Stress

Question 0

Hans Selye’s Theory

Answer 0

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

1. Alarm or acute stress stage: stress mediators (adrenalin, corticosteroids, endorphins) are released to encourage survival
2. Resistance or adaptation stage: resistance to stressor occurs
3. Exhaustion stage (if adaption does not occur): resources are depleted, resulting in psychological and physiological responses of exhaustion

Question 1

Walter Cannon’s Theory

Answer 1

Fight-or-flight response: body’s way of preparing for a situation an individual perceives as a threat to survival

Question 2

Distress

Answer 2

Negative, draining energy that results in anxiety, depression, confusion, helplessness, and fatigue

Question 3

Eustress

Answer 3

Positive, beneficial energy that motivates and results in feelings of happiness, hopefulness, and purposeful movement

Question 4

Low-Quality Support Relationships

Answer 4

Relationships that negatively affect a person’s coping effectiveness in a crisis

Question 5

High-Quality Support Relationships

Answer 5

Relationships that positively affect a person’s coping effectiveness in a crisis

Question 6

Recent Life Changes Questionnaire

Answer 6

Assesses stress level for past 6-12 months

Question 7

Perceived Stress Scale

Answer 7

Measures how uncontrollable, unpredictable, or overloaded you find your life

Question 8

Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)

Answer 8

Eliminate muscle contraction by tensing muscle groups (beginning with feet and ending with face) as tightly as possible for 8 seconds and suddenly releasing them.

Question 9

Benson’s Relaxation Techniques

Answer 9

Focus on a word or brief phrase that reflects your belief system while consciously relaxing muscles from feet to face; allows pt to switch from sympathetic fight-or-flight to parasympathetic relaxation.

Question 10

Meditation

Answer 10

Discipline training for the mind to develop greater calm; creates a hypermetabolic state of quieting the sympathetic nervous system.

Question 11

Guided Imagery

Answer 11

Envision images that are both calming and health enhancing; reduces cortisol, epinephrine, and catecholamines to allow better immune system functioning; produce B-endorphins to increase pain threshold and enhance lymphocyte proliferation.

Question 12

Biofeedback

Answer 12

Monitors provide information regarding muscle activity, brain waves, skin temperature, HR, BP; information relayed to pt so that they may practice voluntary control over stress response.

Question 13

Cognitive Reframing

Answer 13

Change individual’s perception of stress by reassessing a situation and replacing irrational beliefs with more positive self-statements.

Question 14

Mindfulness

Answer 14

Being in the moment and recognizing that thoughts are just thoughts (rather than an imminent reality).