Question 1

A client is using prayer to assist in relieving stress. The use of prayer allows the client to:

Accepted Answer

The ability to cope is a crucial element that influences well-being.

Question 2

An adolescent entering high school voices anxiety over changing schools. Stating anxiety is an act of:

Accepted Answer

Adaptation is generally considered a person's capacity to flourish and survive, even with diversity.

Question 3

A high school student comes to the nurse's office to discuss the student's anxiety regarding an upcoming test. This test-taking anxiety is a(an):

Accepted Answer

Stress, coping, and adaptation are interrelated. Survival depends upon successful coping responses to ordinary and sometimes extraordinary circumstances and challenges.

Question 4

In human beings, the physiologic response to a stressor includes the:

Accepted Answer

Homeostasis in physiologic systems is maintained within a narrow range around a set point through continual changes in internal processes. Adjustments in heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, fluid and electrolyte balance, blood glucose concentration, and blood oxygen level occur automatically to maintain proper system functioning and survival.

Question 5

During the stress response in human beings, the primary hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex is:

Accepted Answer

Cortisol is the main glucocorticoid hormone from the adrenal cortex. Cortisol affects glucose metabolism, which is necessary for increased energy expenditure.

Question 6

A middle-age woman's father has passed away, and her mother requires physical and emotional help due to disabilities. The woman is married and raising two children, along with working full time. All of the factors described are:

Accepted Answer

Stress is defined as any event or set of events (a stressor) that causes a response. Everyday triggers associated with work or social relationships, and uncommon events such as natural disasters, physical trauma, injuries, illnesses, divorce, death of a loved one, or loss of a job are commonly recognized stressors.

Question 7

To assess the coping abilities of a first-time mother who expresses to the nurse that she is feeling overwhelmed by the needs of her newborn, the nurse should ask the client about her:

Accepted Answer

An individual's subjective interpretation of an event must be known before interventions can be chosen. Knowing the nature of potential stressors provides the means of anticipating problems and their related psychological reactions. The extent of activation of physiologic responses and subsequent recovery to daily hassles is important to a person's health, because accumulated allostatic responses may adversely affect the body.

Question 8

A young woman who has just started college is 6 weeks into the semester and has several tests and assignments due in approximately 3 days. She has developed a sore throat and fever. The development of illness is related to:

Accepted Answer

Chronic stress is associated with immunosuppression.

Question 9

Which action demonstrates a coping mechanism to deal with anxiety produced by a very demanding, yet well-paying job?

Accepted Answer

The person may respond by limiting his or her emotional response, taking direct action to solve a problem, or using defense mechanisms. Medications are not considered to be coping mechanisms.

Question 10

An example of a long-term coping strategy is:

Accepted Answer

Long-term coping mechanisms are positive, constructive ways of dealing with stress and can be effective over long periods.

Question 11

During an interview, the client states, "When my stress is really high, I have diarrhea." The physiologic response affects:

Accepted Answer

Because the physiologic response to stress is an activation or arousal response, the nurse should ask about fatigue, adequacy of sleep, level of physical activity, and bowel elimination patterns.

Question 12

The client asks the nurse to explain stress and its effect on the body. Which will the nurse include? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Stress is part of our lives from the time we are developing in utero through death. Stress is an ever-present component of our physical and social environments. Although stress predominately has a negative overtone, it can be a positive experience as well. Good stress, or eustress, is when a sense of accomplishment or even exhilaration is felt with overcoming a challenge or obstacle.

Question 13

An adult receives a call from his or her bank stating his or her account is overdrawn and a significant fee has been assessed. The adult would have an initial reaction of:

Accepted Answer

The initial reaction to a potentially stressful situation is appraisal. Appraisal is the process of interpreting a situation and determining if it is a stressor.

Question 14

A young mother has accidentally locked her keys in her car with her baby strapped in the car seat. In a panic, the mother summons help from a lock-out service. This action would be considered:

Accepted Answer

Coping can be problem focused (taking actions to directly work with the event or situation causing the stress) or emotion focused (finding ways to lessen the feelings of anxiety and angst triggered by the stressful event).

Question 15

During acute stress, the body secretes cortisol. Cortisol has which effect on mood?

Accepted Answer

Under acute stress, cortisol is protective of mood, whereas under chronic stress, it is associated with depression and anxiety.

Question 16

The nurse is explaining the body's response to a stressful situation. The nurse includes which manifestation? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

During a stressful situation, the excitatory actions will cause pupil dilation, increased heart rate and force of contraction, bronchial dilation, and stimulation of converting glycogen to glucose. These inhibitory effects include decreasing digestive function, inhibiting insulin secretion from the pancreas, and preventing urination.

Question 17

The grief and angst following a stressful event is sometimes described as:

Accepted Answer

Stress is unavoidable. The resulting feelings of angst and grief are sometimes labeled distress.

Question 18

A dancer has suffered a fall injury, which will prevent participation in a much-anticipated event. The fall is classified as what?

Accepted Answer

A stressor can be a number of things, including environmental changes, alterations in routine activities of daily living, unexpected traumas, or tragedies.

Question 19

A young woman, who has recently suffered acute stress, asks the nurse why she seems to be more sensitive to stress than her husband. The nurse explains that a contributor to this phenomenon is:

Accepted Answer

Women have higher levels of estrogen, which are associated with greater sensitivity to stress and a tendency towards being emotionally supportive and building meaningful relationships.

Question 20

A client is discussing stressors with the nurse and is describing feeling better after taking a brisk walk. The client's action is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Adaptation is the process of adjusting to, or accommodating, a stressor. Appraisals involve the subjective evaluation of a potential stressor. Buffering is something that reduces the intensity of stress.

Quiz 41: Stress, Coping, and Adaptation