Question

A nurse at an inpatient mental health facility is caring for a client who recently experienced a traumatic event.

Vital Signs
0730:
Temperature 36.6° C (97.8° F)
Heart rate 74/min
Respiratory rate 16/min
Blood pressure 118/74 mm Hg
1400:
Temperature 36.9° C (98.4° F)
Heart rate 86/min
Respiratory rate 18/min
Blood pressure 114/78 mm Hg
Nurses' Notes
0730 Admission:
Client was a witness during a recent violent crime at their place of employment. Several of the client's coworkers were killed. The client has been experiencing feelings of guilt and anger.
​1400:
The client continues to express feelings of guilt and anger and states, "I cannot ever go back to work. It is too dangerous." The client also states, "I don't know why I was allowed to survive. It's too painful to talk to my friends and family about what happened."
The nurse is providing teaching to the client. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
A) "It is uncommon for people who survived a traumatic event to experience spiritual distress."
B) "You will have minimal problems performing your daily self-care tasks."
C) "You should seek help if you have thoughts of self-harm."
D) "A support group might be helpful to you during this time."
E) "It is common for people who survived a traumatic event to experience feelings of anxiety."

Answer 1

The following statements that the nurse should include in the teaching are: It is common for people who survived a traumatic event to experience feelings of anxiety, It is uncommon for people who survived a traumatic event to experience spiritual distress, You will have minimal problems performing your daily self-care tasks.

Options (C), (D), and (E) are true.

Step-by-step explanation:

"You should seek help if you have thoughts of self-harm."

- This statement emphasizes the importance of seeking professional assistance if the client experiences thoughts of self-harm, ensuring their safety and well-being.

"A support group might be helpful to you during this time."

- Suggesting a support group acknowledges the benefits of sharing experiences with others who have gone through similar traumas, fostering a sense of understanding and connection.

"It is common for people who survived a traumatic event to experience feelings of anxiety."

- Acknowledging the commonality of anxiety after a traumatic event normalizes the client's emotional response, reducing potential feelings of isolation or abnormality.

Excluding:

"It is uncommon for people who survived a traumatic event to experience spiritual distress."

- This statement is not accurate, as spiritual distress can be a common reaction to trauma.

"You will have minimal problems performing your daily self-care tasks."

- This statement may not be accurate, as individuals experiencing trauma often face challenges in performing daily tasks due to emotional distress.

Thus, options (C), (D), and (E) are true.