,NSG3130/NSG 3130 Exam 3 | Fundamental Concepts & Skills for
Nursing Practice II | Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following best defines stress according to the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?
A) A specific disease process that requires medical intervention
B) A nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it
C) A psychological condition characterized by excessive worry
D) A state of complete physical and mental exhaustion
Correct Answer: A nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it
Rationale: According to Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome, stress is the nonspecific response of the
body to any demand made upon it. This response is physiological and follows a predictable three-stage
pattern: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
2. Which of the following accurately describes the alarm stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome?
A) The body adapts to the stressor and functions at a higher resistance level
B) The body experiences a "fight or flight" response with sympathetic nervous system activation
C) The body's resources are depleted, leading to disease or death
D) The body returns to a state of homeostasis
Correct Answer: The body experiences a "fight or flight" response with sympathetic nervous system
activation
Rationale: The alarm stage is the initial response to a stressor, where the sympathetic nervous system is
activated, triggering the release of catecholamines and cortisol. This prepares the body for immediate
action.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient who has been under chronic stress for several months. Which physical
assessment finding would the nurse most likely attribute to this prolonged stress response?
A) Decreased blood pressure and bradycardia
B) Weight gain and hypertension
,C) Increased immune function and decreased cortisol levels
D) Pupil constriction and increased digestion
Correct Answer: Weight gain and hypertension
Rationale: Chronic stress leads to sustained elevated cortisol levels, which can cause weight gain,
hypertension, hyperglycemia, and immunosuppression. Prolonged stress depletes the body's resources
and contributes to various health problems.
4. A patient is experiencing a stress response that includes pupil dilation, increased heart rate, and
bronchial dilation. Which division of the nervous system is responsible for these manifestations?
A) Parasympathetic nervous system
B) Sympathetic nervous system
C) Central nervous system
D) Somatic nervous system
Correct Answer: Sympathetic nervous system
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system mediates the "fight or flight" response, which includes pupil
dilation, increased heart rate, bronchial dilation, and decreased gastrointestinal activity. The
parasympathetic system promotes rest and digestion.
5. According to the stress and coping framework, which term refers to the cognitive process of
evaluating a situation to determine its significance for one's well-being?
A) Coping
B) Adaptation
C) Appraisal
D) Resilience
Correct Answer: Appraisal
, Rationale: Appraisal is the cognitive process of evaluating a situation to determine its significance for
one's well-being. Primary appraisal assesses the threat, while secondary appraisal evaluates one's
resources to cope with the situation.
6. A patient who has lost their job states, "I know this is a setback, but I have skills that are valuable and I
will find another position soon." This statement best demonstrates which concept?
A) Denial
B) Resilience
C) Regression
D) Repression
Correct Answer: Resilience
Rationale: Resilience is the ability to adapt positively and recover from adversity. The patient's optimistic
and proactive statement reflects resilience, demonstrating the capacity to cope effectively with a
significant life stressor.
7. A nurse is assessing a patient who has been using alcohol to cope with stress. Which of the following
is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
A) Confront the patient about their alcohol use immediately
B) Refer the patient to a support group and provide education on healthy coping mechanisms
C) Ignore the behavior to avoid making the patient uncomfortable
D) Prescribe medication to reduce alcohol cravings
Correct Answer: Refer the patient to a support group and provide education on healthy coping
mechanisms
Rationale: The nurse should provide education on healthy coping mechanisms and refer the patient to
appropriate resources, such as support groups. Confrontation may be counterproductive, and the nurse
cannot prescribe medication.
8. Which of the following is an example of a healthy coping mechanism for stress?
Nursing Practice II | Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following best defines stress according to the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?
A) A specific disease process that requires medical intervention
B) A nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it
C) A psychological condition characterized by excessive worry
D) A state of complete physical and mental exhaustion
Correct Answer: A nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it
Rationale: According to Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome, stress is the nonspecific response of the
body to any demand made upon it. This response is physiological and follows a predictable three-stage
pattern: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
2. Which of the following accurately describes the alarm stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome?
A) The body adapts to the stressor and functions at a higher resistance level
B) The body experiences a "fight or flight" response with sympathetic nervous system activation
C) The body's resources are depleted, leading to disease or death
D) The body returns to a state of homeostasis
Correct Answer: The body experiences a "fight or flight" response with sympathetic nervous system
activation
Rationale: The alarm stage is the initial response to a stressor, where the sympathetic nervous system is
activated, triggering the release of catecholamines and cortisol. This prepares the body for immediate
action.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient who has been under chronic stress for several months. Which physical
assessment finding would the nurse most likely attribute to this prolonged stress response?
A) Decreased blood pressure and bradycardia
B) Weight gain and hypertension
,C) Increased immune function and decreased cortisol levels
D) Pupil constriction and increased digestion
Correct Answer: Weight gain and hypertension
Rationale: Chronic stress leads to sustained elevated cortisol levels, which can cause weight gain,
hypertension, hyperglycemia, and immunosuppression. Prolonged stress depletes the body's resources
and contributes to various health problems.
4. A patient is experiencing a stress response that includes pupil dilation, increased heart rate, and
bronchial dilation. Which division of the nervous system is responsible for these manifestations?
A) Parasympathetic nervous system
B) Sympathetic nervous system
C) Central nervous system
D) Somatic nervous system
Correct Answer: Sympathetic nervous system
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system mediates the "fight or flight" response, which includes pupil
dilation, increased heart rate, bronchial dilation, and decreased gastrointestinal activity. The
parasympathetic system promotes rest and digestion.
5. According to the stress and coping framework, which term refers to the cognitive process of
evaluating a situation to determine its significance for one's well-being?
A) Coping
B) Adaptation
C) Appraisal
D) Resilience
Correct Answer: Appraisal
, Rationale: Appraisal is the cognitive process of evaluating a situation to determine its significance for
one's well-being. Primary appraisal assesses the threat, while secondary appraisal evaluates one's
resources to cope with the situation.
6. A patient who has lost their job states, "I know this is a setback, but I have skills that are valuable and I
will find another position soon." This statement best demonstrates which concept?
A) Denial
B) Resilience
C) Regression
D) Repression
Correct Answer: Resilience
Rationale: Resilience is the ability to adapt positively and recover from adversity. The patient's optimistic
and proactive statement reflects resilience, demonstrating the capacity to cope effectively with a
significant life stressor.
7. A nurse is assessing a patient who has been using alcohol to cope with stress. Which of the following
is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
A) Confront the patient about their alcohol use immediately
B) Refer the patient to a support group and provide education on healthy coping mechanisms
C) Ignore the behavior to avoid making the patient uncomfortable
D) Prescribe medication to reduce alcohol cravings
Correct Answer: Refer the patient to a support group and provide education on healthy coping
mechanisms
Rationale: The nurse should provide education on healthy coping mechanisms and refer the patient to
appropriate resources, such as support groups. Confrontation may be counterproductive, and the nurse
cannot prescribe medication.
8. Which of the following is an example of a healthy coping mechanism for stress?
