The nurse is caring for a war veteran who states, "It should have been me that died. I'll never forgive myself for leaving my buddy when he needed me." The nurse recognizes this statement is most associated with which of the following diagnoses?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The statement made by the war veteran suggests feelings of guilt and remorse for leaving a buddy in a dangerous situation, which is a common symptom of PTSD. Option A is incorrect because obsessive-compulsive disorder involves recurrent, intrusive thoughts or behaviors that are not necessarily related to past traumatic events. Option B is incorrect because generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive worry about a wide range of topics, whereas the veteran's statement is focused on a specific event. Option C is incorrect because bipolar depression involves fluctuating moods and energy levels, which do not seem to be present in the veteran's statement.

The Nurse Is Caring for a War Veteran Who States