Stress Responses and Mangement Flashcards
What is stress?
the brain’s response to any demand
If a child is exposed to high levels of stress during stress-sensitive developmental period, do they have a greater or lesser incidence of all mental illnesses as adults?
greater
What is the nurse role for a pt experiencing stress?
intervene to reduce stress by promoting a healing env, facilitating successful coping and developing future coping strategies
Explain the fight-or-flight response to stress
the body’s way of preparing for a situation an individual perceives as a threat to survival
What is the body’s response to fight-or-flight?
increased
- BP
- HR
- RR
- CO
What are the 3 stages of the GAS?
- Alarm
- Resistance
- Exhaustion
Describe the alarm stage from GAS
Initial, brief, and adaptive response to the stressor by the SNS and HPA
Describe the resistance stage from GAS
during this time sustained and optimal resistance to the stressor occurs; if stressors continue the body remains in a state of arousal
Describe the exhaustion stage from GAS
attempts to resist the stressor prove futile; resources are depleted and stress becomes chronic; more prone to illnesses
What is the difference between distress and eustress?
distress is a (-) draining energy resulting in anxiety, depression, confusion, helplessness, hopelessness and fatigue while eustress is a (+) beneficial energy that motivated and results in happiness
Since the GAS is primarily how men respond to stress, how do women respond to stress?
tending and befriending; reliance on the social network for support
Which neurotransmitter plays an important role in stress? Explain its effects?
SE; plays a role in mood, sleep, appetite, and metabolism
Does SE increase or decrease in the times of stress?
increases
What are the 2 types of stressors?
- physiological
2. psychological
Describe a physiological stressor
- envtl conditions (trauma, excessive cold and heat)
- physical conditions (infxn, hemorrhage, hunger and pain)
Describe a psychological stressor
- divorce
- loss of a job
- death of a loved one
What role does perception in stress?
perception of the stressor that determines the person’s emotional and psychological rxns to it
What are some effects of the body during stressful times?
- anxiety
- increase risk of CVA
- digestive problems
- decreased libido
- decrease immune response
- depression
- insomnia
- rapid breathing
- increase blood sugar
What role does spirituality and religion have in stress?
helps people cope with stress and can enhance the immune system and sense of well-being
What are 4 methods people cope w/ stress?
- health-sustaining habits
- life satisfactions
- Social supports
- Effective and healthy responses to stress
Does it help to apply only one or multiple stress-management techniques?
multiple techniques because there no single technique that feels right for everyone
What are some psychiatric disorders that are known to benefit from relaxation techniques?
- anxiety
- depression
- insomnia
- nightmares
Explain biofeedback
a sensitive instrument that provides immediate and exact info regarding bodily fxns like HR, BP, and skin temp
What is the most common relaxation technique in the US?
deep breathing
Describe guided imagery
the teaching of focusing on pleasant images to replace (-) or stressful feelings which can be self-directed or by a practitioner or recording
When is guided imagery useful?
relieving pain and cancer pts
Describe progressive relaxation
to decrease anxiety by deliberately tensing a group of muscles as tightly as possible for 8 seconds then releasing tension
What is the purpose of meditation?
training the mind to develop greater calm and then using that clam to bring penetrative insight into one’s experience
How does meditation elicit relaxation?
by creating hypometabolic state of quieting the sns
Describe mindfulness
being mindful includes being in the moment by paying attention to what going on around you; what you are seeing and hearing; taking a break from planning, strategizing, and setting goals
Describe cognitive reframing
changing the individual’s perceptions of stress by reassessing a situation and replacing irrational beliefs
What is the desired result of cognitive reframing?
to reframe a disturbing event or experience as less disturbing and to give the pt a sense of control over the situation
How does journaling help manage stress?
eases worry and obsession, identify hopes and fears, increase energy level and confidence and facilitate the grieving process
