Chapter 11: Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Although stress may result from either a positive or a negative event, the physical effects are
similar. Which statement best describes the long term effects of stress?
a. Eustress is likely to result in short term stress.
b. Chronic distress can take a toll on the individual.
c. Stress usually manifests in physical symptoms first.
d. Distress generally results in more effective coping skills.
ANS: B
Distress is damaging to an individual whether it is a result of either positive or negative stress.
This stressor can become chronic if the conflict is not resolved. Distress can take a toll on an
individuals body as well as on his or her emotional state. Eustress occurs as a result of a positive
stress such as from anticipation of a childs birth but such stress is not necessarily short term and
can result in the same symptoms as distress. Distress is less likely to occur if previous stress has
brought about good coping skills.
2. When explaining the fight-or-flight response to stress, the nurse identifies that the role of the
pituitary gland is to:
a. Minimize the secretion of cortisol.
b. Facilitate the conservation of energy.
c. Secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone.
d. Encourage fleeing from the stressor.
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,ANS: C
The pituitary gland secretes adrenocorticotropic hormone, which stimulates the adrenal cortex to
release cortisol. Cortisol is involved in helping the entire body to react to the stress by mobilizing
the energy reserves so that the body can rapidly respond to the stressors by either fighting or
fleeing.
3. It is believed that an individuals locus of control has a major role to play in how stress will be
handled. Which statement characterizes an internal locus of control?
a. Ill need to manage my money better in order to get out of debt.
b. The economy has really caused my finances to be in a real mess.
c. I dont think Ill ever be able to save enough to pay off my bills.
d. Having a family makes being able to stay out of debt really difficult.
ANS: A
Individuals who demonstrate an internal locus of control view their capability to have personal
success or failure as having to do with their own efforts and their ability to complete a task. An
individual with an external locus of control views task completion as having to do with
circumstances beyond his or her control. The options involving the economy, never being able to
pay off the bills, and having a family exhibit external control locus.
4. A nurse manager is attempting to address issues of work-related stress and dissatisfaction on
the unit. Which administrative intervention has been identified through research as providing the
most positive impact on staff morale even when job demands are high?
a. Scheduling so that all staff gets two weekends off a month
b. Arranging for extra staff when patient activity is above the unit average
c. Offering a paid vacation day to anyone who has no absents for six months
d. Assuring that no staff will be mandated overtime more than twice monthly
ANS: C
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, Workplaces with positive social interactions involve less stress, even when the job demands are
high. When there is competition among workers, negative interactions among staff members, and
no assistance when the workload becomes overwhelming, job dissatisfaction and stress is
evident. The nurse manager will best impact the stress and resulting dissatisfaction by arranging
for help with patient care when the need exists. Although the other options are not inappropriate,
they do not address the issue research has identified as the primary cause of stress in the
workplace.
5. The nurse suggests that a patient help manage the stressors that are triggering generalized
anxiety by implementing compartmentalization. Which activity provides proof that the patient is
employing this healthy defense mechanism?
a. Attends a meditation class 3 times a week right after work
b. Uses chocolate as a reward when keeping stress under control
c. Counts to 10 before responding to a coworker who is a source of stress
d. Shares with the office manager the situations that regularly cause increased
stress
ANS: A
The person who uses compartmentalization learns to leave the stressor in a designated space. An
example of this mechanism would be regularly attending a class that serves to separate the
stressful work environment from ones private life. Using food as a reward may not be healthy
and as with the remaining options, it is not examples of compartmentalization.
6. The spouse of a patient exhibiting symptoms of chronic stress asks how they can help their
spouse. Which suggestion by the nurse shows an understanding of a family members role in the
management of stress?
a. Offer to discuss the problem with the person who is most responsible for causing
their spouses stress.
b. Listen attentively when their spouse talks about the stressors and provide hugs to
show your support.
