Psychosocial Aspects of Trauma Flashcards
6 cards from real TNCC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Psychosocial Aspects of Trauma flashcards as text
A trauma nurse has been involved in resuscitating a child who died from injuries. Which response by the charge nurse best supports the staff nurse's well-being?
Answer: Offering a brief debriefing session and connecting the nurse with peer support resources
A brief debriefing session and peer support resources provide immediate emotional support, normalize the grief response, and connect the nurse with ongoing resources if needed.
Which behavior in a trauma patient is most suggestive of an acute stress response?
Answer: Hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, and emotional numbness
Hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, and emotional numbness are hallmarks of the acute stress response, a normal psychological reaction to traumatic events.
A domestic violence victim presents with injuries inconsistent with the stated mechanism. The most appropriate nursing action is:
Answer: Document the inconsistency, interview the patient privately, and provide domestic violence resources
The nurse should document inconsistencies objectively, interview the patient privately (without the suspected abuser present), screen for domestic violence, and provide resources while respecting patient autonomy.
Compassion fatigue in trauma nurses is best described as:
Answer: Emotional and physical exhaustion resulting from the cumulative impact of caring for trauma patients
Compassion fatigue is the emotional and physical cost of caring for traumatized patients over time, resulting in diminished ability to empathize, emotional exhaustion, and decreased job satisfaction.
When communicating with the family of a critically injured trauma patient, which approach is most therapeutic?
Answer: Providing honest, timely updates in clear language while demonstrating empathy
Honest, timely, empathetic communication using clear language helps families understand the situation, maintain trust, and begin processing the traumatic event.
A patient who survived a severe motor vehicle collision repeatedly states 'I should have died in that accident.' This statement may indicate:
Answer: Survivor's guilt and potential risk for post-traumatic stress disorder
Statements reflecting survivor's guilt — feeling that one should have died instead of or along with others — are associated with increased risk of PTSD and require psychological assessment and support.