Varcarolis Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing 5th Edition by Elizabeth M
Varcarolis and Margaret Jordan Fosbre Test Bank with Solution 2025/2026
Mental Health - (answer)the successful adaptation to stressors from the internal or external
environment, evidenced by thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are age appropriate and congruent
with local and cultural norms
Mental Illness - (answer)maladaptive responses to stressors from the internal or external environment,
evidenced by thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are incongruent with the local and cultural norms,
and interfere with the individual's social, occupational, and/or physical functioning
Fight or Flight- Immediate Response - (answer)hypothalamus stimulates the sympathetic nervous
system, which results in the following physical effects:
■ The adrenal medulla releases norepinephrine and epinephrine into the bloodstream.
■ The pupils of the eyes dilate.
■ In the lungs, the bronchioles dilate, and the respiration rate is increased.
■ The force of cardiac contraction increases, as does cardiac output, heart rate, and blood pressure.
■ Gastrointestinal motility and secretions decrease, and sphincters contract.
■ In the liver, there is increased glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis and decreased glycogen synthesis.
■ The bladder muscle contracts, and the sphincter relaxes; there is increased ureter motility.
■ Secretion from the sweat glands is increased.
■ Lipolysis occurs in the fat cells.
Fight or Flight- Sustained Response - (answer)hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to release
hormones that produce the following effects:
■ Adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulates the adrenal cortex to release glucocorticoids and
mineralocorticoids, resulting in increased gluconeogenesis and retention of sodium and water and
decreased immune and inflammatory responses.
■ Vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) increases fluid retention and also increases blood pressure
through constriction of blood vessels.
■ Growth hormone has a direct effect on protein, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism, resulting in
increased serum glucose and free fatty acids.
■ Thyrotropic hormone stimulates the thyroid gland to increase the basal metabolic rate.
, Varcarolis Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing 5th Edition by Elizabeth M
Varcarolis and Margaret Jordan Fosbre Test Bank with Solution 2025/2026
■ Gonadotropins cause a decrease in secretion of sex hormones, resulting in decreased libido and
impotence.
Mild Anxiety - (answer)sharpens the senses, increases motivation for productivity, increases the
perceptual field, and results in a heightened awareness of the environment. Learning is enhanced, and
the individual is able to function at an optimal level.
Mild to Moderate Anxiety - (answer)less alert to events occurring within the environment. The
individual's attention span and ability to concentrate decrease, although they may still attend to needs
with direction. Assistance with problem-solving may be required. Increased muscular tension and
restlessness are evident.
Severe Anxiety - (answer)Attention span is extremely limited, and the individual has much difficulty
completing even the simplest task. Physical symptoms (e.g., headaches, palpitations, insomnia) and
emotional symptoms (e.g., confusion, dread, horror) may be evident
Neurosis - (answer)a psychiatric disturbance characterized by excessive anxiety that is expressed directly
or altered through defense mechanisms
Compensation - (answer)Covering up a real or perceived weakness by emphasizing a trait one considers
more desirable
Rationalization - (answer)Attempting to make excuses or formulate logical reasons to justify
unacceptable feelings or behaviors
Denial - (answer)Refusing to acknowledge the existence of a real situation or the feelings associated
with it
Reaction Formation - (answer)Preventing unacceptable or undesirable thoughts or behaviors from being
expressed by exaggerating opposite thoughts or types of behaviors
Varcarolis and Margaret Jordan Fosbre Test Bank with Solution 2025/2026
Mental Health - (answer)the successful adaptation to stressors from the internal or external
environment, evidenced by thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are age appropriate and congruent
with local and cultural norms
Mental Illness - (answer)maladaptive responses to stressors from the internal or external environment,
evidenced by thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are incongruent with the local and cultural norms,
and interfere with the individual's social, occupational, and/or physical functioning
Fight or Flight- Immediate Response - (answer)hypothalamus stimulates the sympathetic nervous
system, which results in the following physical effects:
■ The adrenal medulla releases norepinephrine and epinephrine into the bloodstream.
■ The pupils of the eyes dilate.
■ In the lungs, the bronchioles dilate, and the respiration rate is increased.
■ The force of cardiac contraction increases, as does cardiac output, heart rate, and blood pressure.
■ Gastrointestinal motility and secretions decrease, and sphincters contract.
■ In the liver, there is increased glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis and decreased glycogen synthesis.
■ The bladder muscle contracts, and the sphincter relaxes; there is increased ureter motility.
■ Secretion from the sweat glands is increased.
■ Lipolysis occurs in the fat cells.
Fight or Flight- Sustained Response - (answer)hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to release
hormones that produce the following effects:
■ Adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulates the adrenal cortex to release glucocorticoids and
mineralocorticoids, resulting in increased gluconeogenesis and retention of sodium and water and
decreased immune and inflammatory responses.
■ Vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) increases fluid retention and also increases blood pressure
through constriction of blood vessels.
■ Growth hormone has a direct effect on protein, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism, resulting in
increased serum glucose and free fatty acids.
■ Thyrotropic hormone stimulates the thyroid gland to increase the basal metabolic rate.
, Varcarolis Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing 5th Edition by Elizabeth M
Varcarolis and Margaret Jordan Fosbre Test Bank with Solution 2025/2026
■ Gonadotropins cause a decrease in secretion of sex hormones, resulting in decreased libido and
impotence.
Mild Anxiety - (answer)sharpens the senses, increases motivation for productivity, increases the
perceptual field, and results in a heightened awareness of the environment. Learning is enhanced, and
the individual is able to function at an optimal level.
Mild to Moderate Anxiety - (answer)less alert to events occurring within the environment. The
individual's attention span and ability to concentrate decrease, although they may still attend to needs
with direction. Assistance with problem-solving may be required. Increased muscular tension and
restlessness are evident.
Severe Anxiety - (answer)Attention span is extremely limited, and the individual has much difficulty
completing even the simplest task. Physical symptoms (e.g., headaches, palpitations, insomnia) and
emotional symptoms (e.g., confusion, dread, horror) may be evident
Neurosis - (answer)a psychiatric disturbance characterized by excessive anxiety that is expressed directly
or altered through defense mechanisms
Compensation - (answer)Covering up a real or perceived weakness by emphasizing a trait one considers
more desirable
Rationalization - (answer)Attempting to make excuses or formulate logical reasons to justify
unacceptable feelings or behaviors
Denial - (answer)Refusing to acknowledge the existence of a real situation or the feelings associated
with it
Reaction Formation - (answer)Preventing unacceptable or undesirable thoughts or behaviors from being
expressed by exaggerating opposite thoughts or types of behaviors
