A nurse is caring for a patient with post-traumatic stress disorder who is considering prolonged exposure therapy.
The patient asks, “How does this therapy work?” Which of the following responses accurately describes this type of therapy?

Choice A rationale
Agoraphobia is characterized by a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or embarrassing, or help might not be available in the event of panic symptoms. This does not align with the child’s symptoms of not being able to speak in class or other social situations.
Choice B rationale
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about a variety of topics and is not specific to social situations. The child’s symptoms are more specific to social situations, which does not align with generalized anxiety disorder.

Choice C rationale
Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder characterized by a consistent failure to speak in specific social situations in which there is an expectation for speaking, despite speaking in other situations. This aligns with the child’s symptoms of not being able to speak during class and other social situations.
Choice D rationale
Separation anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive fear or anxiety about separation from those to whom the individual is attached. The child’s symptoms do not indicate a fear of separation, but rather a fear of speaking in social situations.

Choice A rationale
Anticipatory grief occurs before death. It is grief that occurs leading up to a death. It may be felt by the person dying or person’s family. When a patient experiences distress, pain, and medical complications, it can add to anticipatory grief.
Choice B rationale
Complicated grief lasts longer than normal grief. It is characterized by the length of time and intensity of grief symptoms. This type of grief can occur when a person has a difficult time

accepting the death, experiences intense and persistent longing for the deceased, or has difficulty moving on with life.
Choice C rationale
Disenfranchised grief refers to a loss that is not or cannot be openly acknowledged, socially sanctioned, or publicly mourned. It is not typically associated with the death of a terminally ill patient.
Choice D rationale
Traumatic grief generally refers to grief resulting from a sudden, unexpected, or violent death. The death of a terminally ill patient, while deeply sad, is typically not categorized as traumatic.