Which of the following describes a situational crisis?

The description of a situational crisis is accurately represented by the choice highlighting an external event that causes immediate distress. Situational crises are typically triggered by specific events that are usually sudden, unexpected, and beyond a person's control, such as natural disasters, accidents, or sudden loss. These events create a significant disruption in an individual's life, leading to immediate emotional and psychological distress that requires coping strategies for resolution.

In contrast, the other options refer to different types of crises. For example, life transition crises are often linked to developmental stages or predictable changes, such as adolescence or retirement, which occur gradually and can be anticipated. Similarly, developmental issues refer to challenges that emerge during specific phases of life that are integral to personal growth. Predictable life changes are anticipated transitions that, while they may still be stressful, do not usually trigger the acute distress characteristic of a situational crisis. Therefore, option B effectively captures the essence of a situational crisis by emphasizing the immediate and external nature of the distressing event.