You are discussing treatment options with a patient who has been diagnosed with a new health problem.
Which statement would indicate that the patient is empowered to make an informed decision?

Choice A rationale:

Using children to send messages to the former spouse can cause emotional distress to the children.

Choice B rationale:

Professional counseling can provide children with a safe space to express their feelings and learn coping strategies.

Choice C rationale:

Changing the children’s schools can add to their stress and disrupt their routine.

Choice D rationale:

Limiting the children’s contact with the other parent can deprive them of a loving relationship unless there are safety concerns. .

Choice A rationale:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. It’s not a stress-related disorder.

Choice B rationale:

Acute stress disorder (ASD) occurs immediately after a traumatic event, not a year later.

Choice C rationale:

Episodic acute stress involves frequent bouts of stress, not flashbacks of a traumatic event.

Choice D rationale:

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder characterized by failure to recover after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. The condition may last months or years, with triggers that can bring back memories of the trauma accompanied by intense emotional and physical reactions, such as flashbacks, as described in the scenario.