Adjustment Disorder (AD)

Adjustment Disorder (AD) ( 8 Questions)

A nurse is reviewing the diagnostic criteria for adjustment disorder with a group of nursing students. The nurse explains that one of the criteria is that the symptoms must appear within how many months of exposure to the stressor?


Correct Answer: A

Choice A rationale:

Symptoms of adjustment disorder must appear within one month of exposure to the stressor. This time frame helps differentiate adjustment disorder from other mental health conditions that might have a longer onset period, such as major depressive disorder.

Choice B rationale:

Three months is a longer period than the typical onset for symptoms of adjustment disorder. The correct time frame is within one month to establish a clear connection between the stressor and the subsequent emotional and behavioral responses.

Choice C rationale:

Six months is beyond the specified time frame for the appearance of symptoms in adjustment disorder. The shorter time frame of one month is more relevant to this diagnosis.

Choice D rationale:

Twelve months exceeds the appropriate time frame for diagnosing adjustment disorder. The focus is on the relatively short period of one month for symptoms to manifest after exposure to a stressor.




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