A nurse is assessing a client admitted for severe anxiety following a sexual assault that occurred during adolescence. To evaluate for subjective symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which question is most appropriate for the nurse to ask?

A. "Have you noticed any changes in your physical health since the incident?": While physical symptoms may accompany PTSD, this question assesses general health rather than subjective re-experiencing symptoms, which are central to the disorder. B. “Do you ever experience nightmares or flashbacks related to the trauma?": This question directly addresses hallmark subjective symptoms of PTSD, including intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and flashbacks. It allows the client to describe personal experiences of re-experiencing the trauma. C. "Have you been able to talk with your family about what happened to you?": This question evaluates social support and coping, which is relevant for treatment planning but does not directly assess subjective PTSD symptoms. D. "Can you describe the events of the assault in detail for documentation?": Requesting a detailed recount may be retraumatizing and is not necessary for assessing subjective symptoms. It focuses on factual documentation rather than the client’s current experiences and distress.