Ch 1 Stress Adaptation Test Bank Exam
Questions and Answers
6. A bright student confides in the school nurse about conflicts related to attending
college or working to add needed financial support to the family. Which coping
strategy is most appropriate for the nurse to recommend to the student at this time?
A. Meditation
B. Problem-solving training
C. Relaxation
D. Journaling - Answer-ANS: B The student must assess his or her situation and
determine the best course of action. Problem-solving training, by providing structure
and objectivity, can assist in decision making.
7. An unemployed college graduate is experiencing severe anxiety over not finding a
teaching position and has difficulty with independent problem-solving. During a
routine physical examination, the graduate confides in the clinic nurse. Which is the
most appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Encourage the student to use the alternative coping mechanism of relaxation
exercises.
B. Complete the problem-solving process for the client.
C. Work through the problem-solving process with the client.
D. Encourage the client to keep a journal. - Answer-ANS: C During times of high
anxiety and stress, clients will need more assistance in problem-solving and decision
making.
8. A school nurse is assessing a distraught female high school student who is overly
concerned because her parents cant afford horseback riding lessons. How should
the nurse interpret the students reaction to her perceived problem?
A. The problem is endangering her well-being.
B. The problem is personally relevant to her.
C. The problem is based on immaturity.
D. The problem is exceeding her capacity to cope. - Answer-ANS: B Psychological
stressors to self-esteem and self-image are related to how the individual perceives
the situation or event. Self-image is of particular importance to adolescents, who feel
entitled to have all the advantages that other adolescents experience
9. Meditation has been shown to be an effective stress management technique.
When meditation is effective, what should a nurse expect to assess?
A. An achieved state of relaxation
B. An achieved insight into ones feelings
C. A demonstration of appropriate role behaviors
D. An enhanced ability to problem-solve - Answer-ANS: A Meditation produces
relaxation by creating a special state of consciousness through focused
concentration.
, 10. A distraught, single, first-time mother cries and asks a nurse, How can I go to
work if I cant afford childcare? What is the nurses initial action in assisting the client
with the problem-solving process?
A. Determine the risks and benefits for each alternative.
B. Formulate goals for resolution of the problem.
C. Evaluate the outcome of the implemented alternative.
D. Assess the facts of the situation. - Answer-ANS: D Before any other steps can be
taken, accurate information about the situation must be gathered and assessed
11. A nursing instructor is asking students about diseases of adaptation and when
they are likely to occur. Which student response indicates that learning has
occurred?
A. When an individual has limited experience dealing with stress
B. When an individual inherits maladaptive genes
C. When an individual experiences existing conditions that exacerbate stress
D. When an individuals physiological and psychological resources have become
depleted - Answer-ANS: D During the stage of exhaustion of the general adaptation
syndrome, the individual loses the capacity to adapt effectively because
physiological and psychological resources have become depleted. This is the time
when diseases of adaptation may occur.
12. When an individuals stress response is sustained over a long period of time,
which physiological effect of the endocrine system should a nurse anticipate?
A. Decreased resistance to disease
B. Increased libido
C. Decreased blood pressure
D. Increased inflammatory response - Answer-ANS: A In a general adaptation
syndrome, prolonged exposure to stress leads to the stage of exhaustion at which
time the bodys compensatory mechanisms no longer function effectively and
diseases of adaptation occur. A decreased immune response is seen at this stage.
13. Which symptom should a nurse identify as typical of the fight-or-flight response?
A. Pupil constriction
B. Increased heart rate
C. Increased salivation
D. Increased peristalsis - Answer-ANS: B During the fight-or-flight response, the
heart rate increases in response to the release of epinephrine. Pupils dilate to
enhance vision. Salivation and peristalsis decrease as the body slows unessential
functions. OK
17. A nurse is interviewing a distressed client, who relates being fired after 15 years
of loyal employment. Which of the following questions would best assist the nurse to
determine the clients appraisal of the situation? Select all that apply.
