TCRN Psychosocial Aspects of Trauma Care 3

Question 1

When providing end-of-life care to a trauma patient whose family is present, which nursing action best supports the family?

Accepted Answer

Allow family presence during resuscitation if desired, assign a dedicated nurse as family support, and provide regular updates

Answer

Ask the family to wait outside during all care activities to maintain privacy

Answer

Limit information to the next of kin only and discourage questions

Answer

Initiate family meetings only after the patient dies

Question 2

Grief following traumatic death of a patient is a normal response for trauma nurses. Which statement about nurse grief is true?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledging grief and participating in debriefs or memorials promotes resilience and reduces burnout

Answer

Nurses who grieve patient deaths are not suited for trauma nursing

Answer

Nurse grief should always be expressed openly in front of patients

Answer

Grief in nurses only becomes problematic if it lasts more than 24 hours

Question 3

A patient with a substance use disorder is admitted after trauma. Which approach best reflects trauma-informed, non-stigmatizing care?

Accepted Answer

Treat withdrawal and pain proactively, use respectful language, and involve addiction medicine consultants as appropriate

Answer

Withhold pain medication to avoid worsening addiction

Answer

Document 'drug-seeking behavior' in the chart to alert future providers

Answer

Discharge as soon as medically stable without referral

Question 4

When a trauma patient expresses suicidal ideation with a specific plan, the nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Immediately implement safety measures, remove means if possible, notify the provider, and initiate a psychiatric emergency evaluation

Answer

Ask the patient to promise not to act on the plan and document the conversation

Answer

Reassure the patient that things will improve and continue routine care

Answer

Consult social work but delay psychiatric evaluation until the morning

Question 5

Which factor most commonly contributes to delayed PTSD diagnosis in trauma survivors seen in the emergency setting?

Accepted Answer

Focus on physical injuries and time constraints leading to inadequate psychosocial screening

Answer

Lack of validated PTSD screening tools

Answer

Patients consistently refuse to answer mental health questions

Answer

Emergency nurses are not trained to identify PTSD symptoms

Question 6

The trauma nurse's role in organ donation notification when a patient is dying includes which responsibility?

Accepted Answer

Providing compassionate support to the family, ensuring notification of the organ procurement organization (OPO) per hospital protocol

Answer

Making the final decision about organ donation on behalf of the family

Answer

Discussing donation only if the patient has a donor card on their person

Answer

Avoiding the topic until the patient is officially declared dead