Stress and Adaptation Key Points

Question 1

Crisis

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Stress

Answer 2

condition in which the human system responds to changes in its normal balanced state

Question 3

Crisis Intervention

Answer 3

5-step problem-solving technique designed to promote improved abilities to cope with future crises

Question 4

Defense Mechanisms

Answer 4

unconscious reactions to stressors

Question 5

Introjection

Answer 5

a person incorporates qualities or values of another person into his ego structure, important in formation of conscience during childhood

Question 6

Dissociation

Answer 6

a person subconsciously protects himself from the memories of a horrific or painful event by allowing the mind to forget the incident

Question 7

Stressor

Answer 7

anything that is perceived as a challenging, threatening, or demanding that triggers a stress reaction

Question 8

Projection

Answer 8

a person attributes thoughts or impulses to someone else

Question 9

Compensation

Answer 9

person attempts to overcome a perceived weakness by emphasizing a more desirable trait

Question 10

Coping Mechanisms

Answer 10

behaviors used to decrease stress and anxiety

Question 11

Reaction Formation

Answer 11

a person develops conscious attitudes and behavior patterns that are opposite of what he would really like to do

Question 12

Repression

Answer 12

a person voluntarily excludes an anxiety-producing event from conscious awareness

Question 13

Rationalization

Answer 13

a person tries to give a logically or socially acceptable explanation for questionable behavior

Question 14

Burnout

Answer 14

when a person becomes overwhelmed and develop symptoms of stress, or a complex of behaviors

Question 15

Inflammatory Response

Answer 15

local response to injury or infection

Question 16

Displacement

Answer 16

a person transfers an emotional reaction from one object or person to another object or person

Question 17

Adaptation

Answer 17

change that takes place as a result of stress

Question 18

Anxiety

Answer 18

a vague, uneasy feeling of discomfort or dread

Question 19

Denial

Answer 19

a person refuses to acknowledge the presence of a condition that is disturbing

Question 20

Sublimation

Answer 20

a person substitutes a socially acceptable goal for one whose normal channel of expression is blocked

Question 21

Undoing

Answer 21

a person uses an act or communication to negate a previous act or communication

Question 22

Regression

Answer 22

a person returns to an earlier method of behaving

Question 23

Fear

Answer 23

a feeling of dread in response to a known threat

Question 24

Caregiver Burden

Answer 24

when a person caring for a family member for long periods develops prolonged stress

Question 25

Eustress

Answer 25

short-term stress that promotes positive emotional, intellectual, and physiological adaptation and development "good" stress

Question 26

Examples of Physiologic Stress

Answer 26

Chemical Agents: drugs, poisons Physical Agents: heat, cold, trauma Infectious Agents: viruses, bacteria Nutritional Imbalances Hypoxia Genetic or Immune Disorders

Question 27

Examples of Psychosocial Stress

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Various physiologic mechanisms within the body respond to internal changes to maintain relative constancy in the internal environment, a process known as _______.

Answer 28

Homeostasis

Question 29

General Adaptation Syndrome Phases

Answer 29

Alarm Resistance Exhaustion

Question 30

Alarm Phase

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Physiological Changes During the Alarm Phase

Answer 31

Increased: HR, BP, vasoconstriction (peripheral), metabolism (increased blood sugar), water retention, mental alertness Dilated: pupils and bronchi

Question 32

Resistance Phase

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Exhaustion Phase

Answer 33

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)

Question 34

Psychosomatic Disorders

Answer 34

illnesses that develop as a result of prolonged stress

Question 35

Physiologic Indicators of Prolonged Stress

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Mild Anxiety

Answer 36

day-to-day increased alertness, motivates learning and growth, facilitates problem solving

Question 37

Moderate Anxiety

Answer 37

narrows perceptual fields focus is on immediate concerns "butterflies in your stomach", increased muscle tension

Question 38

Severe Anxiety

Answer 38

very narrow focus on details impaired learning, easily distracted, difficulty communicating

Question 39

Panic Anxiety

Answer 39

loss of control and experience dread and terror hyperventilation, tachycardia, palpitations, choking sensations

Question 40

Examples of Coping Mechanisms

Answer 40

crying, laughing, sleeping, cursing physical activity, exercise smoking, drinking lack of eye contact, withdrawal limiting relationships to those w/ similar values and interests

Question 41

Stress and Basic Human Needs

Answer 41

unique to each individual as a person strives to meet basic human needs, stress can be either a barrier or stimulus

Question 42

Stress in Health and Illness

Answer 42

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

Question 43

Long Term Stress

Answer 43

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

Question 44

Family Stress

Answer 44

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

Question 45

Stress is greater for nurses in two groups

Answer 45

new graduates nurses who work in ICU and ER

Question 46

Reasons for increased stress in nurses include:

Answer 46

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

Question 47

Incivility

Answer 47

encompasses rude or discourteous actions that negatively affect others elevated and continued becomes bullying

Question 48

Bullying

Answer 48

repeated, ongoing actions that intend to harm another person humiliation, offensive speech/actions, other methods that cause distress

Question 49

Workplace Violence

Answer 49

actions that cause psychological or physical damage

Question 50

Burnout can be compared to ______ stage of anxiety.

Answer 50

exhaustion

Question 51

Interventions for Managing Stress

Answer 51

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)