HTTPS://PASINGGRADES.COM/
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Although stress may result from either a positive or a negative event, the physical effects are
similar. Which statement best describes the long term effects of stress?
a. Eustress is likely to result in short term stress.
b. Chronic distress can take a toll on the individual.
c. Stress usually manifests in physical symptoms first.
d. Distress generally results in more effective coping skills.
ANS: B
Distress is damaging to an individual whether it is a result of either positive or negative stress.
This stressor can become chronic if the conflict is not resolved. Distress can take a toll on an
individuals body as well as on his or her emotional state. Eustress occurs as a result of a positive
stress such as from anticipation of a childs birth but such stress is not necessarily short term and
can result in the same symptoms as distress. Distress is less likely to occur if previous stress has
brought about good coping skills.
2. When explaining the fight-or-flight response to stress, the nurse identifies that the role of the
pituitary gland is to:
a. Minimize the secretion of cortisol.
b. Facilitate the conservation of energy.
c. Secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone.
d. Encourage fleeing from the stressor.
HTTPS://PASINGGRADES.COM/
,ANS: C
The pituitary gland secretes adrenocorticotropic hormone, which stimulates the adrenal cortex to
release cortisol. Cortisol is involved in helping the entire body to react to the stress by mobilizing
the energy reserves so that the body can rapidly respond to the stressors by either fighting or
fleeing.
3. It is believed that an individuals locus of control has a major role to play in how stress will be
handled. Which statement characterizes an internal locus of control?
a. Ill need to manage my money better in order to get out of debt.
b. The economy has really caused my finances to be in a real mess.
c. I dont think Ill ever be able to save enough to pay off my bills.
d. Having a family makes being able to stay out of debt really difficult.
ANS: A
Individuals who demonstrate an internal locus of control view their capability to have personal
success or failure as having to do with their own efforts and their ability to complete a task. An
individual with an external locus of control views task completion as having to do with
circumstances beyond his or her control. The options involving the economy, never being able to
pay off the bills, and having a family exhibit external control locus.
4. A nurse manager is attempting to address issues of work-related stress and dissatisfaction on
the unit. Which administrative intervention has been identified through research as providing the
most positive impact on staff morale even when job demands are high?
a. Scheduling so that all staff gets two weekends off a month
b. Arranging for extra staff when patient activity is above the unit average
c. Offering a paid vacation day to anyone who has no absents for six months
d. Assuring that no staff will be mandated overtime more than twice monthly
ANS: C
HTTPS://PASINGGRADES.COM/
, Workplaces with positive social interactions involve less stress, even when the job demands are
high. When there is competition among workers, negative interactions among staff members, and
no assistance when the workload becomes overwhelming, job dissatisfaction and stress is
evident. The nurse manager will best impact the stress and resulting dissatisfaction by arranging
for help with patient care when the need exists. Although the other options are not inappropriate,
they do not address the issue research has identified as the primary cause of stress in the
workplace.
5. The nurse suggests that a patient help manage the stressors that are triggering generalized
anxiety by implementing compartmentalization. Which activity provides proof that the patient is
employing this healthy defense mechanism?
a. Attends a meditation class 3 times a week right after work
b. Uses chocolate as a reward when keeping stress under control
c. Counts to 10 before responding to a coworker who is a source of stress
d. Shares with the office manager the situations that regularly cause increased
stress
ANS: A
The person who uses compartmentalization learns to leave the stressor in a designated space. An
example of this mechanism would be regularly attending a class that serves to separate the
stressful work environment from ones private life. Using food as a reward may not be healthy
and as with the remaining options, it is not examples of compartmentalization.
6. The spouse of a patient exhibiting symptoms of chronic stress asks how they can help their
spouse. Which suggestion by the nurse shows an understanding of a family members role in the
management of stress?
a. Offer to discuss the problem with the person who is most responsible for causing
their spouses stress.
b. Listen attentively when their spouse talks about the stressors and provide hugs to
show your support.
HTTPS://PASINGGRADES.COM/
