Stress Flashcards
What body systems are related to a stress repsonse?
- Central Nervous System
- Limbic System
- Sympathetic nervous system
- Endocrine system
What are some cognitive indicators of a stress response?
Difficulty with:
- problem solving
- cognitive structuring
- suppression
- self-control
- fantasizing
Define Acute Stress
The most common type of stress, and it occurs over a shorter period of time
Define Episodic Acute Stress
“Self-inflicted Stress”
Occurs when taking on unrealistic assignments beyond what is typically or reasonably expected
(Common among Type-A personalities)
Define Chronic Stress
Long-term stressors such as occupational stress, relationship stress, and financial stress.
Usually associated with loss of hope that the situation can improve.
(This type of stress is very harmful to health)
What are some consequences to chronic stress?
- Negative physical, psychological, and/or social manifestations
- Increases susceptibility to illnesses
- Affects caregivers, including nursing professionals
- Increases risk for burnout
- Reduced quality of care
- Decreased client satisfaction
Define an internal stressor
A stressor that comes from the internal environment of an individual: psychical, spiritual, cognitive, emotional, and psychological well-being of an individual
Give an example of an internal stressor
Hassels or day-to-day tension
Define external stressors
triggers outside of the individual that demand change or disrupt homeostasis
Give some examples of External Stressors
- cancer
- diabetes
- birth of a child
- caregiving
- divorce
- loss of a job
What are the three populations that report the greatest level of general stress?
- Lower-income Americans
- Young adults (particularly those with children)
- Women
Why is impaired cognition an individual risk factor?
Appraisal is affected (Appraisal assists with determining the meaning of the stessor)
What are some individual risk factors?
- Impaired cognition
- Chronic health conditions including mental health issues
- Multiple significant life changes
- Socioeconomic Status (Poor, Homeless)
- Caregiver
- Individual in a foreign country (especially with a language/cultural barrier)
When does stranger anxiety become most pronounced during a child’s life?
the first 2 years of life
What are anxiety disorders a result of?
anxiety and fear that persists beyond the expected age of resolution and endure for 6 months or longer
What types of drugs are typically used to help aid the symptoms of stress?
- anxiolytics
- Hypnotics
- antidepressants
- Psychotherapeutics
- muscle relaxants
- Anti-migraine agent
- SSRIs (used in older adults (it was in the PowerPoint))
What are some nonpharmacologic options for managing stress?
- Acupuncture
- herbals/botanicals
- Aromatherapy
- Progressive relaxation
- Guided imagery
- biofeedback
- self-hypnosis
- Deep breathing exercises
What are some assessment techniques used for stress?
- help the client identify stressors that trigger unhealthy coping responses
- Ask the patient open-ended questions to find out the person’s stressor
- develop a therapeutic nurse-client relationship
What is never a good coping mechanism?
Avoidance
Why are lab tests done before a psychoevaulation is done?
It is necessary to rule out any medical condition because many signs and symptoms of a medical condition are similar to signs of anxiety
What are some examples of primary prevention of stress?
- Stress management and reduction techniques
- Counseling
- Maintenance of positive relationships
- Maintenance of optimal health
What are some examples of stress management and reduction techniques?
- counting to 10
- putting a kid in time out
- Groaning when in pain
What is counseling?
individual or group therapy
What techniques does counseling use?
- cognitive behavioral therapy
- meditation
- relaxation techniques and massage
- time management
- health education
What is the first stage of a stressor?
Stage 1: The Alarm Reaction Stage
What is the second stage of a stressor?
Stage 2: Stage of resistance
What happens during the Stage of resistance?
the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in and slows everything down
(body is trying to return to homeostasis)
What is the third stage of a stressor?
Stage 3: exhaustion stage
What happens during the exhaustion stage?
the stressor is unable to be overcome (energy is depleted because they were in a constant state of fight or flight)
Is it likely that a nurse could adequately educate the patient during the exhaustion phase?
no because they still remain at the fight or flight state and that is what they are focused on
What are some consequences of chronic stress?
- heightened responses
- Exhaustion of resources leads to loss of homeostasis
- Cancer
- Heart problems
- Depression
