Certified Hospice and Palliative Assistant (CHPNA) Practice Test

What are common signs of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

1. Increased happiness and calmness

2. Anxiety, intrusive memories, and distressing dreams

3. Frequent social interactions

4. Loss of interest in topics of past interest

The correct answer is: Anxiety, intrusive memories, and distressing dreams

The presence of anxiety, intrusive memories, and distressing dreams characterizes common signs of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Individuals dealing with PTSD often experience heightened levels of anxiety as a response to reminders of the traumatic event. Intrusive memories, which may occur as flashbacks or uncontrollable thoughts about the trauma, are a hallmark symptom and indicate the distress that can arise when recalling the event. Additionally, distressing dreams, or nightmares related to the trauma, can disrupt sleep patterns and further exacerbate anxiety. In contrast, feelings of increased happiness and calmness, frequent social interactions, and a lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities do not align with the typical symptoms of PTSD. Increased happiness would generally suggest emotional stability rather than the distress characteristic of PTSD. Frequent social interactions may reflect a compensatory behavior rather than a symptom of the disorder. Lastly, while loss of interest in past interests can occur in various mental health conditions, it is not specific to PTSD and is instead more prominently associated with depression.