title: Nursing care of posttraumatic stress disorder after anesthesia awareness.
abstract: Anesthesia awareness can cause adverse psychological symptoms in patients after surgery. Although rare, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been documented in surgical patients who have a history of previous trauma or maladaptive coping patterns. Plastic surgical nurses should assess all patients for anesthesia awareness postoperatively, recognize the diagnostic criteria of PTSD, and offer support of psychiatric referrals if indicated.
authors.affiliation: Rutgers College of Nursing, 180 University Ave, Newark, NJ 07102, USA. mrankin@rutger.edu
authors.forename: Marlene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rankin
authors.forename: Carrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carretta
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jaroszynski
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D001364:Awareness; D015984:Causality; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004645:Empathy; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology