lOMoAR cPSD| 61371432
NUR 256 – Practice Questions on Acute Stress Disorder and
Related Conditions | Questions and detailed Answers complete
Solutions | A+ Graded | 2026 Updates | 100% correct
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has recently experienced a traumatic event. The client reports
feeling numb, detached from reality, and having difficulty recalling the event. Which of the following
symptoms is the client demonstrating?
a) Flashbacks
b) Dissociation
c) Hypervigilance
d) Irritability
2. A client is diagnosed with acute stress disorder (ASD) following a car accident. The nurse should
anticipate which of the following interventions as the priority?
a) Encouraging the client to recall details of the traumatic event
b) Providing a quiet environment to promote relaxation
c) Offering medications to manage anxiety and stress
d) Encouraging participation in group therapy
3. A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with acute stress disorder (ASD). The client is demonstrating
hypervigilance, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. Which of the following should the nurse teach the
client to help manage these symptoms?
a) Avoid all social interactions
b) Practice relaxation techniques and deep breathing
c) Limit physical activity during the day
d) Focus on the negative aspects of the trauma
4. A nurse is teaching a group of clients about the symptoms of acute stress disorder. Which of the
following is a common symptom of ASD that the nurse should include in the teaching? a)
Hallucinations
b) Nightmares
c) Mania
, lOMoAR cPSD| 61371432
d) Auditory disturbances
5. A nurse is caring for a client with acute stress disorder (ASD) who is showing signs of avoidance,
including avoiding reminders of the traumatic event. Which of the following is an appropriate nursing
intervention for this client
a) Encourage the client to discuss the traumatic event immediately
b) Suggest the client confront all reminders of the trauma
c) Support the client in gradually facing reminders of the trauma at their own pace
d) Advise the client to avoid discussing the trauma altogether
6. A nurse is caring for a client with acute stress disorder (ASD) who is experiencing intrusive thoughts
about the trauma. Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize?
a) Teach the client cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques
b) Provide information on the normal course of ASD
c) Encourage the client to suppress intrusive thoughts
d) Reinforce positive coping strategies and emotional support
7.A nurse is assessing a patient who has been diagnosed with PTSD after experiencing a traumatic
event. The nurse is teaching the patient about coping strategies. Which of the following coping
strategies should the nurse encourage the patient to use? (Select all that apply.)
A. Engaging in regular physical exercise
B. Using substances to numb emotional pain
C. Practicing deep breathing and relaxation techniques
D. Engaging in creative activities, such as drawing or writing
E. Avoiding all reminders of the traumatic event
8.A nurse is caring for a patient with PTSD. The nurse is developing a care plan to help the patient
manage symptoms. What is the appropriate order of interventions the nurse should implement to
provide the best care for this patient?
1. Assess the patient’s level of anxiety and stress.15423
2. Educate the patient about the nature of PTSD and available treatments.
3. Encourage the patient to engage in trauma-focused therapy.
4. Teach the patient coping mechanisms such as deep breathing and relaxation.
5. Monitor the patient for signs of substance use or self-harm.
, lOMoAR cPSD| 61371432
9. A 32-year-old veteran with PTSD has been prescribed a new medication regimen that includes an
SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor). Which of the following is the most important action the
nurse should take before the patient starts this medication?
A. Explain the potential side effects of SSRIs, including sexual dysfunction and weight gain.
B. Instruct the patient to take the medication in the morning with food.
C. Assess the patient for suicidal ideation or thoughts of self-harm.
D. Encourage the patient to report any flu-like symptoms.
10. A 45-year-old woman presents to the clinic with symptoms of PTSD after a car accident two
months ago. She reports experiencing flashbacks, nightmares, irritability, and hypervigilance. She also
mentions that she avoids driving or being near cars. The nurse should prioritize which of the following
interventions?
A. Encourage the patient to avoid all reminders of the car accident.
B. Refer the patient for trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
C. Recommend the patient take benzodiazepines to manage anxiety.
D. Advise the patient to talk about the traumatic event frequently to process the memory.
11. A nurse is caring for four patients with PTSD. Which of the following patients should the nurse
assess first?
A. A 28-year-old male who reports difficulty sleeping and hypervigilance.
B. A 45-year-old female who is avoiding reminders of the trauma and isolating.
C. A 55-year-old male who is experiencing flashbacks and disorientation.
D. A 40-year-old female who is tearful and anxious about upcoming therapy.
12. A nurse is working with a patient who has PTSD and has been prescribed cognitive-behavioral
therapy (CBT). Which of the following goals should the nurse identify as the most important during
the initial phase of therapy?
