Galen College NSG 3130 Exam 3 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Fundamental
Concepts & Skills for Nursing Practice II Q&A | Nursing
1. The nurse is caring for a patient experiencing stress. The patient asks,
"Why do some people seem to handle stress better than others?" The nurse's
response is based on the understanding that the theory explaining variation
in response to stress among individuals is identified by which term?
A) Stress appraisal
B) Sense of coherence
C) Allostasis
D) Homeostasis
Correct Answer: Sense of coherence
Rationale: Sense of coherence is a theory that explains the variation in
response to stress among individuals. It is composed of three elements:
comprehensibility (the ability to grasp life events), meaningfulness (seeing
problems as challenges), and manageability (the ability to use available
resources).
2. The nurse is teaching a patient about the body's response to stress. The
nurse explains that the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) consists of
which three stages?
A) Alarm, recovery, and exhaustion
B) Alarm, resistance, and exhaustion
C) Anxiety, resistance, and recovery
D) Alarm, adaptation, and exhaustion
Correct Answer: Alarm, resistance, and exhaustion
,Rationale: The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is a model of the body's
stress response, consisting of three stages: alarm, resistance, and
exhaustion. The body responds in the same way to any demand, whether it
be physical, emotional, pleasant, or unpleasant.
3. The nurse is assessing a patient who has been under prolonged, severe
stress. The patient reports feeling exhausted and unable to cope. The nurse
understands that the patient is likely in which stage of the General
Adaptation Syndrome?
A) Alarm stage
B) Resistance stage
C) Exhaustion stage
D) Recovery stage
Correct Answer: Exhaustion stage
Rationale: In the exhaustion phase of the General Adaptation Syndrome, the
body becomes overwhelmed and there are no resources left to facilitate
recovery. This stage occurs when the body's adaptive mechanisms are
depleted after prolonged exposure to a stressor.
4. The nurse is assessing a patient who has experienced a sudden traumatic
event. The patient's heart rate is elevated, and they report feeling a "rush" of
energy. The nurse recognizes this as which stage of the General Adaptation
Syndrome?
A) Alarm stage
B) Resistance stage
C) Exhaustion stage
D) Recovery stage
Correct Answer: Alarm stage
,Rationale: The alarm stage is the initial response to a stressor, where the
body's "fight or flight" response is activated. The general adaptation
syndrome is evoked when the stimulation or stressor is strong enough to
activate the autonomic nervous branch of the central nervous system.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with a terminal
illness. The patient states, "I don't think the test results could be right. There
must be a mistake." According to Kübler-Ross, the nurse identifies that this
statement is associated with which stage?
A) Anxiety
B) Denial
C) Bargaining
D) Depression
Correct Answer: Denial
Rationale: Denial is the first stage of Kübler-Ross's grief model, characterized
by shock and disbelief. The patient's statement about the test results being
incorrect reflects an inability to accept the reality of the diagnosis.
6. A hospice nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient. The patient states, "If I
can just live long enough to see my daughter get married, I'll be at peace."
The nurse recognizes this statement as reflecting which stage of grief?
A) Denial
B) Anger
C) Bargaining
D) Depression
Correct Answer: Bargaining
, Rationale: Bargaining is a stage where the individual attempts to negotiate a
delay or change in the outcome. The patient is trying to make a deal for
more time to reach a meaningful milestone. This is a normal response when
facing an inevitable loss.
7. A nurse is providing post-mortem care to a patient who has died. The
family member states, "This is all the doctor's fault. They should have done
more." The nurse recognizes this statement as reflecting which stage of
grief?
A) Denial
B) Anger
C) Bargaining
D) Acceptance
Correct Answer: Anger
Rationale: Anger is a common stage of grief where the individual directs
frustration and rage at others, including healthcare providers. This anger
often masks deeper feelings of helplessness and pain. The nurse should
respond with empathy.
8. A patient whose child died suddenly is withdrawn, refuses visitors, and
states, "There's no point in anything anymore." The nurse identifies this as
which stage of grief?
A) Denial
B) Anger
C) Bargaining
D) Depression
Concepts & Skills for Nursing Practice II Q&A | Nursing
1. The nurse is caring for a patient experiencing stress. The patient asks,
"Why do some people seem to handle stress better than others?" The nurse's
response is based on the understanding that the theory explaining variation
in response to stress among individuals is identified by which term?
A) Stress appraisal
B) Sense of coherence
C) Allostasis
D) Homeostasis
Correct Answer: Sense of coherence
Rationale: Sense of coherence is a theory that explains the variation in
response to stress among individuals. It is composed of three elements:
comprehensibility (the ability to grasp life events), meaningfulness (seeing
problems as challenges), and manageability (the ability to use available
resources).
2. The nurse is teaching a patient about the body's response to stress. The
nurse explains that the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) consists of
which three stages?
A) Alarm, recovery, and exhaustion
B) Alarm, resistance, and exhaustion
C) Anxiety, resistance, and recovery
D) Alarm, adaptation, and exhaustion
Correct Answer: Alarm, resistance, and exhaustion
,Rationale: The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is a model of the body's
stress response, consisting of three stages: alarm, resistance, and
exhaustion. The body responds in the same way to any demand, whether it
be physical, emotional, pleasant, or unpleasant.
3. The nurse is assessing a patient who has been under prolonged, severe
stress. The patient reports feeling exhausted and unable to cope. The nurse
understands that the patient is likely in which stage of the General
Adaptation Syndrome?
A) Alarm stage
B) Resistance stage
C) Exhaustion stage
D) Recovery stage
Correct Answer: Exhaustion stage
Rationale: In the exhaustion phase of the General Adaptation Syndrome, the
body becomes overwhelmed and there are no resources left to facilitate
recovery. This stage occurs when the body's adaptive mechanisms are
depleted after prolonged exposure to a stressor.
4. The nurse is assessing a patient who has experienced a sudden traumatic
event. The patient's heart rate is elevated, and they report feeling a "rush" of
energy. The nurse recognizes this as which stage of the General Adaptation
Syndrome?
A) Alarm stage
B) Resistance stage
C) Exhaustion stage
D) Recovery stage
Correct Answer: Alarm stage
,Rationale: The alarm stage is the initial response to a stressor, where the
body's "fight or flight" response is activated. The general adaptation
syndrome is evoked when the stimulation or stressor is strong enough to
activate the autonomic nervous branch of the central nervous system.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with a terminal
illness. The patient states, "I don't think the test results could be right. There
must be a mistake." According to Kübler-Ross, the nurse identifies that this
statement is associated with which stage?
A) Anxiety
B) Denial
C) Bargaining
D) Depression
Correct Answer: Denial
Rationale: Denial is the first stage of Kübler-Ross's grief model, characterized
by shock and disbelief. The patient's statement about the test results being
incorrect reflects an inability to accept the reality of the diagnosis.
6. A hospice nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient. The patient states, "If I
can just live long enough to see my daughter get married, I'll be at peace."
The nurse recognizes this statement as reflecting which stage of grief?
A) Denial
B) Anger
C) Bargaining
D) Depression
Correct Answer: Bargaining
, Rationale: Bargaining is a stage where the individual attempts to negotiate a
delay or change in the outcome. The patient is trying to make a deal for
more time to reach a meaningful milestone. This is a normal response when
facing an inevitable loss.
7. A nurse is providing post-mortem care to a patient who has died. The
family member states, "This is all the doctor's fault. They should have done
more." The nurse recognizes this statement as reflecting which stage of
grief?
A) Denial
B) Anger
C) Bargaining
D) Acceptance
Correct Answer: Anger
Rationale: Anger is a common stage of grief where the individual directs
frustration and rage at others, including healthcare providers. This anger
often masks deeper feelings of helplessness and pain. The nurse should
respond with empathy.
8. A patient whose child died suddenly is withdrawn, refuses visitors, and
states, "There's no point in anything anymore." The nurse identifies this as
which stage of grief?
A) Denial
B) Anger
C) Bargaining
D) Depression
