NUR 256 Mental Health Exam 2026 | All Questions
and Correct Answers | Graded A+ | Verified
Answers | Just Released
What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system in stress response? ---------
CORRECT ANSWER-----------------It activates the stress response, leading to
increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, rapid breathing, dilated pupils,
sweating, muscle tension, and a surge of glucose for energy.
What triggers the activation of the sympathetic nervous system during stress? ----
-----CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Perceived dangerous stimuli are sent to the
brain's amygdala, which processes emotional data and signals the hypothalamus
to activate the adrenal glands.
What hormones are released during the stress response? ---------CORRECT
ANSWER-----------------Adrenaline (epinephrine) is released from the adrenal
glands, and cortisol is produced by the adrenal cortex after stimulation by ACTH.
What is the function of the hypothalamus in the stress response? ---------CORRECT
ANSWER-----------------It secretes corticotropin-releasing hormone that stimulates
the pituitary gland to release ACTH, leading to cortisol production.
,What are the three stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) theory? -----
----CORRECT ANSWER-----------------1. Alarm: initial response to stress; 2.
Resistance: adaptation stage; 3. Exhaustion: resources are depleted, leading to
potential health issues.
What happens during the alarm stage of GAS? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-------------
----There is a brief and adaptive response to the stressor, including blood vessel
constriction and the release of norepinephrine and epinephrine.
What characterizes the resistance stage of GAS? ---------CORRECT ANSWER----------
-------It is the adaptation stage where the body sustains optimal resistance and
hormone levels adjust, allowing recovery and return to homeostasis.
What are the consequences of the exhaustion stage in GAS? ---------CORRECT
ANSWER-----------------Attempts to resist the stressor are futile, resources are
depleted, leading to chronic stress, immune system challenges, and potential
health disorders.
How do females differ from males in their stress responses? ---------CORRECT
ANSWER-----------------Females may exhibit a 'tend and befriend' response due to
estrogen exposure, while males may experience altered prefrontal blood flow.
,What is the definition of stress? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Stress is
the brain's response to any demand that poses a challenge or threat to mental or
physical health.
What is distress and how does it affect individuals? ---------CORRECT ANSWER------
-----------Distress is negative stress that drains energy and can lead to anxiety,
depression, confusion, helplessness, and fatigue.
What is eustress? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Eustress is positive stress
that motivates individuals and results in feelings of happiness, hopefulness, and
purposeful movement.
What are some examples of physical stressors? ---------CORRECT ANSWER------------
-----Illness, poor diet, lack of sleep, environmental toxins, physical exertion, and
prolonged sitting.
What are some examples of psychological stressors? ---------CORRECT ANSWER----
-------------Work/school demands, social conflicts, life events (like death or
divorce), financial issues, and personal health challenges.
What is the nurse's role in managing patient stress? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----
------------The nurse should promote a healing environment, facilitate coping
strategies, and teach adaptive ways to cope.
, What physiological changes occur in the body during the stress response? ---------
CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure,
rapid breathing, and release of stress hormones.
What is the impact of childhood stress exposure on adult mental health? ---------
CORRECT ANSWER-----------------High levels of stress in childhood may lead to
greater incidences of mental illness in adulthood.
What is the significance of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in stress
response? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------It regulates the body's response
to stress through hormone release, particularly cortisol, which helps manage
energy and metabolism.
What are the clinical manifestations of chronic stress? ---------CORRECT ANSWER--
---------------Disorders may develop, including anxiety and somatic symptoms.
How can nurses facilitate successful coping in patients? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-
----------------By providing basic needs, role modeling effective coping strategies,
and encouraging self-affirmation.
and Correct Answers | Graded A+ | Verified
Answers | Just Released
What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system in stress response? ---------
CORRECT ANSWER-----------------It activates the stress response, leading to
increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, rapid breathing, dilated pupils,
sweating, muscle tension, and a surge of glucose for energy.
What triggers the activation of the sympathetic nervous system during stress? ----
-----CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Perceived dangerous stimuli are sent to the
brain's amygdala, which processes emotional data and signals the hypothalamus
to activate the adrenal glands.
What hormones are released during the stress response? ---------CORRECT
ANSWER-----------------Adrenaline (epinephrine) is released from the adrenal
glands, and cortisol is produced by the adrenal cortex after stimulation by ACTH.
What is the function of the hypothalamus in the stress response? ---------CORRECT
ANSWER-----------------It secretes corticotropin-releasing hormone that stimulates
the pituitary gland to release ACTH, leading to cortisol production.
,What are the three stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) theory? -----
----CORRECT ANSWER-----------------1. Alarm: initial response to stress; 2.
Resistance: adaptation stage; 3. Exhaustion: resources are depleted, leading to
potential health issues.
What happens during the alarm stage of GAS? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-------------
----There is a brief and adaptive response to the stressor, including blood vessel
constriction and the release of norepinephrine and epinephrine.
What characterizes the resistance stage of GAS? ---------CORRECT ANSWER----------
-------It is the adaptation stage where the body sustains optimal resistance and
hormone levels adjust, allowing recovery and return to homeostasis.
What are the consequences of the exhaustion stage in GAS? ---------CORRECT
ANSWER-----------------Attempts to resist the stressor are futile, resources are
depleted, leading to chronic stress, immune system challenges, and potential
health disorders.
How do females differ from males in their stress responses? ---------CORRECT
ANSWER-----------------Females may exhibit a 'tend and befriend' response due to
estrogen exposure, while males may experience altered prefrontal blood flow.
,What is the definition of stress? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Stress is
the brain's response to any demand that poses a challenge or threat to mental or
physical health.
What is distress and how does it affect individuals? ---------CORRECT ANSWER------
-----------Distress is negative stress that drains energy and can lead to anxiety,
depression, confusion, helplessness, and fatigue.
What is eustress? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Eustress is positive stress
that motivates individuals and results in feelings of happiness, hopefulness, and
purposeful movement.
What are some examples of physical stressors? ---------CORRECT ANSWER------------
-----Illness, poor diet, lack of sleep, environmental toxins, physical exertion, and
prolonged sitting.
What are some examples of psychological stressors? ---------CORRECT ANSWER----
-------------Work/school demands, social conflicts, life events (like death or
divorce), financial issues, and personal health challenges.
What is the nurse's role in managing patient stress? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----
------------The nurse should promote a healing environment, facilitate coping
strategies, and teach adaptive ways to cope.
, What physiological changes occur in the body during the stress response? ---------
CORRECT ANSWER-----------------Increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure,
rapid breathing, and release of stress hormones.
What is the impact of childhood stress exposure on adult mental health? ---------
CORRECT ANSWER-----------------High levels of stress in childhood may lead to
greater incidences of mental illness in adulthood.
What is the significance of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in stress
response? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------It regulates the body's response
to stress through hormone release, particularly cortisol, which helps manage
energy and metabolism.
What are the clinical manifestations of chronic stress? ---------CORRECT ANSWER--
---------------Disorders may develop, including anxiety and somatic symptoms.
How can nurses facilitate successful coping in patients? ---------CORRECT ANSWER-
----------------By providing basic needs, role modeling effective coping strategies,
and encouraging self-affirmation.
