The nurse preparing to teach a patient diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) about recommended psychotherapy and psychopharmacology will discuss:

Choice A reason: Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on interpersonal relationships, not trauma-specific processing, and is less effective for PTSD’s amygdala-driven fear memories. Mirtazapine enhances serotonin and norepinephrine but lacks strong evidence for PTSD, as it primarily addresses depression by modulating alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, not trauma-specific neural hyperactivity. Choice B reason: Dialectical Behavior Therapy targets emotional regulation for personality disorders, not PTSD’s trauma-specific memories. Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine, enhances GABA activity but is not recommended for PTSD, as it may suppress rather than process trauma-related amygdala hyperactivity, risking dependency and impairing long-term recovery. Choice C reason: Cognitive Processing Therapy restructures trauma-related cognitive distortions, reducing amygdala hyperactivity and enhancing prefrontal control in PTSD. Sertraline, an SSRI, increases serotonin levels, stabilizing mood and reducing hyperarousal by modulating amygdala-prefrontal circuits, making it a first-line treatment for PTSD’s neurochemical and cognitive symptoms. Choice D reason: Applied Behavior Analysis is used for autism, not PTSD, and does not address trauma-related neural changes. Atomoxetine, a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, targets ADHD by enhancing prefrontal norepinephrine but lacks efficacy for PTSD’s amygdala-driven fear responses, making it unsuitable for trauma treatment.