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PTSD — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

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HardPsychiatry (Outpatient Management)PTSDUSMLE Step 3

A 39-year-old veteran has nightmares, intrusive memories, hypervigilance, avoidance, and irritability ten months after combat trauma. He has no psychosis or substance-use disorder. What is the best next treatment?

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Correct answer: C — Offer trauma-focused psychotherapy with shared planning for PTSD symptoms

The syndrome is PTSD, for which trauma-focused psychotherapy is first-line. Benzodiazepines and routine antipsychotics do not replace evidence-based trauma therapy.

Reference: Department of Veterans Affairs: Overview of Psychotherapy for PTSD: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/txessentials/overview_therapy.asp