Final answer:
Five-year-old Aurora is likely suffering from nightmares, as they are distressing dreams that can follow a traumatic event like a car accident. Nightmares are different from night terrors as they can be remembered and cause awakening from REM sleep. The correct answer is a) Nightmares.
Step-by-step explanation:
Five-year-old Aurora is likely suffering from nightmares after being involved in an auto accident. Nightmares are distressing dreams that commonly occur in the aftermath of a traumatic event. Unlike night terrors, which occur during the NREM phase of sleep and leave no memory of the event, nightmares are vivid, upsetting dreams that often wake the sleeper and can be recalled. These dreams often result in the individual waking up from the REM phase of sleep, which is the stage that includes vivid dreams.
On the other hand, sleep apnea involves episodes where breathing stops during sleep, often resulting in increased fatigue, but it is not directly related to experiencing distressing dreams post-trauma. Similarly, sleepwalking involves engaging in activities during sleep, but it is not characterized by distressing dreams or memories of the events. Therefore, based on Aurora's distressing dreams following the car crash, nightmares are the most likely diagnosis. So, the correct answer is a) Nightmares.