Author Question: A nurse assesses soldiers in a combat zone in Afghanistan. When is it most important for the nurse ... (Read 93 times)

Yolanda · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A nurse assesses soldiers in a combat zone in Afghanistan. When is it most important for the nurse to screen for signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI)?

a. After a fall, vehicle crash, or exposure to a blast
b. Before departing Afghanistan to return to the United States
c. One year after returning to the United States from Afghanistan
d. Immediately upon return to the United States from Afghanistan

Question 2

A soldier served in combat zones in Iraq in 2010 and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. When is it most important for the nurse to screen for signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

a. Immediately upon return to the United States from Afghanistan
b. Before departing Afghanistan to return to the United States
c. One year after returning from Afghanistan
d. Screening should be ongoing

briezy · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The military estimates that up to 20 of the combat veterans in both Afghanistan and Iraq suffer some degree of TBI. TBI exhibits signs shortly after the injury, and these signs usually resolve in days or weeks. Screening after an exposure to an explosion and before returning to the United States is important.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
PTSD can have a long lag time, of months to years. Screening should be ongoing.