Stress and Adaptation Key Points Flashcards
Crisis
a disturbance caused by precipitating event, such as a perceived loss, a threat of loss, or a challenge that is perceived as a threat to self
may be maturational (developmental), situational (life event), adventitious (unexpected events)
using coping mechanisms are ineffective
Stress
condition in which the human system responds to changes in its normal balanced state
Crisis Intervention
5-step problem-solving technique designed to promote improved abilities to cope with future crises
Defense Mechanisms
unconscious reactions to stressors
Introjection
a person incorporates qualities or values of another person into his ego structure, important in formation of conscience during childhood
Dissociation
a person subconsciously protects himself from the memories of a horrific or painful event by allowing the mind to forget the incident
Stressor
anything that is perceived as a challenging, threatening, or demanding that triggers a stress reaction
Projection
a person attributes thoughts or impulses to someone else
Compensation
person attempts to overcome a perceived weakness by emphasizing a more desirable trait
Coping Mechanisms
behaviors used to decrease stress and anxiety
Reaction Formation
a person develops conscious attitudes and behavior patterns that are opposite of what he would really like to do
Repression
a person voluntarily excludes an anxiety-producing event from conscious awareness
Rationalization
a person tries to give a logically or socially acceptable explanation for questionable behavior
Burnout
when a person becomes overwhelmed and develop symptoms of stress, or a complex of behaviors
Inflammatory Response
local response to injury or infection
Displacement
a person transfers an emotional reaction from one object or person to another object or person
Adaptation
change that takes place as a result of stress
Anxiety
a vague, uneasy feeling of discomfort or dread
Denial
a person refuses to acknowledge the presence of a condition that is disturbing
Sublimation
a person substitutes a socially acceptable goal for one whose normal channel of expression is blocked
Undoing
a person uses an act or communication to negate a previous act or communication
Regression
a person returns to an earlier method of behaving
Fear
a feeling of dread in response to a known threat
Caregiver Burden
when a person caring for a family member for long periods develops prolonged stress
Eustress
short-term stress that promotes positive emotional, intellectual, and physiological adaptation and development
“good” stress
Examples of Physiologic Stress
Chemical Agents: drugs, poisons
Physical Agents: heat, cold, trauma
Infectious Agents: viruses, bacteria
Nutritional Imbalances
Hypoxia
Genetic or Immune Disorders
Examples of Psychosocial Stress
Environment: homelife
Interpersonal Relationships: family, SO
Life Events: stressful, trauma
Horrors of History: school shootings
Events of History Brought into the Home Through Media: war, earthquakes, civil unrest
Economy, Political, Technology
Various physiologic mechanisms within the body respond to internal changes to maintain relative constancy in the internal environment, a process known as _______.
Homeostasis
General Adaptation Syndrome Phases
Alarm
Resistance
Exhaustion
Alarm Phase
fight-or-flight response: initiated by sympathetic NS
preparing the body to either fight off the stressor or run away from it
this phase of the alarm phase is called the shock phase
Physiological Changes During the Alarm Phase
Increased: HR, BP, vasoconstriction (peripheral), metabolism (increased blood sugar), water retention, mental alertness
Dilated: pupils and bronchi
Resistance Phase
having perceived the threat and mobilized its resources, the body now attempts to adapt to the stressor
vital signs, hormone levels, and energy production return to normal
if the stress can be managed to a small area (local adaptation syndrome), the body regains homeostasis
if the stressor is prolonged or strong enough to overwhelm the body’s ability to defend itself, the adaptive mechanisms become exhausted
Exhaustion Phase
occurs when the adaptive mechanisms can no longer provide defense
the depletion of resources results in the damage to the body in the from of wear and tear or systemic damage
one of the following will occur: rest and recovery or death (total exhaustion)
Psychosomatic Disorders
illnesses that develop as a result of prolonged stress
Physiologic Indicators of Prolonged Stress
backache or stiff neck
chest pain
constipation or diarrhea
decreased sex drive
dilated pupils
dry mouth
headache
increased urination
increased perspiration
increased pulse, BP, and respirations
nausea
sleep disturbances
weight gain or loss
Mild Anxiety
day-to-day
increased alertness, motivates learning and growth, facilitates problem solving
Moderate Anxiety
narrows perceptual fields
focus is on immediate concerns
“butterflies in your stomach”, increased muscle tension
Severe Anxiety
very narrow focus on details
impaired learning, easily distracted, difficulty communicating
Panic Anxiety
loss of control and experience dread and terror
hyperventilation, tachycardia, palpitations, choking sensations
Examples of Coping Mechanisms
crying, laughing, sleeping, cursing
physical activity, exercise
smoking, drinking
lack of eye contact, withdrawal
limiting relationships to those w/ similar values and interests
Stress and Basic Human Needs
unique to each individual
as a person strives to meet basic human needs, stress can be either a barrier or stimulus
Stress in Health and Illness
in a healthy person, may promote health and prevent illness
ex: fear of developing lung cancer may motivate someone to stop smoking
stress on an injured person may make illness worse and illness=stress
Long Term Stress
affects physical status
increases risk of disease/injury
recovery and return to normal function is compromised
increased levels of ongoing stress are associated with multiple health disorders
-stress alone does not cause autoimmune disorders, but does contribute
Family Stress
family members could be overly protective, deny seriousness of illness, or blame health care providers
or family can provide support necessary to manage and adapt to stress
caregiver burden
Stress is greater for nurses in two groups
new graduates
nurses who work in ICU and ER
Reasons for increased stress in nurses include:
patients in hospitals are more acutely ill today than in the past
shortage of nurses
increased number of people over the age of 65
technological advances
health care policies that impact on health care access and resources
working long hours
Incivility
encompasses rude or discourteous actions that negatively affect others
elevated and continued becomes bullying
Bullying
repeated, ongoing actions that intend to harm another person
humiliation, offensive speech/actions, other methods that cause distress
Workplace Violence
actions that cause psychological or physical damage
Burnout can be compared to ______ stage of anxiety.
exhaustion
Interventions for Managing Stress
relaxation
meditation
guided imagery (mental image)
biofeedback (gaining mental control of ANS)
rest and sleep
exercise
nutrition
encourage use of support systems
anticipatory guidance (therapist)
