A woman who was sexually assaulted a month ago presents to the emergency department with reports of recurrent nightmares, fear of going to sleep, repeated vivid memories of the sexual assault, and inability to feel much emotion. Which medical problem will the nurse expect to see documented in the chart?

Choice A reason: Acute stress disorder occurs within one month of trauma, with symptoms like nightmares and dissociation. However, symptoms persisting beyond one month, as in this case, indicate PTSD. The patient’s presentation aligns with chronic trauma effects, making PTSD the more likely diagnosis over acute stress disorder. Choice B reason: General adaptation syndrome describes the body’s physiological response to stress (alarm, resistance, exhaustion). It is not a psychiatric diagnosis and does not account for trauma-specific symptoms like nightmares or emotional numbing. This is unrelated to the patient’s psychological response, making it incorrect. Choice C reason: PTSD is characterized by persistent symptoms beyond one month post-trauma, including nightmares, intrusive memories, avoidance, and emotional numbing, matching the patient’s presentation. Sexual assault is a common trigger, and the nurse would expect this diagnosis documented due to the chronicity and specificity of symptoms. Choice D reason: Alarm reaction is the initial phase of general adaptation syndrome, involving acute stress response like fight-or-flight. It is not a diagnosis and does not explain chronic psychological symptoms like recurrent memories or emotional detachment, making it irrelevant to the patient’s trauma-related condition.