,ASU NUR 325 Comp Exam | Health & Illness
Concepts I (2026) Q&A
1. A nursing student is studying the concept of stress. Which statement best captures
the nursing definition of stress?
A) A biological response to a physical threat that triggers the fight-or-flight reaction
B) A subjective experience involving cognitive appraisal with physical, psychological,
and behavioral components
C) An external event that automatically produces a negative emotional response in all
individuals
D) A measurable physiological change that occurs only in response to life-
threatening situations
Correct Answer: A subjective experience involving cognitive appraisal with physical,
psychological, and behavioral components
Rationale: The nursing definition of stress emphasizes it as a subjective experience
involving cognitive appraisal with physical, psychological, and behavioral
components in response to perceived demands. The other options are incomplete or
incorrect.
2. A client is starting a new job and reports feeling excited and energized. This type
of stress is best classified as which of the following?
A) Distress
B) Allostress
C) Eustress
D) Chronic stress
Correct Answer: Eustress
,Rationale: Eustress is positive stress associated with challenges and accomplishment,
such as starting a new job or exercising. Distress is negative stress, allostress is
unhealthy when severe or sustained, and chronic stress is prolonged.
3. A client experiencing financial difficulties and relationship problems reports feeling
overwhelmed and unable to cope. This type of stress is best classified as which of the
following?
A) Eustress
B) Acute stress
C) Distress
D) Stress-neutral
Correct Answer: Distress
Rationale: Distress is negative or unhealthy stress, often associated with financial
problems, illness, or relationship difficulties. Eustress is positive stress, acute stress is
brief, and stress-neutral stress is easy to manage.
4. A client involved in a motor vehicle accident experiences immediate physiological
responses including tachycardia, diaphoresis, and pupil dilation. This response is
characteristic of which type of stress?
A) Chronic stress
B) Eustress
C) Allostress
D) Acute stress
Correct Answer: Acute stress
, Rationale: Acute stress is a brief stressor that triggers a temporary "fight or flight"
response, with signs including tachycardia, diaphoresis, and pupil dilation. Chronic
stress is prolonged, eustress is positive, and allostress is the cumulative wear and tear
on the body.
5. 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.
6. 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 having 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
Concepts I (2026) Q&A
1. A nursing student is studying the concept of stress. Which statement best captures
the nursing definition of stress?
A) A biological response to a physical threat that triggers the fight-or-flight reaction
B) A subjective experience involving cognitive appraisal with physical, psychological,
and behavioral components
C) An external event that automatically produces a negative emotional response in all
individuals
D) A measurable physiological change that occurs only in response to life-
threatening situations
Correct Answer: A subjective experience involving cognitive appraisal with physical,
psychological, and behavioral components
Rationale: The nursing definition of stress emphasizes it as a subjective experience
involving cognitive appraisal with physical, psychological, and behavioral
components in response to perceived demands. The other options are incomplete or
incorrect.
2. A client is starting a new job and reports feeling excited and energized. This type
of stress is best classified as which of the following?
A) Distress
B) Allostress
C) Eustress
D) Chronic stress
Correct Answer: Eustress
,Rationale: Eustress is positive stress associated with challenges and accomplishment,
such as starting a new job or exercising. Distress is negative stress, allostress is
unhealthy when severe or sustained, and chronic stress is prolonged.
3. A client experiencing financial difficulties and relationship problems reports feeling
overwhelmed and unable to cope. This type of stress is best classified as which of the
following?
A) Eustress
B) Acute stress
C) Distress
D) Stress-neutral
Correct Answer: Distress
Rationale: Distress is negative or unhealthy stress, often associated with financial
problems, illness, or relationship difficulties. Eustress is positive stress, acute stress is
brief, and stress-neutral stress is easy to manage.
4. A client involved in a motor vehicle accident experiences immediate physiological
responses including tachycardia, diaphoresis, and pupil dilation. This response is
characteristic of which type of stress?
A) Chronic stress
B) Eustress
C) Allostress
D) Acute stress
Correct Answer: Acute stress
, Rationale: Acute stress is a brief stressor that triggers a temporary "fight or flight"
response, with signs including tachycardia, diaphoresis, and pupil dilation. Chronic
stress is prolonged, eustress is positive, and allostress is the cumulative wear and tear
on the body.
5. 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.
6. 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 having 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
