Varcarolis 16: Trauma, Stressor-Related, and
Dissociative Disorders
b - Answer- A patient who has been diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder asks, "What
exactly are 'alters'? My health care provider told me I have several of them." Which statement by
the patient illustrates that the education provided has been effective?
a. "Alters are never aware of each other."
b. "Alters are separate personalities that take over during stress."
c. "Alters are based in mysticism and religiosity, such as demons."
d. "Alters are just like me, but they have no memory of the trauma I went through."
d - Answer- A child reared in a minority culture is at greatest risk for:
a. Bullying
b. Homicidal thoughts
c. Eating- and sleep-related disorders
d. Traumatic experiences in early childhood
b - Answer- What information should the nurse give to the family of a patient who has had a
dissociative episode?
a. Brief periods of psychotic behavior may occur
b. Dissociation is a method for coping with severe stress
c. Dissociation suggests the possibility of early dementia
d. Ways to intervene to prevent self-mutilation and suicide attempts
bdef - Answer- The nurse is assessing a young child for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What does the nurse include in the assessment? Select all that apply.
a. Bowel habits
b. Motor function
c. Blood pressure
d. Speech patterns
e. General appearance
f. Characteristics of play
c - Answer- When caring for a child with posttraumatic stress disorder, which intervention should
the nurse include in the patient plan of care?
a. Provide changeable environment.
b. Help patient learn positive avoidance.
c. Reduce stimulation of traumatic memories.
d. Promote arousal to build tolerance to stress.
a - Answer- Which assessment tool does the nurse use while assessing a patient with dissociative
identity disorder?
, a. Somatoform questionnaire
b. Child dissociative checklist
c. Child sexual behavior inventory
d. Posttraumatic stress disorder screening
a - Answer- A patient who is a victim of sexual assault has insomnia, reduced concentration,
anxiety, and recurring thoughts of the event. Which medication does the nurse anticipate being
prescribed for the patient?
a. Clonidine
b. Citalopram
c. Propranolol
d. Desipramine
b - Answer- A nurse works with a patient diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
who has frequent flashbacks as well as persistent symptoms of arousal. Which intervention should
be included in the plan of care?
a. Trigger flashbacks intentionally in order to help the patient learn to cope with them.
b. Explain that the physical symptoms are related to the psychological state.
c. Encourage repression of memories associated with the traumatic event.
d. Support "numbing" as a temporary way to manage intolerable feelings.
d - Answer- Four teenagers died in an automobile accident. One week later, which behavior by the
parents of these teenagers most clearly demonstrates resilience? The parents who
a. visit their teenager's grave daily.
b. return immediately to employment.
c. discuss the accident within the family only.
d. create a scholarship fund at their child's high school
b - Answer- After the sudden death of his wife, a man says, "I can't live without her ... she was my
whole life." Select the nurse's most therapeutic reply.
a. "Each day will get a little better."
b. "Her death is a terrible loss for you."
c. "It's important to recognize that she is no longer suffering."
d. "Your friends will help you cope with this change in your life."
c - Answer- A woman just received notification that her husband died. She approaches the nurse
who cared for him during his last hours and says angrily, "If you had given him your undivided
attention, he would still be alive." How should the nurse analyze this behavior?
a. The comment suggests potential allegations of malpractice.
b. In some cultures, grief is expressed solely through anger.
c. Anger is an expected emotion in an adjustment disorder.
d. The patient had ambivalent feelings about her husband.
Dissociative Disorders
b - Answer- A patient who has been diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder asks, "What
exactly are 'alters'? My health care provider told me I have several of them." Which statement by
the patient illustrates that the education provided has been effective?
a. "Alters are never aware of each other."
b. "Alters are separate personalities that take over during stress."
c. "Alters are based in mysticism and religiosity, such as demons."
d. "Alters are just like me, but they have no memory of the trauma I went through."
d - Answer- A child reared in a minority culture is at greatest risk for:
a. Bullying
b. Homicidal thoughts
c. Eating- and sleep-related disorders
d. Traumatic experiences in early childhood
b - Answer- What information should the nurse give to the family of a patient who has had a
dissociative episode?
a. Brief periods of psychotic behavior may occur
b. Dissociation is a method for coping with severe stress
c. Dissociation suggests the possibility of early dementia
d. Ways to intervene to prevent self-mutilation and suicide attempts
bdef - Answer- The nurse is assessing a young child for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What does the nurse include in the assessment? Select all that apply.
a. Bowel habits
b. Motor function
c. Blood pressure
d. Speech patterns
e. General appearance
f. Characteristics of play
c - Answer- When caring for a child with posttraumatic stress disorder, which intervention should
the nurse include in the patient plan of care?
a. Provide changeable environment.
b. Help patient learn positive avoidance.
c. Reduce stimulation of traumatic memories.
d. Promote arousal to build tolerance to stress.
a - Answer- Which assessment tool does the nurse use while assessing a patient with dissociative
identity disorder?
, a. Somatoform questionnaire
b. Child dissociative checklist
c. Child sexual behavior inventory
d. Posttraumatic stress disorder screening
a - Answer- A patient who is a victim of sexual assault has insomnia, reduced concentration,
anxiety, and recurring thoughts of the event. Which medication does the nurse anticipate being
prescribed for the patient?
a. Clonidine
b. Citalopram
c. Propranolol
d. Desipramine
b - Answer- A nurse works with a patient diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
who has frequent flashbacks as well as persistent symptoms of arousal. Which intervention should
be included in the plan of care?
a. Trigger flashbacks intentionally in order to help the patient learn to cope with them.
b. Explain that the physical symptoms are related to the psychological state.
c. Encourage repression of memories associated with the traumatic event.
d. Support "numbing" as a temporary way to manage intolerable feelings.
d - Answer- Four teenagers died in an automobile accident. One week later, which behavior by the
parents of these teenagers most clearly demonstrates resilience? The parents who
a. visit their teenager's grave daily.
b. return immediately to employment.
c. discuss the accident within the family only.
d. create a scholarship fund at their child's high school
b - Answer- After the sudden death of his wife, a man says, "I can't live without her ... she was my
whole life." Select the nurse's most therapeutic reply.
a. "Each day will get a little better."
b. "Her death is a terrible loss for you."
c. "It's important to recognize that she is no longer suffering."
d. "Your friends will help you cope with this change in your life."
c - Answer- A woman just received notification that her husband died. She approaches the nurse
who cared for him during his last hours and says angrily, "If you had given him your undivided
attention, he would still be alive." How should the nurse analyze this behavior?
a. The comment suggests potential allegations of malpractice.
b. In some cultures, grief is expressed solely through anger.
c. Anger is an expected emotion in an adjustment disorder.
d. The patient had ambivalent feelings about her husband.
