PSYCHIATRIC NURSING EXAM 1 STUDY
GUIDE 2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ stressor. Answer: a biological, psychological, social, or chemical
factor that causes physical or emotional tension
◉ stress. Answer: an individual's reaction to any change that requires
adjustment or response, this can be physical, mental or emotional
◉ maladaptive response. Answer: behavior disrupts the integrity of the
individual, these responses are considered harmful and unhealthy.
◉ three concepts of stress. Answer: 1.stress as a biological response
2. stress as an environmental event,
3. stress between transaction between the individual and the
environment
◉ flight or flight syndrome is known as. Answer: general adaptive
syndrome
◉ what are the 3 stages of the general adaptive syndrome. Answer: 1.
alarm reaction stage
2. stage of resistance
,3. stage of exhaustion
◉ what is a biological response to stress?. Answer: flight of flight
syndrome, response to change in system
◉ the alarm reaction stage is when?. Answer: the physiological
responses of the flight or fight syndrome are initiated.
◉ What happens in the stage of resistance ?. Answer: The individual
uses the physiological responses that occurred in the alarm reaction
stage as a defense mechanism
◉ What happens when adaptation occurs in the stage of resistance ?.
Answer: the individual avoids the third stage (stage of exhaustion) or
this stage is delayed.
◉ What happens in the stage of exhaustion ?. Answer: this occurs when
the body is dealing with prolonged exposure to the stressor. energy is
depleted. individual may experience headaches, mental disorders, ulcers,
CAD etc.
◉ Adaptation. Answer: process in which the individuals response to
change results in preservation of the individuals integrity or timely
return to equilibrium
, ◉ What is stress caused by an environmental event?. Answer: an event
that triggers an individuals adaptive physiological and psychological
responses. event causes change in the individuals life pattern and the
individual requires adjustment in lifestyle. change can be either negative
or positive.
◉ what does Stress as a transaction between the individual and the
environment mean?. Answer: relationship between internal variables
(person) and the external variables (environment). There are three
concepts to this: precipitating event, individuals perception to the event,
and predisposing factors.
◉ Whats a precipitating event. Answer: a stimulus arising from the
internal or external environment and perceived by the individual in a
specific manner. The individuals cognitive appraisal will determine if it
causes stress or not.
◉ cognitive appraisal. Answer: Personal interpretation of the situation
that triggers stress
◉ The individuals perception of the event. Answer: There are two types
primary appraisal and secondary appraisal.
◉ what is primary appraisal?. Answer: There are three types:
1. irrelevant
2. benign-positive
3. stressful
GUIDE 2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ stressor. Answer: a biological, psychological, social, or chemical
factor that causes physical or emotional tension
◉ stress. Answer: an individual's reaction to any change that requires
adjustment or response, this can be physical, mental or emotional
◉ maladaptive response. Answer: behavior disrupts the integrity of the
individual, these responses are considered harmful and unhealthy.
◉ three concepts of stress. Answer: 1.stress as a biological response
2. stress as an environmental event,
3. stress between transaction between the individual and the
environment
◉ flight or flight syndrome is known as. Answer: general adaptive
syndrome
◉ what are the 3 stages of the general adaptive syndrome. Answer: 1.
alarm reaction stage
2. stage of resistance
,3. stage of exhaustion
◉ what is a biological response to stress?. Answer: flight of flight
syndrome, response to change in system
◉ the alarm reaction stage is when?. Answer: the physiological
responses of the flight or fight syndrome are initiated.
◉ What happens in the stage of resistance ?. Answer: The individual
uses the physiological responses that occurred in the alarm reaction
stage as a defense mechanism
◉ What happens when adaptation occurs in the stage of resistance ?.
Answer: the individual avoids the third stage (stage of exhaustion) or
this stage is delayed.
◉ What happens in the stage of exhaustion ?. Answer: this occurs when
the body is dealing with prolonged exposure to the stressor. energy is
depleted. individual may experience headaches, mental disorders, ulcers,
CAD etc.
◉ Adaptation. Answer: process in which the individuals response to
change results in preservation of the individuals integrity or timely
return to equilibrium
, ◉ What is stress caused by an environmental event?. Answer: an event
that triggers an individuals adaptive physiological and psychological
responses. event causes change in the individuals life pattern and the
individual requires adjustment in lifestyle. change can be either negative
or positive.
◉ what does Stress as a transaction between the individual and the
environment mean?. Answer: relationship between internal variables
(person) and the external variables (environment). There are three
concepts to this: precipitating event, individuals perception to the event,
and predisposing factors.
◉ Whats a precipitating event. Answer: a stimulus arising from the
internal or external environment and perceived by the individual in a
specific manner. The individuals cognitive appraisal will determine if it
causes stress or not.
◉ cognitive appraisal. Answer: Personal interpretation of the situation
that triggers stress
◉ The individuals perception of the event. Answer: There are two types
primary appraisal and secondary appraisal.
◉ what is primary appraisal?. Answer: There are three types:
1. irrelevant
2. benign-positive
3. stressful
