalization, a type of dissociation that can occur as a response to trauma. However, without more information, it is difficult to align this statement with a specific diag
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Anxiety is considered transdiagnostic because it can manifest alongside other medical and psychiatric conditions. This means that a person with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) may also have other conditions such as depression, heart disease, or gastrointestinal problems. The presence of anxiety can also exacerbate the symptoms of these other conditions.
Choice B rationale
Anxiety does not only manifest in the presence of recognized nonmodifiable risk factors. There are many factors that can contribute to the development of anxiety, including genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and personal experiences.
Choice C rationale
While there are recognized modifiable risk factors for anxiety, such as stress and lifestyle factors, anxiety does not only manifest in the presence of these factors. Anxiety is a complex condition that can be influenced by a variety of factors.
Choice D rationale
This statement is incorrect. As mentioned in Choice A, anxiety can and often does manifest alongside other medical and psychiatric conditions.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Secondary trauma, also known as vicarious trauma or compassion fatigue, is a type of trauma that can occur in individuals who help or want to help others (like healthcare workers) experiencing a traumatic event. This can include feelings of fear, hopelessness, and difficulties in functioning, similar to those experienced by the person who underwent the actual trauma.
Choice B rationale
Acute trauma is typically associated with a single, severe traumatic event, not the ongoing stress of working in a high-stress environment like a Covid-19 unit.
Choice C rationale
Complex trauma refers to a type of trauma that occurs repeatedly and cumulatively, usually over a period of time and within specific relationships and contexts. It is not typically used to describe the experiences of healthcare workers in a pandemic.
Choice D rationale
Chronic trauma refers to the experience of multiple traumatic events. It is often used to describe situations such as ongoing child abuse, domestic violence, or war. It is not the most accurate term to describe the experiences of healthcare workers in a pandemic.
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