Question

The nurse is reviewing the health record of a client who developed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a spouse's cardiac arrest and death. The health record states that the client experienced derealization during the traumatic event. What assessment finding would substantiate this statement?a. The client reports that the client cannot drive down the street where the event occurred

b. The client states that the client cannot remember what happened during and immediately after the event
c. The client reports that the client has become "obsessed" with monitoring the client's own heart rate and blood pressure
d. The client states that the client no longer has any hope for the future

Answer 1

b. The client states that the client cannot remember what happened during and immediately after the event.

Step-by-step explanation:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental condition that is caused after a person witnesses a terrifying or traumatic event. People who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder always seem to be afraid when they are not in any form of danger, and this occurs due to flashbacks or even nightmares of the terrifying event.

Derealization is a situation where a person feels a traumatic event he experienced isn't real, which often leads to loss of memories.

Since the client developed PTSD, and the client's health record states the client experienced derealization during the traumatic event, the best statement from the client to substantiate this assessment is option (b).