Stress, Anxiety and Coping Mechanisms

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following symptoms is a result of norepinephrine affecting the respiratory system?

Increased heart rate

Irregular heartbeat

Loss of appetite

Tingling of hands and feet (correct)

In the gastrointestinal system, which consequence is specifically linked to an increase in hydrochloric acid?

Ulcers or gastritis (correct)

Hypotension

Nausea/vomiting

Muscle spasms

What effect does prolonged tension in larger muscles have on the musculoskeletal system?

Hyperactive bowel sounds

Muscle spasms (correct)

Increased appetite

Irregular heartbeat

Which of the following cardiovascular symptoms can indicate ineffective coping?

Increased blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

What are potential nonverbal signs of anxiety to observe in a patient?

Tension and irritability Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily affected by chronic stress over a long period?

Cardiovascular disease risks Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the difference between stress and anxiety?

Stress is the physiological response to a stimulus, whereas anxiety is a psychological response. Signup and view all the answers

Which is a common source of clinical stress for nurses?

Excessive workload Signup and view all the answers

What is a stressor?

An event or stimulus that causes stress Signup and view all the answers

What physical effect can prolonged stress lead to?

Weight gain Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an external stressor?

A loud noise Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes mild anxiety?

Heightened alertness and facilitation of problem solving Signup and view all the answers

What type of stressor occurs predictably during a person's life?

Developmental stressor Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symptoms is NOT associated with moderate anxiety?

Tachycardia Signup and view all the answers

How can stress affect a person's social life?

It can alter relationships with others Signup and view all the answers

Which of these factors can cause stress for patients?

Uncertainty about their condition Signup and view all the answers

What is a common mental disability resulting from sustained stress?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered an internal stressor?

Fear Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a situational stressor?

Marriage or divorce Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential effect of stress on a person's intellectual abilities?

It can influence perceptual abilities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about stress is false?

Stress only affects emotional states and not physical health. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key purpose of adaptation according to the provided information?

To maintain balance in internal and external environments Signup and view all the answers

How does previous experience influence a person's coping mechanisms?

Both positive and negative experiences shape responses to stress. Signup and view all the answers

What lifestyle factor is mentioned as being crucial for coping with stress?

Diet and nutrients balance Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to a person's perceived safety and security according to the information?

Personal perception Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements reflects about chronic stress mentioned in the content?

It is linked to decreased immune response and poor wound healing. Signup and view all the answers

What minimum hours of sleep are recommended for better stress coping according to the factors affecting coping patterns?

6-9 hours Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a coping response when an individual is in a threatening situation?

Involuntary immediate responses Signup and view all the answers

What potential risk factors are identified that could affect stress levels?

Fatigue and malnutrition Signup and view all the answers

Which nursing diagnosis is characterized by an overwhelming feeling of worry or fear?

Anxiety Signup and view all the answers

Which strategy can help reduce stress through physical activity?

Regular exercise Signup and view all the answers

What type of support is crucial for a patient experiencing stress?

Emotional support from family and friends Signup and view all the answers

What technique involves using imagination to reduce stress?

Guided imagery Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of crisis intervention?

Problem solving related to the crisis Signup and view all the answers

What nursing diagnosis is linked to feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth in a specific situation?

Situational low self-esteem Signup and view all the answers

What benefit does proper time management provide in stress management?

Helps prioritize tasks and reduces last-minute rushes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a nursing diagnosis related to stress?

Hypertension Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of nurses in relation to organ donation?

Provide families with information about the importance and process of organ donation Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT considered important for a good death?

Complete isolation from family Signup and view all the answers

What is a postmortem examination used to determine?

The cause of death Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key aspects of nursing care after death?

Providing support to the family of the deceased Signup and view all the answers

How should a nurse help a dying patient according to the nursing process?

Respect the patient's wishes and promote dignity Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of nursing care is specifically highlighted in relation to postmortem care?

Cleaning and treating the body properly after death Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about a good death is true?

Patients should have control over symptom management Signup and view all the answers

Which legal responsibility is crucial for nurses to understand?

The protocols for postmortem examinations when an unusual death occurs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Stress, Anxiety, Adaptation, Loss, and Grief

Stress/distress is a part of life; everyone experiences it at some point.
Stress is a disturbance in an individual's physical or emotional state that affects the body's normal physiological state, requiring adaptation.
A stressor is any event or stimulus that causes stress.
Stressors can be internal (e.g., illness, hormonal changes, fear) or external (e.g., loud noise, cold temperature).

