Chpt 42 Stress & Coping Flashcards
Define stressor
Any event or stimulus that causes an individual to experience stress
What are some sources of stress?
Internal stressors: within a person; infection or depressing.
External stressors:outside the individual;big move to diff city,death in family.developmental stressors. And situational stressors.
Define stress
A condition in which the person experiences changes in the normal balanced state.
define coping and coping strategy(coping mechanism)
dealing with change;
a natural or learned way of responding to a changing environment or specific problem/situation.
what are some disorders that can be caused by stress?
- skin disorders(exzema,psoriasis)
- respiratory disorders(asthma, hay fever, TB)
- CVD(CHF, Hypertension)
- Gi disorders(constipation, diarrhea,anorexia,obesity)
- Menstrual irregularities
What are some effects of stress?
Physical Emotional Intellectual Social Spiritual impacts
Effects of Stress
cont :
- Usually are mixed because stress affects the whole person
- Even good stress can be hard on your health
- Cumulative stress increases risk of health impacts
Stess models
- Assist nurses to predict stressors
- Helps nurse to understand individual’s response
- May use models to assist clients in developing healthy coping strategies
General Adaptation Syndrome(GAS)
- Developed by Selye
- Stress is a nonspecific response of the body to any kind of demand made upon it (physical, social, psychological)
- Stress can be observed only by the changes it produces in the body
- Occurs with the release of adaptive hormones and changes in the body
- 3 stages-alarm reaction,stage of resistance, stage of exhaustion
Alarm Reaction
alerts the body’s defenses
Shock Phase—full tilt “fight or flight”, cascade of “stress” hormones flood the blood stream
Countershock Phase—recovery and normalization
Stage of Resistance:
body adapts and attempts to limit response to the smallest possible (stress ulcers, stress headaches)
Stage of Exhaustion:
adaptation cannot be maintained, extensive generalized consequences to health, physical exhaustion, death if not “rescued” (learn to cope, reduce the stress, etc)
Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome
Homeostasis—alarm—resistance—exhaustion—death or recovery
what are some indicators of stress?
- Physiologic
- Cognitive
- Psychological
Physiologic Indicators of Stress
-THINK SNS-Sympathetic&neuroendocrine systems)
-Pupils dilate
Sweat production increases
Heart rate and cardiac output increase
Skin is pallid
Sodium and water retained
Rate and depth of respiration increase
Urinary output decreases
Mouth may be dry
Peristalsis of the intestines decrease for serious threats
Mental alertness improves
Blood sugar increases
Psychological Indicators of Stress
Angry Short Tempered Depressed Defensive Anxious Fearful Withdrawn
Anxiety
A state of mental uneasiness
Source may or may not be identifiable
Vague
Result of psychological or emotional conflict
Fear
An emotion or feeling of apprehension
Source is identifiable
Definite
Result of a specific physical or psychological entity
Defense Mechanisms
Compensation Projection Rationalization Reaction formation Regression Repression Sublimation Substitution Undoing Denial Displacement Identification Intellectualization Introjection Minimization
Cognitive Indicatorsof Stress
Problem solving Structuring, controlling environment Self-control or self-discipline Suppression Fantasy
Coping strategy is
natural or learned way of responding to changing environment or specific problem or situation
Types of Coping
Problem-focused
Emotion-focused
Both types usually occur together
Problem-focused coping
Efforts to improve situation by making changes or taking action
Emotion-focused coping
Thoughts and actions that relieve emotional distress
Doesn’t improve situation but person feels better
Change thinking around the situation
Coping Mechanisms
Lifestyle changes
Medication
Therapy
Nursing Diagnoses Related to Stress
Anxiety Caregiver Role Strain Compromised Family Coping Decisional Conflict (Specify) Defensive Coping Disabled Family Coping
Fear Impaired Adjustment Ineffective Coping Ineffective Denial Post-Trauma Syndrome Relocation Stress Syndrome
Interventions to Minimize and Manage Stress
Physical Exercise Optimal Nutrition Adequate Rest and Sleep Time Management
Physical exercise
Interventions
Promotes physical and emotional health
60 minutes/day recommended
Optimal nutrition
interventions
Essential for health
Increases resistance to stress
Avoid excesses of caffeine, salt, sugar, fat
Avoid vitamin deficiencies
Sleep
interventions
Restores body’s energy level
May need to use relaxation techniques
Need deep, full cycle sleep
Time management
Interventions
Must address what is important and achievable
Reexamine “should do”, “ought to do”, “must do”
Reducing Client Stress
Other methods include: Listen attentively Provide atmosphere of warmth and trust Convey sense of caring and empathy Include client in plan of care
Reducing Client Stress cont
Other methods include:
Promote feeling of safety and security
Minimize additional stressors
Help with recognition of stressors and coping mechanisms
