Maegan's Exam #4 - Stress & Anxiety Flashcards
What is an event or stimulus that causes an individual to experience stress?
Stressor
What is a condition in which the person experiences changes in the normal balanced state?
Stress
What are some sources of stress?
Death of Family Member
Marriage or divorce
Birth of a child
New job
Illness
What are some young adult stressors?
Marriage
Leaving home
Managing a home
Getting started in occupation
Continuing ones occupation
Children
What are some middle adult stressors?
Physical changes of aging Maintaining social status and standard of living Helping teenage children become independent Aging parents
What are some stressors for older adults?
Decreasing physical abilities & health Changes in residence Retirement and reduced income Death of spouse or friends
What kinds of stress are there?
Internal
External
Situational
What is General adaptation syndrome?
It is a chain or pattern of physiological events
What does your body release to deal with stress?
3 things - Pg. 1081 Box 42-2
Epinephrine
Norepinephrine
Cortisone
(Leading to fight or flight response)
What are the 3 stages of stress?
- Alarm
Stressor is perceived. Homeostasis slightly drops as the mind and body temporarily lose balance - Resistance
Adaptation resources are mobilized to combat stressor. Endocrine system comes into play - Exhaustion
Adaptation and energy stores are depleted. When replensished, body returns to homeostasis
During the assesment of stress what are some of the physical indicators?
Pg. 1082 Box on top right of page
Pupils Dilate
Diaphoresis (Sweating)
Heart rate increases
Skin color is pallid (Pale)
BC constriction of peripheral bloodvessels
Increase of sodium and water
Increase of rate and depth of respirations
During the assessment of stress what are some of the emotional indicators?
Pg. 1082-1083
Anxiety
Fear
(Feeling of apprehension)
Depression
(Feeling of sadness)
Anger
(Feeling of strong displeasure)
Use of ego defense mechanisms
(Emotional Response)
What are some assessments of “MILD” Anxiety?
Pg. 1083 Box 42-2
Mild Restlessness
Productive for most part
Increase in BP, HR due to sympathetic response
Exessive Talking
Nailbiting
Fidgeting
Affect is Positive
(Gotta do something about this)
Increased Alertness/Awareness
Logical & Critical thinking pops in
Able to problem solve
(Cant sit still)
What are some assessments of “MODERATE” Anxiety?
Pg. 157 in Workguide (Chart)
Muscle tension
Diaphoresis
Pupils Dilated
Pounding pulse, BP and Breathing Rate
Sweating of Palms
Tension/Fear/Shakiness
Attention focused on issue of concern
(Able to shut of irrelevant data)
You need a little help to problem solve
Learning can occur but takes more time
Sense of Helplessness
apprehensive expectation
Vigilance and irritability
(A little edge: Ex. I cant do it, I just cant do it)
What are some assesments of “SEVERE” stress?
FIGHT OR FLIGHT
Dry Mouth
Numbness of extremities
Confused
Distress/Trembling
Sensory perception greatly reduced
Can only focus on small details
Learning CANNOT occur nor can problem solve
Illogical noncritical thinking
Dyspnea
Dizziness
Fear of going crazy
Visual disturbances
Motor tension with hyperactivity
What are some assesments of “PANIC”?
Hallucinations
Out of touch with Reality
Emotionally overwhelmed
May regress to primitive coping behaviors
Responds only to internal distress
Cannot focus even with help
Perception limited to one detail that is blown out of proportion or rapid observation of scattered details
Learning is IMPOSSIBLE
Feelings of impending doom or death
Chest pain
Terror
DO NOT LEAVE THEM ALONE
At this stage they are likely to hurt themselves
What is the definition of ego defense mechanisms?
It is an unconscious mechanisms to protect the person from anxiety
It is what our body naturally does
Denial is usually what comes 1st
What is a crisis?
It is immediate, sudden events
Short term (6-10 Weeks)
It is the inability to make coping mechanisms work and give relief
What is your primary responsibility to help a patient in crisis?
CRISIS INTERVENTION
You have to know what flipped the switch and figure out a way to eliminate the stressors
Abusive woman leaving husband
(Help with shelter, food cost, etc)
What are some Interventions a Nurse can do/teach to minimize stress, anxiety and crisis?
Benzodiazepines
Teach Relaxation
Music Therapy
Aromatherapy
Accupuncture
Exercise
Meditation
STAY WITH CLIENT
(Valum, Adavan, Xanax)
What is a good outcome for stress/anxiety?
Client’s anxiety level will be at a level (2, 3, 4) by end of shift today.
(Vital signs are a good way to check this)
What is Buspar?
It is an anxietylitic
For long term management of anxiety
Teach:
It takes a while to take effect
2-3 weeks to begin to take effect
What are some examples of Benzodiazepines?
Valum
Adavan
Xanax
What would you teach about Benzodiazepines?
Do not take with Alcohol
Don’t just stop taking it
It is an Anticholergenic
A client expresses to the nurse that she constantly feels irritated and loses her temper. During the course of the interview, the nurse finds that the client takes care of her mother who was confined to bed following a stroke. The client struggles to balance caring for her family and her mother. Which nrusing diagnosis would the nurse most likely identify for this client?
a) Compromised family adjustment
b) Caregiver role strain
c) Ineffective coping
d) Anxiety
b) Caregiver role strain
Explanation: The most appropriate nursing diagnosis is caregiver role strain because the client feels tired and fatigued by struggling to care for her mother and fulfilling family needs. Ineffective coping, compromised family adjustment, and anxiety would be inappropriate nursing diagnoses based on the information provided.
A middle-aged 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
a) Stressors
b) Demands
c) Illnesses
d) Stimuli
a) Stressors
Explanation: 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.
An adolescent entering high school voices anxiety over changing schools. Stating anxiety is an act of
a) Valuation
b) Adaptation
c) Evaluation
d) Reaction
b) Adaptation
Explanation: Adaptation is generally considered a person’s capacity to flourish and survive, even with diversity.
What would you do for S.A.F.E.T.Y for Stress/Anxiety?
S - Vital Signs - Physical Components
A - Get Data About Events
F - Keep them Safe
E - Meds
T - Coping Mechanisms/Stress Reduction
Y - Document
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