A patient is pacing the hall near the nurse’s station, swearing loudly. What would be an appropriate initial intervention for the nurse?

Choice A rationale:
Anger is a common and expected response to trauma, including sexual assault. It can stem from various sources, including:
Feelings of violation and powerlessness: Survivors may feel intense anger towards the perpetrator for taking control of their bodies and lives.
Betrayal: If the assault was committed by someone they knew or trusted, survivors may feel intense anger towards that person for breaking their trust.
Frustration and injustice: Survivors may feel angry at the injustice of the situation, the lack of control they had, and the ongoing impact of the trauma.
Difficulty processing other emotions: Anger can sometimes mask other emotions that are difficult to deal with, such as fear, sadness, or guilt.
Anger can manifest in various ways, including:
Irritability and outbursts: Survivors may have a short temper, snap at others easily, or have difficulty controlling their anger. Aggression: In some cases, anger can lead to physical or verbal aggression towards others or self-harming behaviors.
Withdrawal and isolation: Some survivors may withdraw from social interactions and relationships to avoid potential triggers for their anger.
Substance abuse: Some survivors may turn to alcohol or drugs to numb their feelings or cope with their anger.
Choice B rationale:
Sleeping 12 hours or more each day can be a symptom of PTSD, but it is not a specific indicator of anger. It can also be a sign of depression, anxiety, or hypersomnia, a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness.
Choice C rationale:
PTSD can sometimes lead to an increased sense of detachment from others, rather than attachment. Survivors may feel emotionally numb, have difficulty trusting others, or withdraw from relationships.
Choice D rationale:
While some survivors of sexual assault may feel a need to talk about the event, it is not a universal symptom of PTSD. Some survivors may avoid talking about the event altogether due to the distress it causes.

Choice A rationale
Ideas of reference involve the belief that casual events, people’s remarks, or elements in the environment have a particular and unusual meaning specifically for oneself. This is not what is being described in the question.
Choice B rationale
Perseveration is the repetition of a particular response, such as a word, phrase, or gesture, despite the absence or cessation of a stimulus. It is usually caused by a brain injury or other organic disorder. This is not what is being described in the question.
Choice C rationale
Flight of ideas is a symptom of a thought disorder that causes a rapid shift from one idea to another. This symptom is often seen in conditions like bipolar disorder, particularly during manic episodes. This matches the description given in the question.
Choice D rationale
Confabulation is a memory disturbance in which a person confuses imagined scenarios with actual memories, with no intent to deceive. This is not what is being described in the question.