Question

A thirty five years old man, who was former Army sergeant and he was involved in a multi vehicle accident on a major highway. He was relatively unhurt, but witnessed several bodies strewn across the road immediately after the accident. This caused him to experience “flashbacks” from an active Army combat zone several years earlier. He begins to have nightmares of the accident and becomes unable to function at home. His wife accompanies him to a Crisis Unit where he is subsequently admitted to the Mental Health Unit of a local hospital with a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Initial Discussion Post: Address the following: What are the most important factors for the RN to assess when dealing with a client who is exhibiting flashbacks? How might the RN foster therapeutic communication with this client? List three common flashback triggers for former military personnel and describe how the RN can assist to decrease the effects. Provide two nursing diagnosis statements (each statement must include an actual nursing diagnosis, related factor and as evidenced by) that might apply to former military personnel experiencing flashbacks.

Answer 1

Most important factors for the RN to assess exhibiting flashbacks from combat:

A.location the client is staying-whether its triggering some flashback e.g living near a quarry where there is rock explosives

B.whether flashback is disturbing sleeping patterns

C.assessment on how trauma symptoms is affect clients’ current functioning

RN foster therapeutic communication:

A. Avoiding digging in to the previous matter that may bring the flashback again

B. Patients should be taught how to evaluate and also change their negative thoughts as they occur.

C. The nurse to allow the patient to relax to decrease agitation of the patient.

Three common flashback triggers for military personnel:

A. Seeing his combat buddies-the nurse should advise the client not change place of residence and form new friends.

B. Loud noises that sound like gunfire-the nurse should advise the client to live in places which are quiet e.g away from mines.

C. War scenes are shown on TV -the nurse should advise the client to avoid such movies.

Two nursing diagnosis:

A..Anxiety related to situational crises and stress as evidenced by restlessness, insomnia, anguish and anorexia.

B. Emotional outrage evidenced by  angry outbursts, and hyper-vigilance.