NCJ Number
202556
Journal
On The Edge Volume: 9 Issue: 3 Dated: Fall 2003 Pages: 4-7
Date Published
2003
Length
4 pages
Annotation
After noting that forensic nurses may be among the first health care professionals to encounter people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), this article discusses PTSD in the context of various cultural influences, PTSD symptoms, related disorders, and nursing interventions for PTSD patients.
Abstract
Forensic nurses are likely to encounter people suffering from PTSD because of their role in investigating traumatic events and interviewing victims in a wide variety of scenarios. In dealing with immigrant refugees, forensic nurses should be aware of the high levels of physical and psychological dysfunction that accompany the first 2 years of resettlement. Symptoms of PTSD can be grouped into three symptom clusters: symptoms of intrusion, symptoms of avoidance, and symptoms of increased arousal. Disorders related to PTSD are adjustment disorders, which relate to the development of significant emotional and behavioral symptoms and responses to an identifiable psychosocial stressor; factitious disorders, which involves the intentional production of physical or psychological signs and symptoms; and malingering, which is the intentional production of false or grossly exaggerated symptoms. The forensic nurse who suspects a patient has PTSD should inform the legal or law enforcement personnel with whom he/she is working of suspicions and concerns. The nurse should ensure that the victim is referred for proper treatment. The victim should be given a sense of safety. Nurses can guide the victim through relaxation and self-soothing exercises while he/she recounts the experience. 11 references