Stress Responses and Mangement

Question 1

What is stress?

Answer 1

the brain’s response to any demand

Question 2

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?

Answer 2

greater

Question 3

What is the nurse role for a pt experiencing stress?

Answer 3

intervene to reduce stress by promoting a healing env, facilitating successful coping and developing future coping strategies

Question 4

Explain the fight-or-flight response to stress

Answer 4

the body’s way of preparing for a situation an individual perceives as a threat to survival

Question 5

What is the body’s response to fight-or-flight?

Answer 5

increased

• BP
• HR
• RR
• CO

Question 6

What are the 3 stages of the GAS?

Answer 6

1. Alarm
2. Resistance
3. Exhaustion

Question 7

Describe the alarm stage from GAS

Answer 7

Initial, brief, and adaptive response to the stressor by the SNS and HPA

Question 8

Describe the resistance stage from GAS

Answer 8

during this time sustained and optimal resistance to the stressor occurs; if stressors continue the body remains in a state of arousal

Question 9

Describe the exhaustion stage from GAS

Answer 9

attempts to resist the stressor prove futile; resources are depleted and stress becomes chronic; more prone to illnesses

Question 10

What is the difference between distress and eustress?

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Since the GAS is primarily how men respond to stress, how do women respond to stress?

Answer 11

tending and befriending; reliance on the social network for support

Question 12

Which neurotransmitter plays an important role in stress? Explain its effects?

Answer 12

SE; plays a role in mood, sleep, appetite, and metabolism

Question 13

Does SE increase or decrease in the times of stress?

Answer 13

increases

Question 14

What are the 2 types of stressors?

Answer 14

1. physiological

2. psychological

Question 15

Describe a physiological stressor

Answer 15

• envtl conditions (trauma, excessive cold and heat)

- physical conditions (infxn, hemorrhage, hunger and pain)

Question 16

Describe a psychological stressor

Answer 16

• divorce
• loss of a job
• death of a loved one

Question 17

What role does perception in stress?

Answer 17

perception of the stressor that determines the person’s emotional and psychological rxns to it

Question 18

What are some effects of the body during stressful times?

Answer 18

• anxiety
• increase risk of CVA
• digestive problems
• decreased libido
• decrease immune response
• depression
• insomnia
• rapid breathing
• increase blood sugar

Question 19

What role does spirituality and religion have in stress?

Answer 19

helps people cope with stress and can enhance the immune system and sense of well-being

Question 20

What are 4 methods people cope w/ stress?

Answer 20

1. health-sustaining habits
2. life satisfactions
3. Social supports
4. Effective and healthy responses to stress

Question 21

Does it help to apply only one or multiple stress-management techniques?

Answer 21

multiple techniques because there no single technique that feels right for everyone

Question 22

What are some psychiatric disorders that are known to benefit from relaxation techniques?

Answer 22

1. anxiety
2. depression
3. insomnia
4. nightmares

Question 23

Explain biofeedback

Answer 23

a sensitive instrument that provides immediate and exact info regarding bodily fxns like HR, BP, and skin temp

Question 24

What is the most common relaxation technique in the US?

Answer 24

deep breathing

Question 25

Describe guided imagery

Answer 25

the teaching of focusing on pleasant images to replace (-) or stressful feelings which can be self-directed or by a practitioner or recording

Question 26

When is guided imagery useful?

Answer 26

relieving pain and cancer pts

Question 27

Describe progressive relaxation

Answer 27

to decrease anxiety by deliberately tensing a group of muscles as tightly as possible for 8 seconds then releasing tension

Question 28

What is the purpose of meditation?

Answer 28

training the mind to develop greater calm and then using that clam to bring penetrative insight into one’s experience

Question 29

How does meditation elicit relaxation?

Answer 29

by creating hypometabolic state of quieting the sns

Question 30

Describe mindfulness

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Describe cognitive reframing

Answer 31

changing the individual’s perceptions of stress by reassessing a situation and replacing irrational beliefs

Question 32

What is the desired result of cognitive reframing?

Answer 32

to reframe a disturbing event or experience as less disturbing and to give the pt a sense of control over the situation

Question 33

How does journaling help manage stress?

Answer 33

eases worry and obsession, identify hopes and fears, increase energy level and confidence and facilitate the grieving process