DAVIS ADVANTAGE FOR
TOWNSEND'S PSYCHIATRIC
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KARYN MORGAN
TEST BANK
1. Stress as a biological response
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Concept of Stress Adaptation — Stress
as a Biological Response
Question Stem:
A nurse is caring for a client who received unexpected news
that surgery will be delayed. The client reports feeling “shaky,”
has a rapid pulse, and is pacing the hallway. Which
interpretation best reflects the client’s current response?
,A. The client is showing a maladaptive personality trait.
B. The client is experiencing a normal biological stress response.
C. The client is demonstrating a delusional response to the
news.
D. The client is having a medication reaction unrelated to stress.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
A rapid pulse, pacing, and shakiness are classic physiologic
stress responses mediated by the sympathetic nervous system.
The body is preparing for action in response to a perceived
threat. This is consistent with stress as a biological response,
not a psychiatric symptom by itself.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. These findings are situational and physiologic, not evidence
of a fixed personality pattern.
C. Nothing in the stem suggests disorganized thought or false
belief formation.
D. No medication context supports a drug reaction as the best
explanation.
Teaching Point:
Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system and prepares
the body for immediate action.
Citation: Morgan, K. (2024). Davis Advantage for Townsend’s
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
,2. Stress as an environmental event
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Concept of Stress Adaptation — Stress
as an Environmental Event
Question Stem:
A client says, “Since moving into this crowded shelter, I cannot
relax or sleep well.” The nurse identifies the shelter conditions
as the primary source of stress. Which concept is the nurse
applying?
A. Stress is only internal and comes from emotions.
B. Stress may be triggered by environmental demands.
C. Stress occurs only when a client has poor coping skills.
D. Stress is always the result of a mental disorder.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Environmental conditions such as crowding, noise, and lack of
privacy can act as stressors. This reflects stress as an
environmental event that places demands on the person. The
client’s symptoms are a reaction to the setting, not proof of
mental illness.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Stress is not limited to emotions; it may come from external
demands.
C. Coping affects response to stress, but stress can occur even
with adequate coping.
, D. Stress is common and does not automatically indicate a
mental disorder.
Teaching Point:
External stressors such as crowding, noise, and disruption can
trigger distress.
Citation: Morgan, K. (2024). Davis Advantage for Townsend’s
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
3. Stress as a transaction
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Concept of Stress Adaptation — Stress
as a Transaction Between the Individual and the Environment
Question Stem:
Two clients lose the same job on the same day. One says, “This
is a disaster,” while the other says, “I can use this time to apply
for a better position.” Which nursing explanation best reflects
the stress-adaptation concept?
A. The event affects both clients identically.
B. Stress depends on the person’s appraisal of the event.
C. The second client is denying the problem.
D. The first client is physically weak.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Stress is a transaction between the individual and the
environment; appraisal shapes how threatening the event feels.
TOWNSEND'S PSYCHIATRIC
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KARYN MORGAN
TEST BANK
1. Stress as a biological response
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Concept of Stress Adaptation — Stress
as a Biological Response
Question Stem:
A nurse is caring for a client who received unexpected news
that surgery will be delayed. The client reports feeling “shaky,”
has a rapid pulse, and is pacing the hallway. Which
interpretation best reflects the client’s current response?
,A. The client is showing a maladaptive personality trait.
B. The client is experiencing a normal biological stress response.
C. The client is demonstrating a delusional response to the
news.
D. The client is having a medication reaction unrelated to stress.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
A rapid pulse, pacing, and shakiness are classic physiologic
stress responses mediated by the sympathetic nervous system.
The body is preparing for action in response to a perceived
threat. This is consistent with stress as a biological response,
not a psychiatric symptom by itself.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. These findings are situational and physiologic, not evidence
of a fixed personality pattern.
C. Nothing in the stem suggests disorganized thought or false
belief formation.
D. No medication context supports a drug reaction as the best
explanation.
Teaching Point:
Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system and prepares
the body for immediate action.
Citation: Morgan, K. (2024). Davis Advantage for Townsend’s
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
,2. Stress as an environmental event
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Concept of Stress Adaptation — Stress
as an Environmental Event
Question Stem:
A client says, “Since moving into this crowded shelter, I cannot
relax or sleep well.” The nurse identifies the shelter conditions
as the primary source of stress. Which concept is the nurse
applying?
A. Stress is only internal and comes from emotions.
B. Stress may be triggered by environmental demands.
C. Stress occurs only when a client has poor coping skills.
D. Stress is always the result of a mental disorder.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Environmental conditions such as crowding, noise, and lack of
privacy can act as stressors. This reflects stress as an
environmental event that places demands on the person. The
client’s symptoms are a reaction to the setting, not proof of
mental illness.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Stress is not limited to emotions; it may come from external
demands.
C. Coping affects response to stress, but stress can occur even
with adequate coping.
, D. Stress is common and does not automatically indicate a
mental disorder.
Teaching Point:
External stressors such as crowding, noise, and disruption can
trigger distress.
Citation: Morgan, K. (2024). Davis Advantage for Townsend’s
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
3. Stress as a transaction
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Concept of Stress Adaptation — Stress
as a Transaction Between the Individual and the Environment
Question Stem:
Two clients lose the same job on the same day. One says, “This
is a disaster,” while the other says, “I can use this time to apply
for a better position.” Which nursing explanation best reflects
the stress-adaptation concept?
A. The event affects both clients identically.
B. Stress depends on the person’s appraisal of the event.
C. The second client is denying the problem.
D. The first client is physically weak.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Stress is a transaction between the individual and the
environment; appraisal shapes how threatening the event feels.
