A 26-year-old woman presents to the psychiatric-mental health nurse (PMHNP) for an evaluation. She has a history of trauma and reports weekly flashbacks, depression, startle responses, severe anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. Which medication is FDA-approved for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Choice A reason: Fluoxetine is an SSRI that may be used off-label for PTSD, but it is not specifically FDA-approved for this condition. Choice B reason: This is correct. Sertraline is an SSRI and one of the first-line medications approved by the FDA for PTSD treatment, demonstrating efficacy in reducing core PTSD symptoms. Choice C reason: Mirtazapine is not FDA-approved for PTSD but may be used off-label to target sleep disturbances or depressive symptoms. Choice D reason: Lamotrigine is a mood stabilizer used primarily for bipolar disorder and not FDA-approved for PTSD management.