National University NUR 304 Module 4 (pdf) | 2026/2027 |Advanced
Health Assessment Q&A | Nursing
1. A nurse is teaching a patient about stress management. Which statement
best describes the relationship between stress and health?
A) Stress is always harmful and should be completely eliminated from one's
life
B) Stress triggers adaptive responses that can be either positive or negative
depending on the situation
C) Stress only affects psychological well-being and has no impact on physical
health
D) Stress management strategies are only effective for acute, not chronic,
stressors
Correct Answer: Stress triggers adaptive responses that can be either
positive or negative depending on the situation
Rationale: Stress is not inherently harmful; it can trigger adaptive responses
that promote growth and resilience. Distress, however, occurs when stress is
chronic or excessive, threatening homeostasis. Understanding this distinction
is essential for effective stress management and health promotion.
2. A patient reports feeling overwhelmed by work demands and family
responsibilities. The nurse identifies this as a stressor. According to the
General Adaptation Syndrome, which stage occurs when the body's adaptive
resources are exhausted?
A) Alarm reaction
B) Resistance stage
C) Exhaustion stage
D) Recovery stage
Correct Answer: Exhaustion stage
,Rationale: Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome describes three stages
of stress response: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. The exhaustion stage
occurs when adaptive resources are depleted, leading to decreased stress
resistance and potential health problems. This understanding is fundamental
to assessing stress-related health risks.
3. A nurse is assessing a patient's coping mechanisms. Which of the
following is an example of a maladaptive coping strategy?
A) Engaging in regular physical exercise
B) Practicing mindfulness and meditation
C) Using alcohol to manage stress
D) Seeking social support from family and friends
Correct Answer: Using alcohol to manage stress
Rationale: Maladaptive coping strategies are behaviors that provide
temporary relief but exacerbate stress in the long term. Excessive alcohol
use is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Healthy coping
strategies include exercise, mindfulness, and social support, which promote
resilience and well-being.
4. A patient with a new diagnosis of cancer is experiencing significant
anxiety. The nurse recognizes that this stressor is classified as:
A) Physiologic stressor
B) Extrinsic stressor
C) Emotional/Psychologic stressor
D) Modifiable stressor
Correct Answer: Emotional/Psychologic stressor
,Rationale: Emotional or psychologic stressors include events such as a
diagnosis of cancer, death of a spouse, or marital problems. These stressors
trigger emotional and psychological responses that can affect overall health
and require targeted nursing interventions to support coping.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about the physiologic effects of the stress
response. Which of the following is a physiologic effect of the fight-or-flight
response?
A) Decreased heart rate
B) Decreased blood pressure
C) Increased blood glucose levels
D) Decreased respiratory rate
Correct Answer: Increased blood glucose levels
Rationale: The fight-or-flight response, mediated by the sympathetic nervous
system, triggers the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine. This leads to
increased metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and blood
glucose levels to prepare the body for action.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient for signs of stress. Which of the following is
a sociobehavioral effect of chronic stress?
A) Improved immune function
B) Increased social engagement
C) Social isolation
D) Enhanced problem-solving ability
Correct Answer: Social isolation
, Rationale: Chronic stress can lead to maladaptive sociobehavioral responses,
including social isolation, overeating, and excessive use of alcohol or drugs.
These behaviors are associated with increased morbidity and mortality,
highlighting the importance of assessing coping strategies.
7. A nurse is evaluating a patient's response to stress. Which of the following
statements reflects the concept of homeodynamics?
A) "The body maintains a stable internal environment through a single
mechanism."
B) "Stress disrupts homeostasis, which triggers efforts to restore stability."
C) "Homeostasis is a static state that does not change over time."
D) "The body's response to stress is always maladaptive."
Correct Answer: "Stress disrupts homeostasis, which triggers efforts to
restore stability."
Rationale: Homeodynamics extends the concept of homeostasis to describe
the continuously changing nature and interaction among life processes.
Stress threatens homeodynamics, triggering physiological, behavioral, and
social responses to restore stability.
8. A nurse is planning a stress management program for a community group.
Which intervention is most consistent with evidence-based stress
management strategies?
A) Encouraging participants to avoid all stressful situations
B) Teaching relaxation techniques such as guided imagery
C) Recommending increased caffeine intake to improve alertness
D) Advising participants to suppress their emotional responses
Correct Answer: Teaching relaxation techniques such as guided imagery
Health Assessment Q&A | Nursing
1. A nurse is teaching a patient about stress management. Which statement
best describes the relationship between stress and health?
