Deck 13: Coping and Stress

Question 1

What does a person experience as stress increases? (Select all that apply.)

A) Widened focus
B) Decreased problem-solving ability
C) Indecisiveness
D) Irrational behavior
E) Attention to detail

Answer 1

Decreased problem-solving ability
Indecisiveness
Irrational behavior

Question 2

When is it appropriate for the nurse to encourage a patient to use the problem-focused approach to reduce stress? (Select all that apply.)

A) To confront a stressor
B) To use emotional distancing to alter perception of the stressor
C) To develop alternative coping skills
D) To identify all stressors
E) To practice a strategy with small stressors

Answer 2

To confront a stressor
To use emotional distancing to alter perception of the stressor
To develop alternative coping skills
To practice a strategy with small stressors

Question 3

What symptoms would indicate depression in an older adult who has recently been admitted to a long-term care facility? (Select all that apply.)

A) Appetite changes
B) Weight loss
C) Complaints of minor physical ailments
D) Sleep disturbances
E) Taking part in only one social activity a day

Answer 3

Appetite changes
Weight loss
Complaints of minor physical ailments
Sleep disturbances

Question 4

What is the intent of problem-focused coping strategies?

A) To eliminate the cause of stress
B) To deny the cause of stress
C) To repress the response to stressors
D) To use prescription drugs to alter perception of the problem

Question 5

The timid, newly admitted 84-year-old widow has stayed in her room at the long-term care facility listening to her radio, which is playing loud jazz, and has been lying in bed fully clothed. How can the nurse help to relieve the resident's stress related to the relocation?

A) Insist that she come out and interact with other residents.
B) Turn her radio to a more soothing station.
C) Bring two other residents into the room to socialize with her.
D) Encourage her to verbalize feelings related to relocation.

Question 6

The nurse is aware that the use of a defense mechanism is a normal response to stress. When does a defense mechanism become problematic?

A) When more than one defense mechanism is used at a time
B) When the defense mechanism is used for longer than 1 week
C) When the defense mechanism is used excessively
D) When the defense mechanism is used until a more durable coping mechanism is formed

Question 7

When are stress-related physical, behavioral, and cognitive changes more likely to occur?

A) When the stress has a sudden onset
B) When stress is low level but constant
C) When stress is varied and cumulative
D) When stress is suppressed or denied

Question 8

In general adaptation syndrome (GAS), what is the stage after the first alarm reaction has been successfully resolved in which body systems return to normal?

A) Regeneration
B) Resistance
C) Restoration
D) Reorganization

Question 9

What is a positive effect of mild stress?

A) Indecision
B) Excessive alertness
C) Inability to focus
D) Ineffective in problem solving

Question 10

How does physical illness increase stress in the older adult?

A) It is an acceptable reason to request assistance.
B) It takes away energy to cope with new stressors.
C) It stimulates the family to be more attentive.
D) It causes additional medications to be ordered.

Question 11

What is true of an older adult who used coping skills effectively during his younger years?

A) He will continue to use the same skills without modification.
B) He will modify old skills and develop new ones.
C) He will be at a loss when different types of stresses present themselves.
D) He will be resistant to learning new skills.

Question 12

An 80-year-old man recently became widowed, moved into a long-term care facility, and had to quit driving. He complains of fatigue and is irritable when questioned about his health. What would be the most appropriate action of the nurse?

A) Suggest he take a daytime nap and go to bed early.
B) Report the complaints as expected adjustments to relocation.
C) Approach him to talk about his perceptions related to his relocation.
D) Suggest that he find some quiet time in the facility's library and read a book.

Question 13

The nurse assesses a behavior as a sign of depression in the newly admitted resident to a long-term care facility when the resident exhibits disorganization and displays which behavior?

A) frequently comes to breakfast only partially dressed.
B) eats excessive amounts of food at mealtime.
C) socializes with only three or four other residents.
D) arranges daily activities in order to watch Jeopardy at 4:30.

Question 14

The student sitting in class waiting for the final examination develops nausea and excessive gas. What is a probable cause of these symptoms?

A) Increase in the blood glucose level
B) Increase in heart rate
C) Reduction of peristalsis
D) Decrease in adrenalin

Question 15

The nurse is assessing an older adult who has been recently admitted to the long-term care facility. The resident has become active in the facility, goes to every activity, carefully makes her bed every day, does jigsaw puzzles, and chats with tablemates at mealtime. What defense mechanism is the resident exhibiting?

A) Projection
B) Rationalization
C) Intellectualization
D) Substitution

Question 16

How does the body respond physically to stress?

A) Decreased heart rate
B) Decreased production of digestive enzymes
C) Decreased blood glucose levels
D) Decreased blood pressure

Question 17

Which statement by a patient could be related to symptoms of stress?

A) "I have to urinate every 10 minutes, and there are only a few drops."
B) "I haven't had to urinate for the past 8 hours."
C) "I void large amounts of urine every 2 hours."
D) "My urine has absolutely no color. It looks like water."

Question 18

The 80-year-old man who is experiencing stress because visual loss has caused him to quit driving says, "I have friends and family who will be my transportation. I can still get around and I'll have entertaining company." What coping mechanism is the man using?

A) Confrontation
B) Escape
C) Emotional distancing
D) Avoidance

Question 19

A woman is in the emergency department after a car wreck. She is breathing rapidly and complains of dizziness and tingling in her extremities. She says, "I think I'm having a heart attack!" The nurse is aware that the symptoms may be related to which of the following?

A) A transient ischemic attack
B) Hyperventilation
C) Hypotension
D) Asthma

Question 20

Why is depression a common symptom in older adults who have been admitted to a long-term care facility? (Select all that apply.)

A) Their usual coping skills have been overwhelmed.
B) They think that they have no family support.
C) They have self-knowledge that will enable them to cope with new situations.
D) They find support of self-worth through activities and making new friends.
E) They actively seek assistance to reduce depression.

Question 21

What are the positive effects of geriatric massage? (Select all that apply.)

A) Improved circulation
B) Increased range of motion
C) Reduction of anxiety
D) Increased sexual potency
E) Improved mobility

Question 22

When is avoidance an effective stress reducer? (Select all that apply.)

A) When the stressor has great personal significance
B) When the outcome of the event will not be affected
C) When the stressor is not a frequently recurring event
D) When continued avoidance does not add stress
E) When avoidance does not diminish the self-image

Question 23

The nurse explains that according to the general adaptation syndrome theory, if coping skills do not resolve the initial alarm response, the body becomes depleted of its reserve and the person enters the __________ stage.

Question 24

What methods for coping with stress would be included in a teaching session with a group of older adults? (Select all that apply.)

A) Meditation
B) Talking with family and friends
C) Swimming
D) Alcohol use in moderation
E) Massage therapy

Question 25

When are older adults at a greater risk for stress-related problems? (Select all that apply.)

A) When there is a chronic illness
B) When they have suffered the loss of a spouse
C) When they have relocated
D) When their income is reduced
E) When they have general adaptation syndrome

Question 26

Why is it important for the newly admitted patient to be included in his care-planning session? (Select all that apply.)

A) So he can maintain some degree of control
B) So he can reject the care plan
C) So he can voice his preferences
D) So he can improve his problem-solving capabilities
E) So he can gain insight to overall goals of care

Question 27

The nurse explains that a Japanese stress reduction strategy that increases the energy of life force by laying-on of hands is called __________.