MEDSURG MODULE 1 SUCCESS NOTES

Module 1: HOMEOSTASIS, STRESS AND ADAPTATION Steady state ⦁ A dynamic balance which is produced so that all subsystems are in harmony with one another ⦁ The goal of the interaction of all body systems ⦁ Four concepts: constancy, homeostasis, stress, and adaptation Stress ⦁ universal phenomenon ⦁ State produced by a change in the environment that is perceived as challenging, threatening, or damaging to the person’s dynamic balance or equilibrium ⦁ In a medical or biological context stress is a physical, mental, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension. ⦁ Stresses can be external (from the environment, psychological, or social situations) or internal (illness, or from a medical procedure). ⦁ “a state of psychological and physiological imbalance resulting from the disparity between situational de7mand and the individual's ability and motivation to meet those needs.”- Dr. Hans Selye- proponent of modern stress theory ⦁ Imagine any normal physiologic function (like breathing or digestion), when these processes are threatened, damaged or changed resulting to an imbalance between the physiologic demand and your body’s ability to cope with the demand then stress occurs. Adaptation ⦁ Adjustment to the stress or change so that the person is again in equilibrium and has the energy and ability to meet new demands. ⦁ It is a constant, on-going process that requires a change in structure, function, or behavior so that the person is better suited to the environment; it involves an interaction between the person and the environment ⦁ Coping response- Immediate, involuntary responses that are used by a person when in a threatening ⦁ Adaptation is the change that takes place as a result of the responses to a stressor Coping ⦁ The process of adaptation ⦁ A compensatory process with physiologic and psychological components. ⦁ is a process that a person uses to manage events that he/she encouters, perceives, and interprets as stressful ⦁ Successful coping requires adjusting or adopting to circumstances, environmental demands and challenges ⦁ The ability to cope is a crucial element that influences well-being. Failure to cope may lead to crisis. ⦁ Consists of the cognitive and behavioural efforts made to manage the specific external or internal demands that tax a person’s resources ⦁ Done in response to a stressful situation ⦁ Emotion-focused coping which seeks to make the person feel better by lessening the emotional distress felt ⦁ Problem-focused coping aims to make direct changes in the environment so that the situation can be managed more effectively