A) Stress is always harmful and should be completely eliminated from one's
life
B) Stress triggers adaptive responses that can be either positive or negative
depending on the situation
C) Stress only affects psychological well-being and has no impact on physical
health
D) Stress management strategies are only effective for acute, not chronic,
stressors
Correct Answer: Stress triggers adaptive responses that can be either
positive or negative depending on the situation
Rationale: Stress is not inherently harmful; it can trigger adaptive responses
that promote growth and resilience. Distress, however, occurs when stress is
chronic or excessive, threatening homeostasis. Understanding this distinction
is essential for effective stress management and health promotion.
2. A patient reports feeling overwhelmed by work demands and family
responsibilities. The nurse identifies this as a stressor. According to the
General Adaptation Syndrome, which stage occurs when the body's adaptive
resources are exhausted?
A) Alarm reaction
B) Resistance stage
C) Exhaustion stage
D) Recovery stage
Correct Answer: Exhaustion stage
,Rationale: Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome describes three stages
of stress response: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. The exhaustion stage
occurs when adaptive resources are depleted, leading to decreased stress
resistance and potential health problems. This understanding is fundamental
to assessing stress-related health risks.
3. A nurse is assessing a patient's coping mechanisms. Which of the
following is an example of a maladaptive coping strategy?
A) Engaging in regular physical exercise
B) Practicing mindfulness and meditation
C) Using alcohol to manage stress
D) Seeking social support from family and friends
Correct Answer: Using alcohol to manage stress
Rationale: Maladaptive coping strategies are behaviors that provide
temporary relief but exacerbate stress in the long term. Excessive alcohol
use is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Healthy coping
strategies include exercise, mindfulness, and social support, which promote
resilience and well-being.
4. A patient with a new diagnosis of cancer is experiencing significant
anxiety. The nurse recognizes that this stressor is classified as:
A) Physiologic stressor
B) Extrinsic stressor
C) Emotional/Psychologic stressor
D) Modifiable stressor
Correct Answer: Emotional/Psychologic stressor
,Rationale: Emotional or psychologic stressors include events such as a
diagnosis of cancer, death of a spouse, or marital problems. These stressors
trigger emotional and psychological responses that can affect overall health
and require targeted nursing interventions to support coping.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about the physiologic effects of the stress
response. Which of the following is a physiologic effect of the fight-or-flight
response?
A) Decreased heart rate
B) Decreased blood pressure
C) Increased blood glucose levels
D) Decreased respiratory rate
Correct Answer: Increased blood glucose levels
Rationale: The fight-or-flight response, mediated by the sympathetic nervous
system, triggers the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine. This leads to
increased metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and blood
glucose levels to prepare the body for action.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient for signs of stress. Which of the following is
a sociobehavioral effect of chronic stress?
A) Improved immune function
B) Increased social engagement
C) Social isolation
D) Enhanced problem-solving ability
Correct Answer: Social isolation
, Rationale: Chronic stress can lead to maladaptive sociobehavioral responses,
including social isolation, overeating, and excessive use of alcohol or drugs.
These behaviors are associated with increased morbidity and mortality,
highlighting the importance of assessing coping strategies.
7. A nurse is evaluating a patient's response to stress. Which of the following
statements reflects the concept of homeodynamics?
A) "The body maintains a stable internal environment through a single
mechanism."
B) "Stress disrupts homeostasis, which triggers efforts to restore stability."
C) "Homeostasis is a static state that does not change over time."
D) "The body's response to stress is always maladaptive."
Correct Answer: "Stress disrupts homeostasis, which triggers efforts to
restore stability."
Rationale: Homeodynamics extends the concept of homeostasis to describe
the continuously changing nature and interaction among life processes.
Stress threatens homeodynamics, triggering physiological, behavioral, and
social responses to restore stability.
8. A nurse is planning a stress management program for a community group.
Which intervention is most consistent with evidence-based stress
management strategies?
A) Encouraging participants to avoid all stressful situations
B) Teaching relaxation techniques such as guided imagery
C) Recommending increased caffeine intake to improve alertness
D) Advising participants to suppress their emotional responses
Correct Answer: Teaching relaxation techniques such as guided imagery
