A nurse is creating a plan of care for a client who has posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?

Choice A reason: Assigning the same staff promotes consistency, trust, and therapeutic rapport. Clients with PTSD often struggle with hypervigilance and mistrust. Familiar caregivers reduce anxiety, provide stability, and help the client feel safe, which is essential for recovery. Choice B reason: Allowing privacy during flashbacks is unsafe. Flashbacks can cause disorientation, panic, or self-harm behaviors. The nurse should remain present to provide grounding techniques and reassurance, ensuring the client’s safety during these episodes. Choice C reason: Discouraging expression of trauma feelings is harmful. Clients with PTSD benefit from therapeutic communication and opportunities to process their experiences. Suppressing emotions can worsen symptoms and hinder recovery. Choice D reason: Addressing the client in an authoritative manner increases anxiety and can trigger trauma responses. PTSD clients require calm, respectful, and supportive communication to avoid re-traumatization.