Question 1

A woman is brought to the emergency department after she was assaulted in a shopping centre parking lot.Her purse was stolen,and she was thrown to the pavement,suffering minor abrasions and contusions.What finding related to the general adaptation syndrome would the nurse expect to find on assessment of the patient?

A) Uncontrolled sobbing
B) Repeatedly describing the attack
C) Hypoglycemia with tremors and hunger
D) Increased blood pressure,pulse,and respirations

Accepted Answer

The general adaptation syndrome is the body's response to stress, which includes three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. During the alarm stage, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, leading to an increase in blood pressure, pulse, and respirations. Therefore, the nurse would expect to find increased vital signs in the patient who experienced an assault. Uncontrolled sobbing and repeatedly describing the attack are common emotional reactions to trauma, but they are not related to the general adaptation syndrome. Hypoglycemia with tremors and hunger may be a symptom of the resistance stage, but it is not likely to be present immediately after the assault.

Question 2

Which of the following is an external factor that affects an individual's response to stress?&#10;A) Sleep status&#10;B) Coping skills&#10;C) Income and social status&#10;D) Personality

Accepted Answer

Income and social status are external factors that can affect how an individual responds to stress. These factors can impact access to resources such as quality healthcare, healthy food options, and social support networks, all of which can impact stress levels. Sleep status, coping skills, and personality are internal factors that can also influence an individual's response to stress.

Question 3

When developing a pathophysiological map for a cognitive appraisal process,what must occur first?&#10;A) A stimulus&#10;B) A patient-identified need&#10;C) Evidence of alteration in cognitive functioning&#10;D) A primary appraisal of the patient and the situation

Accepted Answer

A stimulus is the first step in the cognitive appraisal process as it is required for any further evaluations to occur.

Answer: D 
 A primary appraisal is the first step in the cognitive appraisal process where an evaluation of how the situation or stimulus affects the patient is made, before proceeding with further cognitive evaluations.

Question 4

A hospitalized patient is very anxious about missing work and is afraid he will be fired because of his illness.What effect of stress on the nervous system does the nurse recognize that the patient is experiencing?

A) Sleep disturbances
B) Orthostatic hypotension
C) Increased sensitivity to pain
D) Fluid and electrolyte imbalances

Accepted Answer

Anxiety and stress can lead to sleep disturbances by affecting the normal sleep-wake cycle. Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased levels of adrenaline and cortisol, which can interfere with falling and staying asleep.

Question 5

A middle-aged man is recovering from a heart attack.He tells the nurse he is not surprised he had the attack because his work and home life are very stressful and he feels as if he is going to explode most of the time.What coping behaviours should the nurse suggest that would both increase the patient's resistance to stress and reduce the amount of stress he feels?

A) Changing his job and reorganizing his priorities at home
B) Learning all he can about heart disease and its effects on his body
C) Joining a community group of individuals with heart disease and their families
D) Performing healthy lifestyle behaviours related to diet,sleep,and exercise

Accepted Answer

The nurse should suggest the patient perform healthy lifestyle behaviors related to diet, sleep, and exercise. These behaviors can increase the patient's resistance to stress and improve overall health. While changing his job and reorganizing priorities may be helpful in reducing stress, it may not be feasible or practical for the patient. Learning about heart disease and joining a community group can also be beneficial, but they may not directly address the patient's stress levels.

Question 6

Which complementary and alternative therapy is an ancient strategy that is used to relax and promote mindfulness?&#10;A) Imagery&#10;B) Meditation&#10;C) Acupuncture&#10;D) Music for relaxation

Accepted Answer

Meditation is an ancient strategy that has been used for thousands of years to promote mindfulness and relaxation. It involves focusing your attention on your breath or a mantra and can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It is a popular complementary and alternative therapy used by many people worldwide.

Question 7

According to the general adaptation theory,which of the following occurs when a patient is in the alarm reaction phase?&#10;A) Decreased cardiac output&#10;B) Peripheral vasodilatation&#10;C) Decreased stroke volume&#10;D) Decreased gastrointestinal secretions

Accepted Answer

In the alarm reaction phase of the general adaptation syndrome, the body responds to stress by activating the sympathetic nervous system. This leads to an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels, among other physiological changes. Decreased gastrointestinal secretions are a part of this response, as the body diverts energy and resources away from digestion and towards more critical functions necessary to respond to the stressor.

Question 8

A 40-year-old woman comes to the health clinic requesting sleeping medication and treatment for headaches.She tells the nurse that her husband has moved out to live with another woman.Her 16-year-old son,who has a drug problem,sold her jewellery and electronic equipment.What stress theory is the nurse using in concluding that the woman's life events are contributing to her insomnia and headaches?

A) Stress as a stimulus
B) Stress as a response
C) Stress as a perception
D) Stress as a transaction

Accepted Answer

The "stress as a stimulus" theory considers life events as stressors that can lead to physical and psychological symptoms, such as insomnia and headaches.

Question 9

A patient is scheduled for exploratory abdominal surgery to determine the cause of intermittent abdominal pain that he has had for the past six months.He tells the nurse that it will be a relief to finally have an answer as to the cause of the pain and that he feels relaxed about having the surgery.The nurse concludes that the patient is depicting stress as which type of transaction?

A) He is denying his anxiety about the planned surgery.
B) He will have no physiological response to the surgical procedure.
C) He has a sense of coherence that is able to mediate his stress.
D) He does not perceive that he is lacking adaptive resources for the planned surgery.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient is scheduled for exploratory abdominal...

Question 10

Which initial area is stimulated when an individual experiences stress?&#10;A) Anterior pituitary gland&#10;B) Hypothalamus&#10;C) Adrenal cortex&#10;D) Posterior pituitary gland

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is the initial area stimulated when an individual experiences stress. It triggers the release of hormones that ultimately lead to the release of cortisol from the adrenal gland.

Deck 8: Stress and Stress Management