DAVIS ADVANTAGE FOR
TOWNSEND'S PSYCHIATRIC
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KARYN MORGAN
TEST BANK
1. Biological response to stress
Reference: Unit 1, Chapter 1 — The Concept of Stress
Adaptation — Stress as a Biological Response
A 19-year-old student reports, “My heart pounds, my mouth
gets dry, and I cannot think straight before exams.” The nurse
notes the student is restless, speaking rapidly, and breathing
shallowly. Which response best explains the client’s experience?
,A. The parasympathetic nervous system is causing relaxation
responses
B. The sympathetic nervous system is activating the fight-or-
flight response
C. The client is showing signs of hypoglycemia from skipping
meals
D. The client is experiencing a personality change related to
anxiety
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Correct: Stress triggers the sympathetic nervous system, which
prepares the body for fight-or-flight. Common findings include
tachycardia, dry mouth, rapid speech, and shallow breathing.
A: The parasympathetic system promotes rest and recovery, not
acute stress activation.
C: Hypoglycemia can cause symptoms like sweating and
shakiness, but the scenario primarily reflects stress physiology.
D: This describes a behavioral judgment rather than a biological
stress response.
Teaching Point: Stress activates the sympathetic nervous
system and prepares the body for action.
Citation: Morgan, K. (2024). Davis Advantage for Townsend’s
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
2. Recognizing physiologic stress cues
,Reference: Unit 1, Chapter 1 — Stress as a Biological Response
A nurse is assessing a client after a sudden family emergency.
Which finding most strongly suggests an acute stress response?
A. Slow, even respirations and relaxed posture
B. Increased pulse rate and elevated blood pressure
C. Decreased alertness and slowed speech
D. Diminished response to pain and fatigue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Correct: Acute stress commonly causes sympathetic
stimulation, including increased heart rate and blood pressure.
These changes reflect the body’s attempt to respond quickly to
threat.
A: These findings are more consistent with relaxation or
recovery.
C: Slowed speech and decreased alertness are not typical early
stress responses.
D: Stress usually increases arousal rather than reducing
responsiveness to pain.
Teaching Point: Acute stress usually produces increased
arousal, not calmness or slowing.
Citation: Morgan, K. (2024). Davis Advantage for Townsend’s
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
, 3. Stress and homeostasis
Reference: Unit 1, Chapter 1 — Stress as a Biological Response
A client says, “I feel physically worn out after months of
caregiving.” The nurse explains that prolonged stress can affect
the body by:
A. Keeping the body in a constant state of homeostasis
B. Preventing the need for coping strategies
C. Disrupting the body’s ability to return to balance
D. Eliminating the stress response over time
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Correct: Prolonged stress can disrupt homeostasis and leave the
body less able to return to a balanced state. This contributes to
physical and emotional exhaustion.
A: Stress does not maintain homeostasis; it challenges it.
B: Long-term stress increases the need for coping strategies.
D: The stress response does not disappear simply because it is
prolonged.
Teaching Point: Chronic stress can wear down the body’s ability
to restore balance.
Citation: Morgan, K. (2024). Davis Advantage for Townsend’s
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
4. Environmental stressor identification
TOWNSEND'S PSYCHIATRIC
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KARYN MORGAN
TEST BANK
1. Biological response to stress
Reference: Unit 1, Chapter 1 — The Concept of Stress
Adaptation — Stress as a Biological Response
A 19-year-old student reports, “My heart pounds, my mouth
gets dry, and I cannot think straight before exams.” The nurse
notes the student is restless, speaking rapidly, and breathing
shallowly. Which response best explains the client’s experience?
,A. The parasympathetic nervous system is causing relaxation
responses
B. The sympathetic nervous system is activating the fight-or-
flight response
C. The client is showing signs of hypoglycemia from skipping
meals
D. The client is experiencing a personality change related to
anxiety
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Correct: Stress triggers the sympathetic nervous system, which
prepares the body for fight-or-flight. Common findings include
tachycardia, dry mouth, rapid speech, and shallow breathing.
A: The parasympathetic system promotes rest and recovery, not
acute stress activation.
C: Hypoglycemia can cause symptoms like sweating and
shakiness, but the scenario primarily reflects stress physiology.
D: This describes a behavioral judgment rather than a biological
stress response.
Teaching Point: Stress activates the sympathetic nervous
system and prepares the body for action.
Citation: Morgan, K. (2024). Davis Advantage for Townsend’s
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
2. Recognizing physiologic stress cues
,Reference: Unit 1, Chapter 1 — Stress as a Biological Response
A nurse is assessing a client after a sudden family emergency.
Which finding most strongly suggests an acute stress response?
A. Slow, even respirations and relaxed posture
B. Increased pulse rate and elevated blood pressure
C. Decreased alertness and slowed speech
D. Diminished response to pain and fatigue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Correct: Acute stress commonly causes sympathetic
stimulation, including increased heart rate and blood pressure.
These changes reflect the body’s attempt to respond quickly to
threat.
A: These findings are more consistent with relaxation or
recovery.
C: Slowed speech and decreased alertness are not typical early
stress responses.
D: Stress usually increases arousal rather than reducing
responsiveness to pain.
Teaching Point: Acute stress usually produces increased
arousal, not calmness or slowing.
Citation: Morgan, K. (2024). Davis Advantage for Townsend’s
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
, 3. Stress and homeostasis
Reference: Unit 1, Chapter 1 — Stress as a Biological Response
A client says, “I feel physically worn out after months of
caregiving.” The nurse explains that prolonged stress can affect
the body by:
A. Keeping the body in a constant state of homeostasis
B. Preventing the need for coping strategies
C. Disrupting the body’s ability to return to balance
D. Eliminating the stress response over time
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Correct: Prolonged stress can disrupt homeostasis and leave the
body less able to return to a balanced state. This contributes to
physical and emotional exhaustion.
A: Stress does not maintain homeostasis; it challenges it.
B: Long-term stress increases the need for coping strategies.
D: The stress response does not disappear simply because it is
prolonged.
Teaching Point: Chronic stress can wear down the body’s ability
to restore balance.
Citation: Morgan, K. (2024). Davis Advantage for Townsend’s
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
4. Environmental stressor identification
