Stress Flashcards
Emotional response
Hopelessness
Irritability
Overwhelmed
Denial
Anxiety
Depression
Anger
Guilt
Fear
Behavirol response
Being very quiet
Withdrawal
Inc drinking
Being unusually talktive
Change eating habits
Suspiciousness
Physical response
Fatigue
Muscle tremors
Sweating
Nauses
Upset stomach
Difficulty breathing
The patient came to the clinic seeking help for headaches and insomnia. What other manifestation could be present if stress is causing the patient’s problems?
Weight gain
Hypoventilation
Increased energy
Musculoskeletal pain
Musculoskeletal pain
Musculoskeletal pain exists with increased muscle tension from sympathetic nervous system stimulation as part of the stress response. Other manifestations include loss of appetite and weight loss, hyperventilation, hypertension, increased heart rate, sweating, gastrointestinal upset, skin disorders, and fatigue.
A 40-yr-old male patient is alarmed about his recent diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Which of the man’s actions best indicates a problem-focused coping strategy?
Resolving to begin exercising three times weekly
Integrating meditation and guided imagery into his daily routine
Learning how to perform relaxation breathing effectively and regularly
Gathering printed literature and online information about his new diagnosis
Resolving to begin exercising three times weekly
Exercise is the action that most directly addresses the cause and progression of the man’s diagnosis. Meditation, imagery, and relaxation breathing address the physiologic and emotional response to stress. Information gathering may constitute the beginning of problem-focused coping but less directly than performing physical exercise.
The nurse is planning to educate a group of patients in the behavioral health unit about stress management techniques. What is a priority action by the nurse prior to this group activity?
Personally become familiar with them.
Obtain certification in stress management.
Seek permission from the health care provider.
Recognize the potential harmful effects of these techniques.
Personally become familiar with them.
The nurse can most effectively teach these techniques after personally practicing and learning the strategies. Stress management techniques are independent nursing actions and do not need a health care provider’s prescription to implement. Education is helpful, but certification is not necessary. Stress management techniques pose no threat to the patient.
Which patient may benefit from using relaxation breathing as an effective treatment to reduce stress?
A patient with receptive dysphasia after a stroke.
A patient with dementia who is unable to follow directions or obey commands.
A comatose patient who has been hospitalized for 6 weeks because of a head injury.
A patient with superficial burns who has moderate pain and needs dressing changes.
A patient with superficial burns who has moderate pain and needs dressing changes.
Rationale:
Relaxation strategies have been proven to be effective for stress-related disorders such as chronic pain. The patient must be able to understand directions to learn how to use the relaxation breathing technique.
The nurse is providing stress management education to a group of older women in a community center. Which statement by the nurse would be an accurate description of the effect of stress on the cardiovascular system?
“The heart rate decreases with constant stress, causing a compensatory rise in the blood pressure.”
“Chronic long-term stress results in poor heart function because of low blood volume and blood pressure.”
“When a person is experiencing a stressful state, there is a decrease in brain activity, slowing down the heart.”
“Stress causes a faster heart rate and blood vessel constriction. These changes can increase blood pressure.”
“Stress causes a faster heart rate and blood vessel constriction. These changes can increase blood pressure.”
Rationale:
Stress results in increased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity. Increased SNS stimulation affects cardiac function with an increased heart rate, stroke volume, and cardiac output. The blood vessels are also affected by peripheral vasoconstriction. Increased cardiac output and peripheral vasoconstriction lead to increased systolic blood pressure and redistribution of blood to vital organs. Stress does not cause a decrease in heart rate or blood volume.
Which hormones are known to inhibit the immune system when a person is stressed? (Select all that apply.)
Cortisol
Glucagon
Aldosterone
Catecholamines
Growth hormone
Cortisol
Catecholamines
You are teaching a stress management class for caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. You have led the caregivers through a stress management exercise by asking them to envision places and experiences that are calming. Which technique have you used?
Centering
Meditation
Guided imagery
Relaxation breathing
Guided imagery
Rationale:
Guided imagery involves leading others to use their minds to generate images that have a calming effect on the body. Centering, relaxation breathing, and meditation are other forms of relaxation techniques.
Which health care provider is exhibiting behavioral manifestations of stress?
A home care nurse who forgets to pick up supplies and make care referrals.
A licensed vocational/practical nurse who describes insomnia and fatigue at work.
A nursing assistant who is absent from work several times each month because of sick children.
A registered nurse who has an increased heart rate and blood pressure after an unexpected patient death.
A home care nurse who forgets to pick up supplies and make care referrals.
Rationale:
Cognitive changes related to stress include self-reports of inability to make decisions and forgetfulness. Physical responses to stress include insomnia, fatigue, and increased heart rate and blood pressure. Absence because of family care needs is not a manifestation of the nurse’s stress.