A. Establish trust and a therapeutic relationship with the patient.
B. Encourage the patient to engage in exposure therapy immediately.
C. Provide the patient with relaxation techniques to manage stress.
D. Have the patient recount the traumatic event in detail to facilitate processing.
13.A 30-year-old patient is brought to the emergency department by family members after
experiencing sudden memory loss. The patient cannot remember their name or personal history but is
NUR 256 – Practice Questions on Acute Stress Disorder and
Related Conditions | Questions and detailed Answers complete
Solutions | A+ Graded | 2026 Updates | 100% correct
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has recently experienced a traumatic event. The client reports
feeling numb, detached from reality, and having difficulty recalling the event. Which of the following
symptoms is the client demonstrating?
a) Flashbacks
b) Dissociation
c) Hypervigilance
d) Irritability
2. A client is diagnosed with acute stress disorder (ASD) following a car accident. The nurse should
anticipate which of the following interventions as the priority?
a) Encouraging the client to recall details of the traumatic event
b) Providing a quiet environment to promote relaxation
c) Offering medications to manage anxiety and stress
d) Encouraging participation in group therapy
3. A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with acute stress disorder (ASD). The client is demonstrating
hypervigilance, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. Which of the following should the nurse teach the
client to help manage these symptoms?
a) Avoid all social interactions
b) Practice relaxation techniques and deep breathing
c) Limit physical activity during the day
d) Focus on the negative aspects of the trauma
4. A nurse is teaching a group of clients about the symptoms of acute stress disorder. Which of the
following is a common symptom of ASD that the nurse should include in the teaching? a)
Hallucinations
b) Nightmares
c) Mania
, lOMoAR cPSD| 61371432
d) Auditory disturbances
5. A nurse is caring for a client with acute stress disorder (ASD) who is showing signs of avoidance,
including avoiding reminders of the traumatic event. Which of the following is an appropriate nursing
intervention for this client
a) Encourage the client to discuss the traumatic event immediately
b) Suggest the client confront all reminders of the trauma
c) Support the client in gradually facing reminders of the trauma at their own pace
d) Advise the client to avoid discussing the trauma altogether
6. A nurse is caring for a client with acute stress disorder (ASD) who is experiencing intrusive thoughts
about the trauma. Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize?
a) Teach the client cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques
b) Provide information on the normal course of ASD
c) Encourage the client to suppress intrusive thoughts
d) Reinforce positive coping strategies and emotional support
7.A nurse is assessing a patient who has been diagnosed with PTSD after experiencing a traumatic
event. The nurse is teaching the patient about coping strategies. Which of the following coping
strategies should the nurse encourage the patient to use? (Select all that apply.)
A. Engaging in regular physical exercise
B. Using substances to numb emotional pain
C. Practicing deep breathing and relaxation techniques
D. Engaging in creative activities, such as drawing or writing
E. Avoiding all reminders of the traumatic event
8.A nurse is caring for a patient with PTSD. The nurse is developing a care plan to help the patient
manage symptoms. What is the appropriate order of interventions the nurse should implement to
provide the best care for this patient?
1. Assess the patient’s level of anxiety and stress.15423
2. Educate the patient about the nature of PTSD and available treatments.
3. Encourage the patient to engage in trauma-focused therapy.
4. Teach the patient coping mechanisms such as deep breathing and relaxation.
5. Monitor the patient for signs of substance use or self-harm.
, lOMoAR cPSD| 61371432
9. A 32-year-old veteran with PTSD has been prescribed a new medication regimen that includes an
SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor). Which of the following is the most important action the
nurse should take before the patient starts this medication?
A. Explain the potential side effects of SSRIs, including sexual dysfunction and weight gain.
B. Instruct the patient to take the medication in the morning with food.
C. Assess the patient for suicidal ideation or thoughts of self-harm.
D. Encourage the patient to report any flu-like symptoms.
10. A 45-year-old woman presents to the clinic with symptoms of PTSD after a car accident two
months ago. She reports experiencing flashbacks, nightmares, irritability, and hypervigilance. She also
mentions that she avoids driving or being near cars. The nurse should prioritize which of the following
interventions?
A. Encourage the patient to avoid all reminders of the car accident.
B. Refer the patient for trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
C. Recommend the patient take benzodiazepines to manage anxiety.
D. Advise the patient to talk about the traumatic event frequently to process the memory.
11. A nurse is caring for four patients with PTSD. Which of the following patients should the nurse
assess first?
A. A 28-year-old male who reports difficulty sleeping and hypervigilance.
B. A 45-year-old female who is avoiding reminders of the trauma and isolating.
C. A 55-year-old male who is experiencing flashbacks and disorientation.
D. A 40-year-old female who is tearful and anxious about upcoming therapy.
12. A nurse is working with a patient who has PTSD and has been prescribed cognitive-behavioral
therapy (CBT). Which of the following goals should the nurse identify as the most important during
the initial phase of therapy?
A. Establish trust and a therapeutic relationship with the patient.
B. Encourage the patient to engage in exposure therapy immediately.
C. Provide the patient with relaxation techniques to manage stress.
D. Have the patient recount the traumatic event in detail to facilitate processing.
13.A 30-year-old patient is brought to the emergency department by family members after
experiencing sudden memory loss. The patient cannot remember their name or personal history but is
