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 client arrives at the emergency department after being told
that a family member was in a serious motor vehicle accident.
The client is pacing, reports a “racing heart,” and says, “I cannot
think straight.” The nurse notes dilated pupils, rapid
,respirations, and sweaty palms. Which interpretation best
explains these findings?
A. The client is experiencing a biologic stress response that
prepares the body for action
B. The client is demonstrating a fixed psychiatric disorder
C. The client is entering the exhaustion phase of adaptation
D. The client is using effective problem-solving skills
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct Answer:
This presentation reflects the body’s physiologic response to
stress, often called the fight-or-flight response. Sympathetic
activation produces tachycardia, rapid respirations, diaphoresis,
and increased alertness to help the person respond to a
perceived threat.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
B. These findings do not indicate a fixed psychiatric disorder;
they are an expected acute stress response.
C. Exhaustion occurs after prolonged stress when adaptive
resources are depleted, not immediately after a sudden event.
D. The client is highly aroused and overwhelmed, which is not
consistent with effective problem-solving.
Teaching Point: Acute stress activates the sympathetic nervous
system and prepares the body to respond.
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 nurse is teaching a group of first-year college students about
stress. One student says, “Stress is only about how a person
feels inside.” Which nurse response is best?
A. “Stress can also come from outside events such as noise,
crowding, or a major life change.”
B. “Stress is only a biologic reaction to illness.”
C. “Stress occurs only when a person has poor coping skills.”
D. “Stress is always unhealthy and should be avoided
completely.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Environmental events such as noise, crowding, financial strain,
and major transitions can act as stressors. The nurse correctly
broadens the student’s understanding that stress may arise
from external conditions, not only internal feelings.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
B. Stress is not limited to illness; many normal life events can be
stressful.
C. Stress can occur even in people with healthy coping skills;
coping affects response, not whether stress exists.
, D. Stress is not always harmful; some stress can be motivating
or adaptive.
Teaching Point: Stress may begin with external events that
challenge the person’s equilibrium.
Citation: Morgan, K. (2024). Davis Advantage for Townsend’s
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Stress as a Transaction Between the Individual and the
Environment
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Concept of Stress Adaptation — Stress
as a Transaction Between the Individual and the Environment
Question Stem:
Two clients are told they will need to change jobs. One says,
“This is a disaster,” while the other says, “This is stressful, but I
can learn something new.” The nurse recognizes this difference
as an example of:
A. The same event being appraised differently by different
individuals
B. A psychotic response in one client
C. A sign that one client is malingering
D. A biologic response that does not involve thinking
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Stress is transactional because the impact of an event depends
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 client arrives at the emergency department after being told
that a family member was in a serious motor vehicle accident.
The client is pacing, reports a “racing heart,” and says, “I cannot
think straight.” The nurse notes dilated pupils, rapid
,respirations, and sweaty palms. Which interpretation best
explains these findings?
A. The client is experiencing a biologic stress response that
prepares the body for action
B. The client is demonstrating a fixed psychiatric disorder
C. The client is entering the exhaustion phase of adaptation
D. The client is using effective problem-solving skills
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct Answer:
This presentation reflects the body’s physiologic response to
stress, often called the fight-or-flight response. Sympathetic
activation produces tachycardia, rapid respirations, diaphoresis,
and increased alertness to help the person respond to a
perceived threat.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
B. These findings do not indicate a fixed psychiatric disorder;
they are an expected acute stress response.
C. Exhaustion occurs after prolonged stress when adaptive
resources are depleted, not immediately after a sudden event.
D. The client is highly aroused and overwhelmed, which is not
consistent with effective problem-solving.
Teaching Point: Acute stress activates the sympathetic nervous
system and prepares the body to respond.
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 nurse is teaching a group of first-year college students about
stress. One student says, “Stress is only about how a person
feels inside.” Which nurse response is best?
A. “Stress can also come from outside events such as noise,
crowding, or a major life change.”
B. “Stress is only a biologic reaction to illness.”
C. “Stress occurs only when a person has poor coping skills.”
D. “Stress is always unhealthy and should be avoided
completely.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Environmental events such as noise, crowding, financial strain,
and major transitions can act as stressors. The nurse correctly
broadens the student’s understanding that stress may arise
from external conditions, not only internal feelings.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
B. Stress is not limited to illness; many normal life events can be
stressful.
C. Stress can occur even in people with healthy coping skills;
coping affects response, not whether stress exists.
, D. Stress is not always harmful; some stress can be motivating
or adaptive.
Teaching Point: Stress may begin with external events that
challenge the person’s equilibrium.
Citation: Morgan, K. (2024). Davis Advantage for Townsend’s
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Stress as a Transaction Between the Individual and the
Environment
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Concept of Stress Adaptation — Stress
as a Transaction Between the Individual and the Environment
Question Stem:
Two clients are told they will need to change jobs. One says,
“This is a disaster,” while the other says, “This is stressful, but I
can learn something new.” The nurse recognizes this difference
as an example of:
A. The same event being appraised differently by different
individuals
B. A psychotic response in one client
C. A sign that one client is malingering
D. A biologic response that does not involve thinking
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Stress is transactional because the impact of an event depends
