Question

After witnessing a brutal murder of four bank guards 3 months ago, Laura continues to have nightmares and jumps at any loud noise. At the health clinic where you work, she tells you that she does not sleep well at night and cannot stop thinking about the traumatic event.

If Laura is diagnosed with PTSD, identify other signs and symptoms you might notice. Besides her symptoms, what would you include in your assessment in order to plan effective interventions for Laura?

What type of therapeutic communication interview techniques would you use? Why did you choose these?

List three interventions, besides medications, that have been found to help patients with PTSD.

What medication might alleviate her symptoms?

Answer 1

Answer: Patients with PTSD shows symptoms such as:

• agitation,
• hostility
• Flashback
• self-destructive behaviour
• Hallucinations

To plan effective interventions for Laura, it is important to provide counseling, knowing the depth of understanding level as well as eliminating the fear.

The therapeutic communication interview technique involves the questions that can reveal about the stressful condition, the depth of disturbance as well as thinking ability. This provides ethical and emotional support to the patient.

This provides the information about the patient's level of consciousness, the indulgence of verbal and non verbal communication can bring out the fear from the patients.