STRESS AND COPING Flashcards
is a condition in which an individual experiences changes in the normal balanced state
stress
is any event or stimulus that causes an individual to experience stress
stressor
When a person faces stressors responses are referred to as
coping strategies
coping responses
coping mechanisms
What are the two sources of stress?
internal and external
originate within a person
eg. infection, depression
internal stressor
originate outside the individual
a move to another city, a death in the family
external stressor
What are the effects of stress?
physical
emotional
intellectual
social
spiritual consequences
What are the models of stress?
stimulus based
response based
transaction based
stress is defined as a stimulus, a life event, or a set of circumstances that arouses physiological and/or psychological reactions
stimulus-based models
the nonspecific response of the body to any kind of demand made upon it
response based models
Selye’s stress response is characterized by a chain or pattern of physiological events called the
General adaptation syndrome or stress syndrome
Besides adapting globally, the body can also react locally; that is, one organ or a part of the body reacts alone. This is referred to as the
local adaptation syndrome
Selye (1976) proposed that both the GAS and the LAS have three stages:
1.
2.
3.
Alarm reaction stage
stage of resistance
stage of exhaustion
is when the body’s adaptation takes place
stage of resistance
which alerts the body’s defenses.
alarm reaction
The alarm reaction is divided into two parts
shock phase
countershock phase
the adaptation that the body made during the second stage cannot be maintained.
stage of exhaustion
Transactional theories of stress are based on the work of
Lazarus
the stimulus theory and the response theory do not consider individual differences.
Transaction-based model
encompasses a set of cognitive, affective, and adaptive (coping) responses that arise out of person–environment transactions.
Lazarus’s Transactional stress theory
What are the indicators of stress?
Physiological
Psychological
Cognitive
result from activation of the sympathetic and neuroendocrine systems of the body
Physiological Indicators
include anxiety, fear, anger, depression, and unconscious ego defense mechanisms.
psychological indicators
a state of mental uneasiness, apprehension, dread, or foreboding or a feeling of helplessness related to an impending or anticipated unidentified threat to self or significant relationships.
anxiety
Anxiety may be manifested on four levels:
mild
moderate
severe
panic
produces a slight arousal that enhances perception, learning, and productive abilities
mild anxiety
increases the arousal to a point where the person expresses feelings of tension, nervousness, or concern
moderate anxiety
consumes most of the person’s energies and requires intervention.
severe anxiety
is an overpowering, frightening level of anxiety causing the person to lose control.
panic
are thinking responses that include problem solving, structuring, self-control or self-discipline, suppression, and fantasy.
cognitive indicators
involves thinking through the threatening situation, using specific steps to arrive at a solution
problem solving
What are the clinical manifestations of stress?
Pupils dilate
sweat production
heart rate and cardiac output increase
skin is pallid
sodium and water retention increase
may be described as dealing with change
coping
is a natural or learned way of responding to a changing environment or specific problem or situation
coping strategy
the cognitive and behavioral effort to manage specific external and/or internal demands that are appraised as taxing or exceeding the resources of the person”
coping
Two types of coping strategies
problem focused
emotion focused
refers to efforts to improve a situation by making changes or taking action.
problem-focused coping
includes thoughts and actions that relieve emotional distress.
emotion-focused coping
Coping strategies are also viewed as
long term or short term
can be constructive and practical.
long term coping strategies
short term coping strategies
Assessing
nursing history
physical examination of the client for indicators of stress
The nurse develops plans in collaboration with the client and significant support people when possible, according to the client’s
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
state of health
level of anxiety
support resources
coping mechanisms
sociocultural and religious affiliation
The overall client goals for individuals experiencing stress- related responses are to:
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2.
3.
decrease or resolve anxiety
increase ability to manage or cope with stressful events or circumstances
improve role performance
What are the methods of implementing?
Time Management
Minimizing anxiety
Mediating anger
Using relaxation technique
crisis intervention
Nurses should also encourage clients to use these techniques when they encounter stressful health situations. Examples of these situations are
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2.
3.
during childbirth
postoperatively to cope with pain
before and during a painful procedure
Crisis intervention is a short-term helping process of assisting clients to
1.
2.
work through a crisis to its resolution
restore their precrisis level of functioning