A. What resources have you used previously in stressful situations?
Questions and Answers
6. A bright student confides in the school nurse about conflicts related to attending
college or working to add needed financial support to the family. Which coping
strategy is most appropriate for the nurse to recommend to the student at this time?
A. Meditation
B. Problem-solving training
C. Relaxation
D. Journaling - Answer-ANS: B The student must assess his or her situation and
determine the best course of action. Problem-solving training, by providing structure
and objectivity, can assist in decision making.
7. An unemployed college graduate is experiencing severe anxiety over not finding a
teaching position and has difficulty with independent problem-solving. During a
routine physical examination, the graduate confides in the clinic nurse. Which is the
most appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Encourage the student to use the alternative coping mechanism of relaxation
exercises.
B. Complete the problem-solving process for the client.
C. Work through the problem-solving process with the client.
D. Encourage the client to keep a journal. - Answer-ANS: C During times of high
anxiety and stress, clients will need more assistance in problem-solving and decision
making.
8. A school nurse is assessing a distraught female high school student who is overly
concerned because her parents cant afford horseback riding lessons. How should
the nurse interpret the students reaction to her perceived problem?
A. The problem is endangering her well-being.
B. The problem is personally relevant to her.
C. The problem is based on immaturity.
D. The problem is exceeding her capacity to cope. - Answer-ANS: B Psychological
stressors to self-esteem and self-image are related to how the individual perceives
the situation or event. Self-image is of particular importance to adolescents, who feel
entitled to have all the advantages that other adolescents experience
9. Meditation has been shown to be an effective stress management technique.
When meditation is effective, what should a nurse expect to assess?
A. An achieved state of relaxation
B. An achieved insight into ones feelings
C. A demonstration of appropriate role behaviors
D. An enhanced ability to problem-solve - Answer-ANS: A Meditation produces
relaxation by creating a special state of consciousness through focused
concentration.
, 10. A distraught, single, first-time mother cries and asks a nurse, How can I go to
work if I cant afford childcare? What is the nurses initial action in assisting the client
with the problem-solving process?
A. Determine the risks and benefits for each alternative.
B. Formulate goals for resolution of the problem.
C. Evaluate the outcome of the implemented alternative.
D. Assess the facts of the situation. - Answer-ANS: D Before any other steps can be
taken, accurate information about the situation must be gathered and assessed
11. A nursing instructor is asking students about diseases of adaptation and when
they are likely to occur. Which student response indicates that learning has
occurred?
A. When an individual has limited experience dealing with stress
B. When an individual inherits maladaptive genes
C. When an individual experiences existing conditions that exacerbate stress
D. When an individuals physiological and psychological resources have become
depleted - Answer-ANS: D During the stage of exhaustion of the general adaptation
syndrome, the individual loses the capacity to adapt effectively because
physiological and psychological resources have become depleted. This is the time
when diseases of adaptation may occur.
12. When an individuals stress response is sustained over a long period of time,
which physiological effect of the endocrine system should a nurse anticipate?
A. Decreased resistance to disease
B. Increased libido
C. Decreased blood pressure
D. Increased inflammatory response - Answer-ANS: A In a general adaptation
syndrome, prolonged exposure to stress leads to the stage of exhaustion at which
time the bodys compensatory mechanisms no longer function effectively and
diseases of adaptation occur. A decreased immune response is seen at this stage.
13. Which symptom should a nurse identify as typical of the fight-or-flight response?
A. Pupil constriction
B. Increased heart rate
C. Increased salivation
D. Increased peristalsis - Answer-ANS: B During the fight-or-flight response, the
heart rate increases in response to the release of epinephrine. Pupils dilate to
enhance vision. Salivation and peristalsis decrease as the body slows unessential
functions. OK
17. A nurse is interviewing a distressed client, who relates being fired after 15 years
of loyal employment. Which of the following questions would best assist the nurse to
determine the clients appraisal of the situation? Select all that apply.
A. What resources have you used previously in stressful situations?
