The nurse is working with a client who is suspected of having posttraumatic stress disorder after witnessing a violent crime. What statement by the client's spouse would suggest that the client is experiencing hyperarousal?

The client should show signs of increased anxiety, panic and easily startled with sudden noise or disturbances.

Explanation:

Hyperarousal  is a symptom of post traumatic stress disorder characterised with excessive  anxiety,easy startled  with  sudden  noise,lack of concentration,difficulty in getting  sleep, aggressiveness etc.

A Post traumatic stress disorder refer to  neurological condition which  arise  as a result of  flashback or reflection of occurrences  from exposure to a traumatic events( accidents, assaults, environmental disaster, military experiences etc.).

Hyperarousal disrupts the normal  daily activities, interaction with immediate family and friends; reduces productivity at work,  and lead to seclusion in the society.

Therefore client should be easily startled, panic or demonstrated  frequent anxiety,irritability as reported by the client's spouse for the nurse to conclude that hyper arousal symptoms is  what the client is experiencing.

Behavioural cognitive therapy, medication and desensitization are the methods of  curing this disorder.