Answer: 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.