,ASU NUR 325 Exam 1 | Health and Illness Concepts I (2026)
Q&A
1. The nurse is teaching a patient about the concept of stress. Which statement by
the patient indicates an accurate understanding of eustress?
A) "Eustress is a negative form of stress that leads to illness."
B) "Eustress is a positive form of stress that can motivate and enhance performance."
C) "Eustress is a chronic stressor that lasts for more than three months."
D) "Eustress is a type of stress that only affects the elderly population."
Correct Answer: "Eustress is a positive form of stress that can motivate and enhance
performance."
Rationale: Eustress is a positive, motivating type of stress that can improve
performance and well-being. Distress is negative stress that can lead to illness.
Chronic stress is prolonged and can lead to depression and anxiety.
2. A patient who lost their job, filed for bankruptcy, and is going through a divorce is
likely experiencing which type of stress?
A) Acute stress
B) Eustress
C) Episodic acute stress
D) Chronic stress
Correct Answer: Chronic stress
Rationale: Chronic stress is heightened, constant, and prolonged, often stemming
from long-term issues such as poverty, illness, or relationship problems. The patient's
,situation involves multiple ongoing life stressors that are likely to be persistent,
fitting the definition of chronic stress.
3. When the body perceives a threat, the sympathetic nervous system is activated.
Which of the following physiological responses would the nurse expect to assess?
A) Decreased heart rate
B) Pupil constriction
C) Bronchial constriction
D) Increased blood glucose
Correct Answer: Increased blood glucose
Rationale: The stress response triggers the release of hormones such as epinephrine
and cortisol, which increase blood glucose to provide energy for the "fight or flight"
response. This response also causes increased heart rate, pupil dilation, and bronchial
dilation, not constriction.
4. General adaptation syndrome (GAS) describes the body's short-term and long-
term reactions to stress. Which stage of GAS involves the body's immediate "fight or
flight" response?
A) Alarm reaction
B) Resistance stage
C) Exhaustion stage
D) Recovery stage
Correct Answer: Alarm reaction
Rationale: The alarm reaction is the initial stage of GAS, during which the body
mobilizes its defenses and prepares for immediate action through the sympathetic
, nervous system. The resistance stage involves adaptation, and the exhaustion stage
occurs when the body's resources are depleted.
5. A patient who is a full-time nursing student, works 30 hours a week, and is the
primary caregiver for an aging parent reports feeling constantly overwhelmed,
irritable, and has difficulty sleeping. These manifestations are most consistent with
which type of stress?
A) Acute stress
B) Episodic acute stress
C) Eustress
D) Distress
Correct Answer: Distress
Rationale: Distress is a negative or unhealthy form of stress that can cause anxiety,
irritability, and physical symptoms. The patient's symptoms of being overwhelmed,
irritable, and having difficulty sleeping indicate they are experiencing distress.
6. Which of the following definitions accurately describes the concept of coping?
A) The body's short-term and long-term reactions to stress
B) A condition in which all competing elements are in balance
C) An individual's perception regarding how stressful an event is or will be
D) Cognitive and behavioral efforts to manage stress
Correct Answer: Cognitive and behavioral efforts to manage stress
Rationale: Coping refers to the cognitive and behavioral efforts a person uses to
manage internal and external demands that are appraised as stressful. The other
Q&A
1. The nurse is teaching a patient about the concept of stress. Which statement by
the patient indicates an accurate understanding of eustress?
A) "Eustress is a negative form of stress that leads to illness."
B) "Eustress is a positive form of stress that can motivate and enhance performance."
C) "Eustress is a chronic stressor that lasts for more than three months."
D) "Eustress is a type of stress that only affects the elderly population."
Correct Answer: "Eustress is a positive form of stress that can motivate and enhance
performance."
Rationale: Eustress is a positive, motivating type of stress that can improve
performance and well-being. Distress is negative stress that can lead to illness.
Chronic stress is prolonged and can lead to depression and anxiety.
2. A patient who lost their job, filed for bankruptcy, and is going through a divorce is
likely experiencing which type of stress?
A) Acute stress
B) Eustress
C) Episodic acute stress
D) Chronic stress
Correct Answer: Chronic stress
Rationale: Chronic stress is heightened, constant, and prolonged, often stemming
from long-term issues such as poverty, illness, or relationship problems. The patient's
,situation involves multiple ongoing life stressors that are likely to be persistent,
fitting the definition of chronic stress.
3. When the body perceives a threat, the sympathetic nervous system is activated.
Which of the following physiological responses would the nurse expect to assess?
A) Decreased heart rate
B) Pupil constriction
C) Bronchial constriction
D) Increased blood glucose
Correct Answer: Increased blood glucose
Rationale: The stress response triggers the release of hormones such as epinephrine
and cortisol, which increase blood glucose to provide energy for the "fight or flight"
response. This response also causes increased heart rate, pupil dilation, and bronchial
dilation, not constriction.
4. General adaptation syndrome (GAS) describes the body's short-term and long-
term reactions to stress. Which stage of GAS involves the body's immediate "fight or
flight" response?
A) Alarm reaction
B) Resistance stage
C) Exhaustion stage
D) Recovery stage
Correct Answer: Alarm reaction
Rationale: The alarm reaction is the initial stage of GAS, during which the body
mobilizes its defenses and prepares for immediate action through the sympathetic
, nervous system. The resistance stage involves adaptation, and the exhaustion stage
occurs when the body's resources are depleted.
5. A patient who is a full-time nursing student, works 30 hours a week, and is the
primary caregiver for an aging parent reports feeling constantly overwhelmed,
irritable, and has difficulty sleeping. These manifestations are most consistent with
which type of stress?
A) Acute stress
B) Episodic acute stress
C) Eustress
D) Distress
Correct Answer: Distress
Rationale: Distress is a negative or unhealthy form of stress that can cause anxiety,
irritability, and physical symptoms. The patient's symptoms of being overwhelmed,
irritable, and having difficulty sleeping indicate they are experiencing distress.
6. Which of the following definitions accurately describes the concept of coping?
A) The body's short-term and long-term reactions to stress
B) A condition in which all competing elements are in balance
C) An individual's perception regarding how stressful an event is or will be
D) Cognitive and behavioral efforts to manage stress
Correct Answer: Cognitive and behavioral efforts to manage stress
Rationale: Coping refers to the cognitive and behavioral efforts a person uses to
manage internal and external demands that are appraised as stressful. The other
