Trauma-informed nursing — recognizing and responding
Lesson 3 of 4 in Cultural Safety, Indigenous Patients & Trauma-Informed Nursing · 22 minutes
Trauma-informed care is now central to Canadian nursing. This lesson covers what trauma is, how it presents, and how nurses adapt their practice.
What you'll learn
- Recognize trauma presentations in clinical settings
- Apply six principles of trauma-informed care
- Avoid re-traumatizing patients
- Support trauma survivors during medical procedures
From the lesson
Trauma is widespread. Most patients have experienced significant trauma at some point — abuse, accidents, violence, war, displacement, illness, loss. Healthcare encounters can re-trigger trauma if not handled carefully. This lesson covers trauma-informed nursing — what it means and how to practice it.
1. What trauma is and how it presents
Trauma: • An event or series of events that overwhelms a person's coping. • Includes both 'big T' trauma (combat, assault, disaster) and 'little t' trauma (chronic stress, neglect, repeated minor harm). • Effects can be acute (immediate) or chronic (long-lasting). • Affects body, brain, behavior, relationships.
Common types: • Childhood abuse or neglect. •…