Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Practice Questions
14 free Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) practice questions for the NCLEX Exam. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which of the following is not a required criterion for diagnosing Post‑Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
- A Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence
- B Presence of intrusive memories, nightmares, or flashbacks of the event
- C Onset of symptoms more than 60 days after the traumatic event
- D Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma
Correct answer: Onset of symptoms more than 60 days after the traumatic event
The diagnostic criteria require exposure to trauma and symptoms such as intrusions, avoidance, negative changes in mood/cognition, and arousal lasting more than 1 month, not specifically more than 60 days.
In a group therapy setting for PTSD, what is one key benefit of peer support among members with similar trauma experiences?
- A It removes the need for any individual one-on-one therapy
- B It fosters isolation by narrowing talk to trauma topics only
- C It can reduce stigma and improve self-esteem and functioning
- D It guarantees that trauma symptoms will never return again
Correct answer: It can reduce stigma and improve self-esteem and functioning
Peer support groups for mental health can lead to improved outcomes such as reduced hospitalization, larger social support networks, and better self-esteem and functioning.
Which therapy approach is commonly used in PTSD and involves repeated reliving or exposure to trauma memory in a therapeutic context?
- A Psychodynamic therapy only
- B Prolonged exposure therapy
- C Play therapy
- D Electroconvulsive therapy
Correct answer: Prolonged exposure therapy
Prolonged Exposure Therapy is an evidence-based PTSD treatment involving imaginal and in vivo exposures to trauma reminders, aimed at reducing fear response.
During a group session for PTSD clients, a nurse notes one client frequently jumps at loud noises and avoids group discussions about the trauma. Which PTSD symptom cluster do these behaviours represent?
- A Intrusion symptoms
- B Negative alterations in cognition and mood
- C Hyperarousal and reactivity
- D Dissociative symptoms
Correct answer: Hyperarousal and reactivity
Jumping at loud noises and avoidance of group discussions reflect hyperarousal/reactivity and avoidance behavior, core clusters of PTSD.
A client in a PTSD group therapy states: “I don’t want to talk about what happened, it’s too painful.” The best initial nursing response is:
- A “You should always talk about it or you will never heal.”
- B “I hear this is painful. Share whenever you feel ready.”
- C “Let us avoid your trauma in this group from now on.”
- D “You simply need to push past it and stop dwelling.”
Correct answer: “I hear this is painful. Share whenever you feel ready.”
The nurse acknowledges the client’s feelings, offers an option to share when ready, and respects readiness—appropriate therapeutic communication in PTSD care.
Which medication class is first-line for managing PTSD symptoms in many cases?
- A Tricyclic antidepressants exclusively
- B Benzodiazepines as monotherapy
- C Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- D High-dose antipsychotics only
Correct answer: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are commonly considered first-line pharmacotherapy for PTSD due to evidence of efficacy in reducing core symptoms of intrusion, avoidance, and mood alterations.
Which of the following is a primary prevention strategy for PTSD in populations exposed to disaster or trauma?
- A Routinely prescribing SSRIs to all survivors right after trauma
- B Providing psychological first aid and early stabilization
- C Beginning long-term group therapy before any symptoms appear
- D Delivering prolonged exposure therapy before the trauma occurs
Correct answer: Providing psychological first aid and early stabilization
Providing early interventions like psychological first aid reduces the risk of developing full-blown PTSD by addressing initial distress.
What demographic factor is known to increase risk for developing PTSD after trauma?
- A High social support
- B Previous trauma exposure
- C Younger age only
- D Access to mental health care immediately
Correct answer: Previous trauma exposure
Previous trauma exposure is a known risk factor for PTSD development; whereas high social support and timely mental health access typically reduce risk.
In group modalities for PTSD treatment, what is the meaning of “psychoeducation” in that context?
- A Coaching the group to formally self-diagnose their disorders
- B Educating members about trauma responses and coping strategies
- C Convincing members that they will never recover from trauma
- D Using dense medical jargon to intimidate the participants
Correct answer: Educating members about trauma responses and coping strategies
Psychoeducation involves teaching survivors about trauma reactions, normalizing symptoms, and introducing coping mechanisms—a key adjunct in PTSD group therapy.
A client with PTSD tells group members: “I always feel unsafe, even at home.” In planning, what is the nurse’s highest priority?
- A Encourage the client to simply ignore the unsafe feeling
- B Assess current risk of harm to self or others and safety
- C Ask the group to reassure the client that home is safe
- D Redirect the session toward a lighter, easier subject
Correct answer: Assess current risk of harm to self or others and safety
PTSD hypervigilance and feelings of unsafety may reflect risk; safety assessment is a nursing priority before therapeutic content.
Which statement is true regarding avoidance behaviors in PTSD and their impact in group therapy?
- A Avoidance always speeds recovery by preventing any distressing emotions
- B Avoidance maintains PTSD symptoms by blocking exposure to safe trauma reminders
- C Avoidance has no role in maintaining or worsening PTSD symptomology
- D Avoidance behaviors arise only within individual, never group, therapy
Correct answer: Avoidance maintains PTSD symptoms by blocking exposure to safe trauma reminders
Avoidance is a core PTSD symptom and by avoiding trauma reminders, clients may prevent processing of trauma and maintain symptoms rather than recover.
A nurse observes a group member with PTSD has become socially withdrawn, blames self, and reports guilt related to the trauma. These symptoms belong to which PTSD cluster?
- A Hyperarousal and reactivity symptoms
- B Intrusion and re-experiencing symptoms
- C Negative alterations in cognition and mood
- D Dissociative and depersonalization symptoms
Correct answer: Negative alterations in cognition and mood
Self-blame, guilt, and withdrawal are part of negative alterations in cognition and mood, one of the PTSD symptom clusters.
In a group mental-health setting focusing on PTSD, why is it important to include coping-skills training (e.g., relaxation, grounding) alongside trauma processing?
- A They replace trauma processing entirely and make it unnecessary
- B They reduce distress, improve emotional regulation, and support trauma work
- C They confuse clients and undermine their progress in the group
- D They benefit only the nurse leading the group, not the clients
Correct answer: They reduce distress, improve emotional regulation, and support trauma work
Coping skills training helps reduce immediate distress and enable clients to engage safely in trauma processing work, enhancing group therapy effectiveness.
A nurse is leading a PTSD support group and one member begins to dissociate (zoning out, unresponsive). What is the best nurse response?
- A Leave the client alone until they spontaneously return to alertness
- B Halt the group and require every member to immediately share feelings
- C Gently reorient the client to the present using grounding, ensuring safety
- D Raise your voice and shame the client for dissociating in front of others
Correct answer: Gently reorient the client to the present using grounding, ensuring safety
Dissociation is common in PTSD; the nurse should use grounding techniques to bring safety and orientation, ensuring the client’s stability before continuing.