Stress and Coping

Question 1

Define stress

Answer 1

a stimulus or response that leads to confusion or ambiguity

Question 2

Define eustress

Answer 2

positive stress that gives us motivation and purpose (eg marriage, childbirth)

Question 3

Define distress

Answer 3

negative stress that does damage

Question 4

Define stressors

Answer 4

events or circumstances that activate the stress response system

Question 5

What are some sources of stress?

Answer 5

physical, social, economic, and lifestyle changes

Question 6

What factors influence stress levels?

Answer 6

Situational factors - coping levels inc with repeated exposure to the stressor.

Maturational factors - coming to terms with stressors as a result of development

Sociocultural factors - financial pressures, violence, neighborhood, housing

Question 7

What are the three manifestations of stress?

Answer 7

1. physical - adrenaline is released inc physical performance (fight/flight)
2. emotional - outburst, crying, anxiety, and depression (may affect behavior)
3. behavioural - lethargy, fatigue, change in eating/sleeping

Question 8

What are the two factors influencing manifestations/response to stress?

Answer 8

stressor - the nature/characteristics of the event

individual - each individual is unique and will respond differently.

Question 9

Explain the 3 stages of adaptation to stress (fight or flight)

Answer 9

1. Alarm reaction - fight or flight activates to maintain homeostasis.
2. Resistance stage - allows the body to stay alert when trying to react/assess
3. Exhaustion stage - the heightened stage has worn out and the body is exhausted

Question 10

Define allostasis.

Answer 10

Repeated stress causes higher levels of neuroendecrines. The body adapts and the heightened level that is normally associated with a stress becomes the bodies norm regardless of the presence of stressors.

Question 11

What is allostatic load?

Answer 11

it is the physiological effects (damage sustained) from being exposed to heightened levels of neuroendocrines over an extended period of time. this occurs as a result of chronic/long term stress.

Question 12

What enhances/inhibits adaptation?

Answer 12

enhances: good physical health, strength/hardiness, social support, spirituality
inhibits: illness/injury, prolonged exposure

Question 13

Explain the concept of resilience/hardiness.

Answer 13

(the extent to which the individual is prepared)
It is the extent to which the individual has:
1. a sense of control over events
2. commitment to meaningful activities
3. a view of challenges as an opportunity for growth

Question 14

What are the models of stress

Answer 14

1. response based - concerned with physiological response, does not account for cognitive modifications of responses.
2. adaptation model - anxiety occurs when the individual is unprepared to cope (lack of resilience/perception)
3. stimulus based - focuses on environmental stressors. Can quantify/assess stress, but does not account for individual factors.
4. transaction based - views person and environment (nature of stress) as dynamic. Response depends on both aspects

Question 15

What is a defense mechanism?

Answer 15

it is an unconscious, inflexible mental mechanism to reduce uncomfortable feelings. It involves cognitive distractions and self-deceptions.

Question 16

What is a coping strategy?

Answer 16

Conscious mental techniques used to manage stressful situations. It can be effective or ineffective (pos/neg)

Question 17

Denial, displacement, dissociation, fantasy, identification, intellectualization, introjection, projection, rationalization, reaction formation, repression, and suppression are examples of what?

Answer 17

defense mechanisms

Question 18

What are the steps for stress management?

Answer 18

1. decrease stress-producing situations
2. increase resistance (resilience) to stress
3. learn skills to reduce/manage stress

Question 19

What is the nurses role in stress and coping?

Answer 19

assessment, diagnosis, interventions, and evaluation