Which of the following is a cause for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), except?

NORCET 2 - 2021 (shift-1)

Mental Health Nursing

Medium

Appeared in: NORCET 2 - 2021 (shift-1)

Explanation

Divorce, while a significant and emotionally painful life stressor, does not meet the specific diagnostic criteria for a traumatic event (Criterion A) required for a PTSD diagnosis.
The DSM-5 defines a traumatic event for PTSD as exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence.
Stressors like divorce are more commonly associated with the development of an Adjustment Disorder, which is a maladaptive response to an identifiable stressor.

Option B: This is a classic example of a traumatic event. It involves a direct and immediate threat to one's life and safety, which is a primary trigger for PTSD.
Option C: A serious car accident involves the experience of, or threat of, severe injury or death, which directly aligns with the diagnostic criteria for a PTSD-inducing trauma.
Option D: Receiving a diagnosis for a life-threatening illness like cancer is recognized as a qualifying traumatic event. The perceived threat of death can precipitate PTSD symptoms.

Visual 1: Flowchart: A visual flowchart showing a stressor event at the top. One path branches for 'Threat to life/safety?' leading to 'Potential for PTSD'. The other path for 'No threat to life/safety' leads to 'Potential for Adjustment Disorder/Depression'.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Differentiating traumatic events causing PTSD from other major life stressors as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must be able to differentiate between types of stressors to conduct appropriate mental health screenings. A patient post-robbery requires screening for PTSD, while a patient going through a divorce requires screening for Adjustment Disorder, depression, and anxiety.
Accurate assessment ensures patients are connected to the right resources, whether it's trauma-focused therapy for PTSD or counseling and support for managing life changes.
What if? If the divorce was characterized by severe domestic violence, the traumatic event would be the violence itself (a threat to life and safety), which could indeed cause PTSD. In that case, the violence, not the legal process of divorce, is the qualifying trauma.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative framing of the question by spotting the keyword 'except'. This means you are looking for the option that does not fit with the others.
The core concept is the definition of a 'traumatic event' as it applies to PTSD.
Recall or deduce the specific criteria for a PTSD-causing event: it must involve a threat of death, serious injury, or sexual violence.
Evaluate each option against this criterion: Does it involve a threat to life or physical integrity?
Robbery at gunpoint (Yes), Car Accident (Yes), Diagnosis of cancer (Yes, a threat to life).
Divorce (No, it's an emotional and social stressor, but not typically a direct threat to life). The option that doesn't fit is the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Differentiating traumatic events causing PTSD from other major life stressors.
Stem keywords: post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, cause
Lead-in keywords: except
Negative lead-in flag: The question uses the word 'except', asking you to identify the option that is NOT a cause of PTSD.

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