Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

Which of the following is an example of a situational crisis?

1. Loss of a job

2. Public speaking anxiety

3. Divorce

4. Chronic illness

The correct answer is: Divorce

A situational crisis arises from an external event or situation that significantly disrupts an individual's life, prompting psychological or emotional distress. A divorce is a clear example of this as it often involves the sudden breakdown of a relationship, associated loss of support systems, changes in identity, and potential financial instability. The emotional turmoil and the need to navigate a new life after separation exemplify the disruptions typically encountered in a situational crisis. In contrast, the other scenarios presented, while certainly challenging, do not fit the definition of a situational crisis in the same way. Loss of a job can also represent a situational crisis, but it is often more related to economic factors rather than personal relational change. Public speaking anxiety is an internal challenge rather than an external event, and chronic illness, while severely impactful, tends to be an ongoing condition rather than a sudden crisis situation. Therefore, considering the nature and impact of these events, divorce stands out as the quintessential example of a situational crisis.