Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What describes the overwhelming behavioral response to physiological trauma?

1. Catatonia

2. Hyperactivity

3. Hypervigilance

4. Anxiety disorder

The correct answer is: Hypervigilance

The correct choice describes hypervigilance as an overwhelming behavioral response to physiological trauma. Hypervigilance is characterized by an increased state of sensory sensitivity and heightened awareness, often as a response to perceived threats resulting from trauma. Individuals experiencing hypervigilance are typically on high alert, which is a natural defensive mechanism. This response can manifest as difficulty in relaxing, an exaggerated startle response, and a constant scanning of the environment for potential dangers. The context of this answer is grounded in understanding trauma responses. While catatonia, hyperactivity, and anxiety disorders can be related to trauma, they do not specifically encapsulate the acute, heightened awareness and reactivity seen in hypervigilance. Catatonia refers to a state of unresponsiveness and may occur in severe mental illnesses or affective disorders. Hyperactivity involves an increase in motor activity and does not directly correlate with the response to trauma. Anxiety disorders encompass a broader range of reactions to anxiety-provoking stimuli and may not specifically signify the acute, defensive stance characteristic of hypervigilance.