DAVIS ADVANTAGE FOR
TOWNSEND'S PSYCHIATRIC
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KARYN MORGAN
TEST BANK
1. Stress as a Biological Response
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Concept of Stress Adaptation — Stress
as a Biological Response
Question Stem:
A college student arrives at the clinic before final exams and
reports a racing heart, dry mouth, and “feeling keyed up.” Vital
signs show mild tachycardia, but the patient is alert and
oriented. Which nursing response best explains the situation?
,A. “These symptoms mean you are having a panic disorder.”
B. “Your body is mounting a normal physiologic stress
response.”
C. “You should avoid all caffeine for the rest of your life.”
D. “Your symptoms show that your coping ability is
permanently impaired.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
These findings are consistent with the sympathetic nervous
system’s normal response to stress. The nurse should normalize
the response and support adaptive coping rather than labeling
it as pathology. This response reflects accurate understanding of
stress as a biological process.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Panic disorder cannot be concluded from these symptoms
alone. The presentation may reflect a normal stress reaction.
C. Caffeine reduction may help, but this is not the best
explanation of the current symptoms.
D. There is no evidence of permanent impairment in coping.
Teaching Point:
Stress can trigger normal autonomic activation without
indicating mental illness.
Citation:
Morgan, K. (2024). Davis Advantage for Townsend’s Psychiatric
Mental Health Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
,2. Environmental Event as a Stressor
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Concept of Stress Adaptation — Stress
as an Environmental Event
Question Stem:
A patient says, “Since I lost my job and had to move in with
relatives, I cannot sleep and I feel tense all day.” Which
interpretation is most accurate?
A. The job loss and relocation are environmental stressors.
B. The patient is experiencing a fixed personality disorder.
C. The sleep problem is unrelated to the life change.
D. The patient is overreacting because these are minor events.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Loss of employment and forced relocation are external stressors
that can disrupt adaptation. The nurse recognizes these as
environmental events affecting the patient’s stress response.
This supports assessment of the patient’s current coping needs.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
B. Nothing in the scenario suggests a personality disorder.
C. Sleep disruption is commonly related to stress and life
disruption.
D. The nurse should avoid minimizing the patient’s experience.
, Teaching Point:
Environmental change can be a major stressor even when
others view it as ordinary.
Citation:
Morgan, K. (2024). Davis Advantage for Townsend’s Psychiatric
Mental Health Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
3. Stress as a Transaction
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Concept of Stress Adaptation — Stress
as a Transaction Between the Individual and the Environment
Question Stem:
Two students receive the same difficult assignment. One says, “I
can break it into steps and finish it,” while the other says, “This
is impossible; I will fail.” Which nursing concept best explains
the different reactions?
A. Both students are showing identical stress responses.
B. Stress depends on how each person appraises the event.
C. The second student has a stronger immune system.
D. Only the assignment itself determines the amount of stress.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Stress is transactional: the person’s interpretation of the
situation influences the response. Appraisal, coping resources,
and perceived control shape whether the event feels
TOWNSEND'S PSYCHIATRIC
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KARYN MORGAN
TEST BANK
1. Stress as a Biological Response
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Concept of Stress Adaptation — Stress
as a Biological Response
Question Stem:
A college student arrives at the clinic before final exams and
reports a racing heart, dry mouth, and “feeling keyed up.” Vital
signs show mild tachycardia, but the patient is alert and
oriented. Which nursing response best explains the situation?
,A. “These symptoms mean you are having a panic disorder.”
B. “Your body is mounting a normal physiologic stress
response.”
C. “You should avoid all caffeine for the rest of your life.”
D. “Your symptoms show that your coping ability is
permanently impaired.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
These findings are consistent with the sympathetic nervous
system’s normal response to stress. The nurse should normalize
the response and support adaptive coping rather than labeling
it as pathology. This response reflects accurate understanding of
stress as a biological process.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Panic disorder cannot be concluded from these symptoms
alone. The presentation may reflect a normal stress reaction.
C. Caffeine reduction may help, but this is not the best
explanation of the current symptoms.
D. There is no evidence of permanent impairment in coping.
Teaching Point:
Stress can trigger normal autonomic activation without
indicating mental illness.
Citation:
Morgan, K. (2024). Davis Advantage for Townsend’s Psychiatric
Mental Health Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
,2. Environmental Event as a Stressor
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Concept of Stress Adaptation — Stress
as an Environmental Event
Question Stem:
A patient says, “Since I lost my job and had to move in with
relatives, I cannot sleep and I feel tense all day.” Which
interpretation is most accurate?
A. The job loss and relocation are environmental stressors.
B. The patient is experiencing a fixed personality disorder.
C. The sleep problem is unrelated to the life change.
D. The patient is overreacting because these are minor events.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Loss of employment and forced relocation are external stressors
that can disrupt adaptation. The nurse recognizes these as
environmental events affecting the patient’s stress response.
This supports assessment of the patient’s current coping needs.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
B. Nothing in the scenario suggests a personality disorder.
C. Sleep disruption is commonly related to stress and life
disruption.
D. The nurse should avoid minimizing the patient’s experience.
, Teaching Point:
Environmental change can be a major stressor even when
others view it as ordinary.
Citation:
Morgan, K. (2024). Davis Advantage for Townsend’s Psychiatric
Mental Health Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
3. Stress as a Transaction
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Concept of Stress Adaptation — Stress
as a Transaction Between the Individual and the Environment
Question Stem:
Two students receive the same difficult assignment. One says, “I
can break it into steps and finish it,” while the other says, “This
is impossible; I will fail.” Which nursing concept best explains
the different reactions?
A. Both students are showing identical stress responses.
B. Stress depends on how each person appraises the event.
C. The second student has a stronger immune system.
D. Only the assignment itself determines the amount of stress.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Stress is transactional: the person’s interpretation of the
situation influences the response. Appraisal, coping resources,
and perceived control shape whether the event feels
