ATI Physiological & Psychological Responses to Stress Questions

A nurse is assisting in the care of a client who states, "When I am stressed at work, I can't help coming home and arguing with my partner." The nurse should recognize that the client is exhibiting which of the following defense mechanisms? a. Intellectualization b. Projection c. Sublimation d. Displacement

d. Displacement

A nurse is caring for a client who has a history of anxiety and hypertension. The nurse should recommend which of the following relaxation techniques for the client? a. Biofeedback b. Prayer c. Reading a book d. Drawing

a. Biofeedback

A nurse is caring for a client undergoing a procedure and encourages the client to imagine themselves lying on the beach. Which of the following coping styles is the nurse suggesting? a. Guided imagery b. Deep breathing c. Fantasy d. Adjusting expectations

a. Guided imagery

A nurse is caring for a client who is exhibiting hypervigilance and restlessness. The client states, "I need to figure a way out of this mess." The nurse should recognize that the client is most likely in which of the following stages of anxiety? a. Mild b. Moderate c. Severe d. Panic

a. Mild

A nurse is caring for a client who has emphysema and recently reduced their level of activity because they fear developing dyspnea. When teaching the client to use guided imagery, which of the following should the nurse encourage the client to visualize? a. Walking on a beach without using supplemental oxygen b. Sleeping comfortably and soundly, without respiratory distress c. Placing their hand to feel the rise and fall of their chest d. Dangling feet in a pool and taking regular deep breaths

d. Dangling feet in a pool and taking regular deep breaths

A nurse is providing care to a client who was recently involved in a motor-vehicle crash. The nurse should identify that the client is in the moderate stage of anxiety based on which of the following behaviors? a. Answering questions with the response, "I am glad to be alive." b. Becoming unconscious after seeing a video of the accident c. Jumping off the bed and running out the door d. Practicing deep breathing with the nurse

d. Practicing deep breathing with the nurse

A nurse is assisting in planning education for a group of teachers on personality traits. Which of the following traits describes a student who is eager to learn? a. Openness b. Extraversion c. Conscientiousness d. Agreeableness

a. Openness

A nurse is facilitating a group session on adaptive defense mechanisms. The nurse should identify which of the following client statements as examples of adaptive defense mechanisms? SATA a. "When I get stressed out, I like to go to the gym." b. "I volunteer at a local substance use help group." c. "When I get home from school, it's hard to hear things for hours after." d. "When people are mean to me, I am mean right back to them." e. "I was so upset after I failed my exam that I broke my laptop."

a, b

A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing chronic stress. Which of the following does the nurse anticipate that the client will report? SATA a. Increased anxiety b. Recurring sinus infection c. Feelings of depression d. Sudden bursts of energy e. Daily overeating f. Heart palpitations

a, b, c

A nurse is discussing individual and environmental factors of stress response with a group of newly licensed nurses. The nurse should include which of the following as individual factors? SATA a. Perception b. Temperament c. Lifestyle d. Culture e. Religion

a, b, c

A nurse is caring for a client who states, "I am so stressed over my upcoming reunion because I am not as successful as most of my classmates." The nurse should consult a therapist for the client to start which of the following therapies? a. Aversion therapy b. Biofeedback c. Cognitive reframing d. Desensitization therapy

c. Cognitive reframing

A nurse is caring for a client who was in a motor-vehicle crash. The client states, "I had to get home before 6pm so I had to drive really fast." Which of the following defense mechanisms is the client exhibiting? a. Rationalization b. Displacement c. Identification d. Altruism

a. Rationalization

A nurse is discussing risk factors of negative stress responses with a group of clients. The nurse should include which of the following risk factors in the discussion? SATA a. Birth order b. Temperament c. Interpersonal violence d. Health behaviors e. Financial stability f. Sex

b, c, d

A nurse is assisting in the care of a client who attempted to die by suicide. The client is currently undergoing cognitive behavioral therapy. Which of the following statements by the client indicates that the therapy has been effective? a. "I have removed all of the mirrors from my house." b. "I guess I am fortunate to have survived my suicide attempt." c. "It is hard to go out when you know that everyone is laughing at you." d. "At least now when people stare at me, I have enough courage to tell them off."

b. "I guess I am fortunate to have survived my suicide attempt."

A nurse is leading a group of clients in an outpatient setting. The nurse should recognize which of the following client statements as an example of a maladaptive defense mechanism? a. "When I got overly stressed at work, I need to just get out of there and go for a walk at lunch." b. "When my partner yells at the dog I run and hide, but I don't know why I do that." c. "When I am overly stressed, I will just sit and watch a movie to help me relax." d. "Losing my child to cancer is so painful that I decided to raise money for cancer research so nobody else has to go through this."

b. "When my partner yells at the dog I run and hide, but I don't know why I do that."

