Scenario 4: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Background:
A 40-year-old male veteran presents with flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance related to his combat experiences. He reports feeling emotionally numb and avoids situations that remind him of the trauma. He has difficulty trusting others and struggles with irritability and anger, which is affecting his family life.
Role-Playing Exercise:
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NP’s Role: As the NP, your goal is to assess the severity of the patient’s PTSD symptoms while creating a safe space for him to talk about his trauma if he’s ready. You might begin with open-ended questions and reassure him that his feelings are valid.
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Patient’s Role: The patient might express discomfort talking about the trauma but will likely respond to empathetic listening.
Discussion Prompts:
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How can you gently assess the severity of his trauma symptoms without pushing him to disclose more than he’s comfortable with?
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What are the potential benefits of trauma-focused therapy (such as Cognitive Processing Therapy or EMDR) for this patient?
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How do you explain the potential role of medications (e.g., SSRIs) in managing PTSD symptoms?
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How do you address concerns regarding family dynamics and the patient’s emotional withdrawal?
