RCTC NURS 1117 UNIT 5 EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
Stress - ANS ✔✔condition in which the human system responds to changes in its normal
balanced state
affects all realms: physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual
developmental stress - ANS ✔✔Each developmental stage must be reached as a person
progresses through the normal stages of growth from birth to old age.
EX. infant needs to learn trust, school-age needs to learn socialization. adolescent--
independence
situational stress - ANS ✔✔occurs at any time in a persons life and involves situations such as
illness, divorce, new job, loss of loved one
stressor - ANS ✔✔anything that is perceived as challenging, threatening, or demanding
can be internal( illness, fear) or external(cold temp, loud noise)
Physiologic Stressors - ANS ✔✔1. Chemical agents
2. **Physical agents (heat, cold, trauma)**
3. Infectious agents viruses, bacteria, illness
4. Nutritional imbalances
5. Hypoxia and immune disorders
Psychologic stressors - ANS ✔✔stressors created in the mind in response to daily events such as
guilt, fear, anxiety, frustration
can be real or perceived
, Adaptation - ANS ✔✔change that takes place as a result of the response to a stressor
necessary ongoing process that helps maintain balance in the external and internal environment
physiologic adaptation - ANS ✔✔Regulatory mechanisms are reacting constantly to internal
changes to maintain homeostasis and health-- ANS and endocrine system
homeostasis
parasympathetic ANS - ANS ✔✔regulates HR
stimulates secretion of digestive juices and smooth muscle
stimulates insulin secretion
sympathetic nervous system - ANS ✔✔stimulates HR
dilates skeletal muscle blood vessels
dilates blood vessels to brain
stimulates release of glycogen
pituitary gland - ANS ✔✔endocrine gland that releases Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH),
and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
adrenal gland - ANS ✔✔endocrine gland
medulla produces epinephrine and norepinephrine
the cortex secretes mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and androgens
thyroid gland - ANS ✔✔endocrine gland -- secretes thyroid hormone and calcitonin
General Adaptation Syndrome - ANS ✔✔alarm, resistance, exhaustion
STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
Stress - ANS ✔✔condition in which the human system responds to changes in its normal
balanced state
affects all realms: physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual
developmental stress - ANS ✔✔Each developmental stage must be reached as a person
progresses through the normal stages of growth from birth to old age.
EX. infant needs to learn trust, school-age needs to learn socialization. adolescent--
independence
situational stress - ANS ✔✔occurs at any time in a persons life and involves situations such as
illness, divorce, new job, loss of loved one
stressor - ANS ✔✔anything that is perceived as challenging, threatening, or demanding
can be internal( illness, fear) or external(cold temp, loud noise)
Physiologic Stressors - ANS ✔✔1. Chemical agents
2. **Physical agents (heat, cold, trauma)**
3. Infectious agents viruses, bacteria, illness
4. Nutritional imbalances
5. Hypoxia and immune disorders
Psychologic stressors - ANS ✔✔stressors created in the mind in response to daily events such as
guilt, fear, anxiety, frustration
can be real or perceived
, Adaptation - ANS ✔✔change that takes place as a result of the response to a stressor
necessary ongoing process that helps maintain balance in the external and internal environment
physiologic adaptation - ANS ✔✔Regulatory mechanisms are reacting constantly to internal
changes to maintain homeostasis and health-- ANS and endocrine system
homeostasis
parasympathetic ANS - ANS ✔✔regulates HR
stimulates secretion of digestive juices and smooth muscle
stimulates insulin secretion
sympathetic nervous system - ANS ✔✔stimulates HR
dilates skeletal muscle blood vessels
dilates blood vessels to brain
stimulates release of glycogen
pituitary gland - ANS ✔✔endocrine gland that releases Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH),
and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
adrenal gland - ANS ✔✔endocrine gland
medulla produces epinephrine and norepinephrine
the cortex secretes mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and androgens
thyroid gland - ANS ✔✔endocrine gland -- secretes thyroid hormone and calcitonin
General Adaptation Syndrome - ANS ✔✔alarm, resistance, exhaustion
