Coping - Intro to Health Care Concepts - ADN

The pathophysiology student is studying the general adaptation syndrome (GAS). Which statement by the student demonstrates understanding?

"Epinephrine is released in the alarm stage."

The parents of a male child who has been exposed to chronic stress are concerned about the long-term effects that may develop. The best response by the nurse would be:

"Prolonged stress may lead to suppression of growth hormone."

What assessment findings will the nurse attribute to the "fight or flight response"? Select all that apply.

-Increased heart rate -Increased respiratory rate

The nurse provides education about physiologic stressors. The nurse recognizes the education to be effective when the client identifies which physiologic stressors? Select all that apply.

-Rheumatoid arthritis -Excessive protein in the diet -Upper respiratory infection -Outside temperature of 100 degrees

The nurse is caring for a client who appears to be having difficulties coping with a problem that has recently developed. The lack of coping skills has manifested in the client displaying a great deal of anxiety. The nurse should know that in what order the neuroendocrine system responds to an actual or perceived threat? Place in the correct order.

-Stressor -Autonomic nervous system -Hypothalamus/pituitary/adrenal axis -Failure of body systems

When working with a client who is experiencing a stress response, the nurse should anticipate what effects? Select all that apply.

-Tachycardia -Pupil dilation -Diaphoresis

The client is a parent who has just been notified their son was in a motor vehicle accident. The nurse assesses the following reactions of the client over time. Place the reactions in the order of the stages of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS).

-The client's pupils are measured at 5 mm from original 3 mm. -The client's heart rate decreases from 116 to 84 beats/min. -The client reports a feeling of exhaustion. -The client states she feels rested after sleeping.

The nurse is caring for a client who received a new diagnosis of cancer. The client exhibits signs of a sympathetic stress reaction. What signs and symptoms will the nurse assess in this client consistent with an acute reaction to stress? Select all that apply.

-diaphoresis (profuse sweating) -tachycardia -tachypnea

The nurse is evaluating a client and the body's response to a stressful situation. What alterations should the nurse monitor? Select all that apply.

-dilated pupils -increased pulse -inhibited urination

The anatomy and physiology instructor is discussing reactions of the body to stress. According to the instructor, what is responsible for the release of cortisol (hydrocortisone) during times of stress?

Activation of the sympathetic nervous system

What is the term for the change that takes place in response to a stressor?

Adaptation

During which phase of the general adaptation syndrome is the "fight or flight" response activated?

Alarm

The nurse is caring for a client with diabetes who has an infection. The nurse creates a plan of care for the client based on a knowledge of the hypothalamic-pituitary response to stress by including which nursing intervention in the plan of care?

Assessment for hyperglycemia

Which illness has been associated with long-term stress?

Cardiovascular disease

After having a very stressful day in pathophysiology class, the student knows that which hormone (secreted by the adrenal cortex) will help decrease the effects of stress?

Cortisol, a glucocorticoid

A client states that the client has just had an argument with the client's spouse over the phone. What can the nurse expect that the client's sympathetic nervous system has stimulated the client's adrenal gland to release?

Epinephrine

Of the following physiologic stressors, which one is a physical agent?

Heat

A nurse is teaching a client experiencing stress about how relaxation helps to reduce the effects of stress on the body. Which underlying concept would the nurse integrate into the explanation about how relaxation works?

Helps to increase the effects of parasympathetic nervous system on the mind and body

Feelings of dread, high anxiety, or exquisite pleasure can be elicited by stimulation of areas in which structure?

Limbic system

The nurse knows that which statement is true about stress and anxiety?

Stress is the wear and tear that life causes on the body.

The fight-or-flight response is a manifestation of the stress reaction caused by which part of the nervous system?

Sympathetic

The nurse is with a client who has learned that he has glioblastoma multiforme, a brain tumor associated with an exceptionally poor prognosis. His heart rate increases, his eyes dilate, and his blood pressure increases. The nurse recognizes these changes as being attributable to what response?

Sympathetic nervous response

Which component of the stress response functions as the relay center and is important in receiving, sorting out and distributing sensory input?

Thalamus

When explaining to a client admitted for stress-induced supraventricular tachycardia, the nurse will incorporate which statement about what happens in the body as a result of excess stress?

The corticotrophin-releasing factor stimulates the release of norepinephrine, which is responsible for "fight-or-flight" reaction to stress.

The nurse is caring for two clients on the same unit. One client states that cold temperatures and loud noises are stressors. The other client says the temperature is fine and the noises do not bother him. What is the difference between the two clients related to these stressors?

The perception and effects of stressors are highly individualized.

In the stress response, which are functions of the cerebral cortex?

Vigilance, cognition, and focused attention

While conducting the physical assessment of a client, the nurse notes an increase in the blood glucose level. Upon inquiry, the client discloses that lately he has been under a lot of stress at work. Which stage of stress is the client experiencing?

alarm stage

The client arrives at the emergency room reporting symptoms of heart palpitations, tightness in the chest, and epigastric pain after a stressful event. What system will the nurse correlate with the client symptoms?

autonomic nervous system

Nurses should implement measures to relieve emotional stress for clients with hypertension because the reduction of stress

decreases the production of neurotransmitters that constrict peripheral arterioles

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

epinephrine increasing the blood-glucose level.

A client presents to the emergency department following a major traffic accident. Though outwardly there are no apparent physical injuries found, the client is experiencing chest pain and heightened alertness, which the health care worker attributes to the first stage of general adaptation syndrome (GAS). The health care worker concludes the client is experiencing manifestations related to the release of:

epinephrine.

What physiologic events may happen in the alarm phase of General Adaptation Syndrome?

increased sympathetic nervous system stimulation

While walking down the street, a cat jumps out of an alley into the pathway of an adult. They note that the man's heart is "racing." This physiologic response is primarily due to:

secretions of sympathetic neurotransmitters produced in the adrenal medulla

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

stressor

A group of nursing students is learning about the body's response to stress. Which system is responsible for initiating the fight-or-flight response to stress?

sympathetic nervous system