Sources of Stress

Internal stressors originate within a person (e.g., infection, feelings of depression, worry, fear).
External stressors originate outside the individual (e.g., moving to another city, death in family, pressure from peers).
Developmental stressors occur at predictable times throughout a person's life (e.g., child: beginning school; adolescent: changing physique).
Situational stressors are unpredictable and can occur at any time (e.g., marriage or divorce, illness or injury, loss, new job, role change).

Effect of Stress

Stress can threaten a person’s physiological homeostasis.
Stress can produce negative or nonconstructive feelings.
Stress can affect a person's perception and problem-solving abilities.
Stress can alter a person's relationships with others.
Stress can challenge one's beliefs and values.

Clinical Stress

For Patients: Uncertainty, fear, pain, cost, lack of knowledge, risk for harm, unknown resources are important stressors.
For Nurses: Poor patient outcomes, risk of error, unfamiliar situations, excessive workload, inadequate resources are important stressors.

Kinds of Harm Stress Can Cause

Cardiovascular disease risks (including heart rate, blood pressure, heart attack, stroke).
Immune system function impairment.
Varied physical effects (weight gain, hair and skin problems, diabetes, digestive problems, loss of libido).
Mental disabilities (including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)).

Anxiety

Anxiety is a constant feeling of worry or fear about something.
Stress is a physiological response to a stimulus, while anxiety is a psychological response to a threat. There is a close relationship between stress and anxiety.

Mild Anxiety

Mild anxiety is present in daily living, increasing alertness and perceptual fields, motivating learning and growth.
May interfere with sleep, but facilitates problem-solving.

Moderate Anxiety

Moderate anxiety is manifested by a quavering voice, tremors, increased muscle tension, complaint of “butterflies in the stomach,” and slight increases in respirations and pulse.

Severe Anxiety

Severe anxiety significantly impairs learning ability and distractability.
Manifested by difficulty communicating, increased motor activity, fearful facial expression, headache, nausea, dizziness, tachycardia, and hyperventilation.

Adaptation

Adaptation is a process where a person copes with a threatening situation.
These coping responses are usually involuntary.
Adaptation is necessary for normal growth and development, the ability to tolerate changes, and the capability to respond to physical and emotional stressors.

Factors Affecting Coping Patterns

Lifestyle Considerations: Diet, activity and exercise, sleep, and safety and security affect coping ability.
Previous Experience: Positive experiences build resilience, while negative experiences can make stress harder to manage.

Nursing Diagnoses

Observe nonverbal signs of anxiety, fear, anger, irritability, and tension in a patient experiencing ineffective coping.
Stress often results in multiple nursing diagnoses.
Examples of diagnoses (including but not limited to): anxiety, caregiver role strain, ineffective coping, fear, risk for post-trauma syndrome, insomnia, situational low self-esteem, and stress overload.

Implementation

Health Promotion: Regular exercise, developing support systems, and time management.
Guided Imagery and Visualization: The practice of imagination to reduce stress.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation: A relaxation technique for managing muscle tension.
Acute Care (Crisis Intervention): A crisis is a turning point in life. Interventions focus on problem-solving.
Restorative and Continuing Care: Recovery from stress occurs when the stressor is removed.
Care After Death: Nursing responsibilities involve treating the deceased body; maintaining privacy; preventing damage to the body; legal aspects, including organ donation, and caring for the grieving family.

Factors Influencing Loss and Grief

Human development, personal relationships, nature of the loss, coping strategies, socioeconomic status, culture and ethnicity and spiritual and religious beliefs.

Dying and Death

The cessation of breathing, absence of response to painful stimuli, lack of reflexes, and spontaneous movement are traditional signs of death.

Types of Loss

Actual loss: Death of a loved one.
Perceived loss: A sense of loss that is subjective but not tangible.
Physical loss: Loss of a limb or organ.
Psychological loss: Loss of well-being, body image or beliefs.

Types of Grief

Normal grief: A common, universal reaction characterized by complex responses following loss or death.
Anticipatory grief: Absorbing loss over time.
Dysfunctional grief: Extreme sadness, inability to re-establish relationships, difficulty lessening grief intensity, inability to function, emotional instability, unresolved denial and anger, changes in eating and sleeping habits.
Complicated grief: Symptoms persist for over a year after the loss. Intense emotions, difficulty with acceptance, and impact on physical health, relationships, and daily responsibilities.

Stages of Grief

Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance

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Description

Explore the concepts of stress, anxiety, and the body's adaptations to various internal and external stressors. This quiz covers sources of stress, including developmental and situational factors, along with their effects on individuals. Test your understanding of how stress impacts emotional and physical well-being.