PTSD Patient Assessment & Evaluation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an example of a Criterion E (alterations in arousal and reactivity) symptom of PTSD?
- Trauma-related nightmares
- Persistent negative beliefs about the world
- Reckless or self-destructive behavior (Correct answer)
- Avoidance of trauma reminders
Correct answer: Reckless or self-destructive behavior
Reckless or self-destructive behavior is listed under Criterion E as an alteration in arousal and reactivity.
Question 2: When evaluating PTSD symptom duration, DSM-5 requires that symptoms persist for at least:
- 48 hours
- 2 weeks
- 1 month (Correct answer)
- 6 months
Correct answer: 1 month
DSM-5 specifies that PTSD symptoms must be present for more than one month to meet diagnostic criteria.
Question 3: A clinician notes that a patient's PTSD symptoms began 6 months after the traumatic event. This presentation is best described as:
- Acute PTSD
- Delayed-expression PTSD (Correct answer)
- Acute Stress Disorder
- Complex PTSD
Correct answer: Delayed-expression PTSD
DSM-5 specifies a 'delayed expression' specifier when full diagnostic criteria are not met until at least 6 months after the trauma.
Question 4: Which assessment approach is most consistent with trauma-informed care during a PTSD evaluation?
- Requiring the patient to recount all trauma details for accuracy
- Explaining the purpose of screening questions before asking them (Correct answer)
- Using clinical jargon to maintain professional distance
- Completing the full assessment in a single session regardless of distress
Correct answer: Explaining the purpose of screening questions before asking them
Explaining the purpose of questions beforehand builds trust, reduces re-traumatization risk, and reflects trauma-informed principles.
Question 5: The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) is best used in clinical practice as a:
- Definitive diagnostic tool replacing clinical interviews
- Self-report screening and symptom severity measure (Correct answer)
- Measure of functional impairment only
- Biological marker of PTSD
Correct answer: Self-report screening and symptom severity measure
The PCL-5 is a validated 20-item self-report measure used to screen for PTSD and monitor symptom severity over time.
Question 6: Which of the following medical conditions must be ruled out during a PTSD assessment because it can mimic PTSD symptoms?
- Hyperthyroidism (Correct answer)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Chronic kidney disease
- Iron-deficiency anemia
Correct answer: Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism can cause anxiety, hypervigilance, and sleep disturbances that overlap with PTSD symptoms, making it important to rule out.
Question 7: During a PTSD assessment, a patient endorses significant occupational dysfunction. This finding is relevant to which DSM-5 diagnostic criterion?
- Criterion A
- Criterion B
- Criterion F (Correct answer)
- Criterion G
Correct answer: Criterion F
Criterion F requires that the disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
PTSD Patient Assessment & Evaluation 3
Which of the following is an example of a Criterion E (alterations in arousal and reactivity) symptom of PTSD?