ELITE COMPREHENSIVE
VARCAROLIS -SEXUAL ASSAULT AND RAPE TRAUMA
SYNDROME
COMPREHENSIVE TRAUMA AND PSYCHIATRIC
NURSING INTERVENTIONS
NCLEX-RN • ATI • HESI HIGH-YIELD MASTER REVIEW
SPRING SEMESTER EXAMINATION MAY 2026
1. The nurse at a university health center leads a dialogue with female freshmen about
rape and sexual assault. One student says, "If I avoid strangers or situations where I am
alone outside at night, I'll be safe from sexual attacks." Choose the nurse's best
response.
a.
"Your plan is not adequate. You could still be raped or sexually assaulted."
b.
"I am glad you have this excellent safety plan. Would others like to comment?"
c.
"It's better to walk with someone or call security when you enter or leave a building."
d.
"Sexual assaults are more often perpetrated by acquaintances. Let's discuss ways to
prevent that."
• D
1|Page
, • Females know their offenders in almost 70% of all violent crimes
committed against them, including rape. The nurse should share this
information along with encouraging discussion of safety measures.
The distracters fail to provide adequate information or encourage
discussion.
2. A woman was found confused and disoriented after being abducted and raped at
gunpoint by an unknown assailant. The emergency department nurse makes these
observations about the woman: talking rapidly in disjointed phrases, unable to
concentrate, indecisive when asked to make simple decisions. What is the woman's
level of anxiety?
a.
Weak
c.
Moderate
b.
Mild
d.
Severe
• D
• Acute anxiety results from the personal threat to the victim's safety
and security. In this case, the patient's symptoms of rapid, dissociated
speech, inability to concentrate, and indecisiveness indicate severe
anxiety. Weak is not a level of anxiety. Mild and moderate levels of
anxiety would allow the patient to function at a higher level.
3. After an abduction and rape at gunpoint by an unknown assailant, which assessment
finding best indicates that a patient is in the acute phase of the rape-trauma syndrome?
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, a.
Decreased motor activity
c.
Flashbacks and dreams
b.
Confusion and disbelief
d.
Fears and phobias
• B
• Reactions of the acute phase of the rape-trauma syndrome are
shock, emotional numbness, confusion, disbelief, restlessness, and
agitated motor activity. Flashbacks, dreams, fears, and phobias are
seen in the long-term reorganization phase of the rape-trauma
syndrome. Decreased motor activity by itself is not indicative of any
particular phase.
4. A nurse interviews a patient abducted and raped at gunpoint by an unknown
assailant. The patient says, "I can't talk about it. Nothing happened. I have to forget."
What is the patient's present coping strategy?
a.
Compensation
c.
Projection
b.
Somatization
d.
Denial
3|Page
VARCAROLIS -SEXUAL ASSAULT AND RAPE TRAUMA
SYNDROME
COMPREHENSIVE TRAUMA AND PSYCHIATRIC
NURSING INTERVENTIONS
NCLEX-RN • ATI • HESI HIGH-YIELD MASTER REVIEW
SPRING SEMESTER EXAMINATION MAY 2026
1. The nurse at a university health center leads a dialogue with female freshmen about
rape and sexual assault. One student says, "If I avoid strangers or situations where I am
alone outside at night, I'll be safe from sexual attacks." Choose the nurse's best
response.
a.
"Your plan is not adequate. You could still be raped or sexually assaulted."
b.
"I am glad you have this excellent safety plan. Would others like to comment?"
c.
"It's better to walk with someone or call security when you enter or leave a building."
d.
"Sexual assaults are more often perpetrated by acquaintances. Let's discuss ways to
prevent that."
• D
1|Page
, • Females know their offenders in almost 70% of all violent crimes
committed against them, including rape. The nurse should share this
information along with encouraging discussion of safety measures.
The distracters fail to provide adequate information or encourage
discussion.
2. A woman was found confused and disoriented after being abducted and raped at
gunpoint by an unknown assailant. The emergency department nurse makes these
observations about the woman: talking rapidly in disjointed phrases, unable to
concentrate, indecisive when asked to make simple decisions. What is the woman's
level of anxiety?
a.
Weak
c.
Moderate
b.
Mild
d.
Severe
• D
• Acute anxiety results from the personal threat to the victim's safety
and security. In this case, the patient's symptoms of rapid, dissociated
speech, inability to concentrate, and indecisiveness indicate severe
anxiety. Weak is not a level of anxiety. Mild and moderate levels of
anxiety would allow the patient to function at a higher level.
3. After an abduction and rape at gunpoint by an unknown assailant, which assessment
finding best indicates that a patient is in the acute phase of the rape-trauma syndrome?
2|Page
, a.
Decreased motor activity
c.
Flashbacks and dreams
b.
Confusion and disbelief
d.
Fears and phobias
• B
• Reactions of the acute phase of the rape-trauma syndrome are
shock, emotional numbness, confusion, disbelief, restlessness, and
agitated motor activity. Flashbacks, dreams, fears, and phobias are
seen in the long-term reorganization phase of the rape-trauma
syndrome. Decreased motor activity by itself is not indicative of any
particular phase.
4. A nurse interviews a patient abducted and raped at gunpoint by an unknown
assailant. The patient says, "I can't talk about it. Nothing happened. I have to forget."
What is the patient's present coping strategy?
a.
Compensation
c.
Projection
b.
Somatization
d.
Denial
3|Page
