A 29-year-old nurse presents to the PMHNP for evaluation after a traumatic event. Two weeks ago, she was attacked by a patient on the behavioral unit where she works. She says she is having flashbacks about the event and keeps wondering "what could I have done to prevent it?" She has had several panic attacks since the incident, and she is to the point now where she is considering quitting nursing. She says, "I guess I am too weak to be a nurse if I can't handle one attack." What is her most likely diagnosis?

Choice A reason: PTSD is diagnosed when symptoms persist for at least one month after the traumatic event, making it premature at two weeks. Choice B reason: Acute stress disorder occurs within 3 days to 4 weeks after a trauma, with symptoms including flashbacks, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts. The timeline and symptomatology in this case are consistent with acute stress disorder. Choice C reason: Adjustment disorder involves emotional or behavioral symptoms in response to stressors but typically lacks the intrusive and re-experiencing features seen here. Choice D reason: Dissociative identity disorder involves disruption of identity with two or more distinct personality states and is not related to trauma response in this context.