Exposure to trauma can impact someone in many ways. A person who has been exposed to trauma can have a hard time trusting others. This could mean they have a hard time trusting friends, or even healthcare workers. If they do not feel comfortable in a heath care setting, they are not able to be open to receiving the needed care. When consequences of being exposed to trauma lead to mistrust, it also can mean that they will have a hard time connecting with people. This creates isolation for this person which can lead to many other adverse consequences. Some long-term impacts that a person can get after being exposed to trauma include insomnia, GI issues, breathing difficulties, and pain.
As a healthcare professional, it is important to apply trauma-informed care to these patients. As a nurse, it is important to be honest with them about how much time you are going to spend with them, why it is important to be asking them questions, and what you plan on doing with the information they give you. It is best to incorporate brief and open-ended questions to gain the appropriate amount of information. When asking questions, it is important to understand that adverse experiences can not only come from the trauma itself, but the experiences around the trauma. This could include what they did before and after the event and the support systems they had available to them at that time. It is also good practice to ask permission before touching and to alert them each time. These are simple and important ways to being establishing rapport with the patient and being able to provide them with the best care possible.
