A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). He states, "I don't care what the doctors say, there is no way I can have HIV, and I don't need treatment for something I don't have." The nurse identifies that the client is experiencing which of the following types of crisis?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Situational crisis. The client's denial of the HIV diagnosis and refusal of treatment indicate an acute crisis triggered by a specific event or situation - the new HIV diagnosis. In a situational crisis, individuals struggle to cope with a sudden and unexpected event, leading to cognitive dissonance and emotional distress. The client's disbelief and avoidance of the reality of the diagnosis demonstrate a maladaptive response to the crisis. Adventitious crisis (A) refers to events like natural disasters, which are not applicable here. Internal crisis (B) involves inner conflicts, not evident in this scenario. Maturational crisis (C) arises from developmental life stages, which is not the case here.