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Tori is the nurse working with Carter and other members of the community after the tornado. As the weeks go by, she begins to feel anxious and distressed. She speaks to her nurse mentor about her feelings. Which of the following may Tori be experiencing?

A. Reactionary grief
B. Maturational crisis
C. Vicarious traumatization
D. Transference

1 Answer

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Final answer:

C. Vicarious traumatization. Tori is likely experiencing vicarious traumatization, which is a form of trauma that helpers can develop from empathy with those who have faced traumatic events.

Step-by-step explanation:

The feelings of anxiety and distress that Tori is experiencing after working with community members affected by a tornado may be indicative of vicarious traumatization. This occurs when a person, such as a healthcare provider, develops trauma symptoms from exposure to the distressing experiences of others, in this case, the survivors of the tornado.

Unlike reactionary grief or maturational crisis, vicarious traumatization can happen due to the cumulative effect of working with those who have experienced trauma. It is different from transference, which is the projection of the nurse's unconscious feelings onto the patient. Therefore, Tori may benefit from interventions such as counseling or self-care strategies to mitigate the impact of vicarious traumatization.

Tori, the nurse working with the community after the tornado, may be experiencing vicarious traumatization. This occurs when individuals, such as healthcare professionals, absorb the trauma and stress experienced by those they are helping.

Witnessing the suffering of others, especially in the aftermath of a disaster, can lead to emotional distress and symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder. Seeking support from a mentor is a positive step to cope with these feelings. Vicarious traumatization emphasizes the importance of self-care and psychological support for healthcare professionals dealing with the emotional challenges of helping those in crisis.

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