Trauma-Nursing III-Test 4

When caring for patients, we should assume that:

every patient may have experienced trauma

PTSD is defined as

exposure to a traumatic event with symptoms that last more than 1 month after the event

-this event is experienced or witnessed by the individual in person

manifestations of PTSD

flashbacks

intrusive thoughts

nightmares

avoidance of reminders

hypervigilance

hyperarousal

depressed mood

explain how PTSD can be different in children

children may re-experience the trauma through play or drawings and have intense emotions

explain how PTSD can be different in adolescents

they might be disruptive or disrespectful, or show destructive behavior or substance abuse

explain how PTSD can be different in older adults

trauma may have occurred earlier in life; may have more somatic symptoms

populations that are vulnerable to abuse include:

children (to age 18)

elderly

disabled people

incarcerated people

risk factors for abuse

age-very young and very old

sex: more women in elderly and intimate partner violence

physiologic development (physical disabilities)

culture

pregnancy

social risk factors (poverty, substance abuse)

Signs of abuse in children include:

emotional regression

behavioral problems

wary of adults

bruises in odd shapes

recurrent injuries

skeletal deformities

recurrent UTI

manifestations of sexual abuse

pain/itching genitals

torn or bloody undergarments

injuries to genitalia

weight changes

pregnancy

inappropriate sexual behaviors

regression

isolation

hiding sexuality

effects of abuse in adults

eating/sleeping disturbances

memory lapses

difficulty making decisions

guilt/shame

self harm

alcohol abuse

depression

crying

anxiety

what are nurses mandated to report?

suspected abuse of children, older adults, and adults with disabilities, firearm injuries, certain diseases

collaboration with SANE

-do not ask patient to change into a hospital gown

-if patient needs to use the restroom before SANE arrives, collect a urine specimen and save it

-avoid asking about details of the assault