A nurse in a mental health clinic is observing a client in the day room. The nurse should identify which of the following actions by the client as a maladaptive defense mechanism? a. The client is sitting down and is painting a picture b. The client tells another client that all of the therapists are mean c. The client crumbles up their paper and throws it across the room d. The client is talking about starting a fundraiser for other people who lost everything in a fire

b. The client tells another client that all of the therapists are mean

A nurse is providing teaching about stress with a client. The nurse should identify that which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching? a. "My stressors will all go away when I retire." b. "My stress could be related to my culture." c. "My attitude about my stressor can influence my coping." d. "I can decrease my stress by getting a job."

c. "My attitude about my stressor can influence my coping."

A nurse is caring for a client in a clinic. The client states, "I am overwhelmed by stress." Which of the following should the nurse identify as the highest priority question to ask the client? a. "Do you have any relatives who have problems with stress?" b. "How much physical activity do you typically get in a day?" c. "What kinds of things do you find helpful for coping with your stress?" d. "How much sleep do you get each night?"

c. "What kinds of things do you find helpful for coping with your stress?"

A nurse is assisting in the care of a client whose partner recently died. The client asks, "Do you think meditation helps with stress?" Which of the following responses should the nurse make? a. "Here are some meditation techniques that I use to help with stress." b. "There is no clinical evidence that meditation helps, but it wouldn't hurt." c. "You may find meditation gives comfort and lowers your stress." d. "Using meditation along with another effective coping strategy may help you."

c. "You may find meditation gives comfort and lowers your stress."

A nurse is assisting in the care of a client who states, "My cardiologist told me that I need to reduce stress. What is the best way for me to do that?" Which of the following responses should the nurse make first? a. "Physical exercise has been shown to be beneficial in reducing stress." b. "Self-help books are a good way to learn strategies to reduce stress." c. "It might be a good idea for you to try painting to help reduce your stress." d. "Tell me more about the stressors that you are facing in your life."

d. "Tell me more about the stressors that you are facing in your life."

A nurse is educating a group of clients on the concept of hardiness. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching? a. "The foundation of hardiness is the ability to fixate on a stressor in an effort to suppress negative thinking." b. "Hardiness is a personality trait that refers to how a person reacts to world around them." c. "Hardiness is a genetic predisposition that is non-modifiable." d. "The foundation of hardiness is a positive self-perception and attitudes of hopefulness."

d. "The foundation of hardiness is a positive self-perception and attitudes of hopefulness."

A nurse is caring for a client who has been newly diagnosed with a terminal illness and is experiencing significant stress. The client states, "Do you think a prayer would help?" Which of the following statements should the nurse make? a. "It could be that prayer is your only hope." b. "We do not have evidence that prayer helps, but it wouldn't hurt." c. "I can help you feel calmer by teaching you meditation exercises." d. "You may find prayer gives comfort and lowers your stress."

d. "You may find prayer gives comfort and lowers your stress."

A nurse is teaching about physiological responses to stress with a group of clients. The nurse should include which of the following short-term physiological changes in the teaching? SATA a. Increase in muscular tension, blood pressure, and triglycerides b. Increase in heart rate and respiratory rate c. Corticosteroid release increases stamina and impedes digestion d. Cortisol release increases glycogenesis and reduces fluid loss e. Increased immune system function f. Increased risk of depression, autoimmune disorders, and heart disease

a, b, c, d

A nurse is caring for a client who is exhibiting manifestations of anxiety. Which of the following manifestations would the nurse expect to see increase during the client's fight or flight response? a. Blood pressure b. Heart rate c. Respiratory rate d. Bowel sounds e. Pupillary response

a, b, c, e

A nurse is leading a group of clients who are using the Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory Scale to self-assess stressors in their life. Which of the following findings indicates the highest degree of stress? a. A client who has reported being assigned more responsibility at work b. A client with children who will be relocating to a new city for work c. A client who is returning to college following the loss of their job d. A client who is recently separated from their spouse

c. A client who is returning to college following the loss of their job

A nurse is teaching a client about potential risks of chronic stress. Which of the following conditions should the nurse include as a potential risk? a. Peripheral vascular disease b. Diabetes c. Seizures d. Meningitis

b. Diabetes

A nurse is reinforcing education to a client who is afraid of heights and is planning to drive across a high bridge. The nurse should identify that which of the following structures stimulates the automatic nervous system? a. Thalamus b. Hypothalamus c. Parietal lobe d. Pituitary gland

b. Hypothalamus