Final answer:
Marcy's car accident is an example of an acute stressor, a brief but potentially overwhelming event that can lead to high stress or even PTSD.
Step-by-step explanation:
Marcy's experience of being in a car accident is an example of an acute stressor. Acute stressors involve brief, focal events that can be overwhelming, such as an automobile accident.
This contrasts with chronic stressors, which persist over a longer period, such as ongoing financial difficulties or long-term caregiving. Marcy's situation falls under the category of traumatic events which can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) if the individual's reaction to the stressor is sufficiently severe and persistent.