NUR 215 Exam #4 Stress & Coping, Urinary
Elimination, Bowel Elimination, Fluid &
Electrolyte/ 130+ Q&A
General adaptation syndrome (ALARM STAGE—FIGHT OR FLIGHT) - Answer:
Cardiovascular system: Vasoconstriction, elevated blood pressure
Vital organ perfusion
Respiratory system: Dilated bronchioles, Oxygen consumption increased
Metabolic system: Increased availability of glucose; metabolic rate increases
Liver converts glycogen to glucose
Urinary system: Sodium and water retention
Gastrointestinal system: Decreased peristalsis Musculoskeletal system: Increased
blood flow to muscles
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,General Adaptation Syndrome (resistance stage-coping with the stressor) -
Answer: Goal: Maintenance of homeostasis
Involves the use of coping mechanisms
Psychological
Body tries to cope - protects itself against the stressor and maintains homeostasis
Physical- return of vital signs to normal
Failure to adapt to or contain stress leads to the third phase
General adaptation syndrome (Exhaustion/Recovery) - Answer: EXHAUSTION If
adaptive mechanisms become ineffective/nonexistent Decrease in blood pressure,
elevated pulse, elevated respiration, vasodilation Usually ends in disease or death.
RECOVERY Third stage alternative, if adaptation is successful (the goal).
Local adaptation syndrome - Answer: Response to stress involving specific body
parts, tissue, or organ
Short-term attempt to restore homeostasis
Localized
Types Reflex pain response (ex. touching a hot stove) Inflammatory response
Inflammatory Response Vascular response: Blood vessels constrict to control
bleeding Cellular response: Migration of phagocytes to the site of injury Exudate
formation: Results from inflammatory response, can be different based on
location/area of injury. Fluid that filters from the circulatory system into area of
inflammation or lesion. Healing: tissue regenerates/repairs itself
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,LAS vs. GAS - Answer: GAS is considered to be long and contains a series of
pathologic reactions. It has three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. Unlike
LAS, which duration is shorter, GAS exhibits more apparent symptoms such as fear,
anger, and other overflowing emotions.
Consequences of failed adaptation - Answer: Stress-Induced Organic Responses:
Long-term changes in body systems as a result of continual stress.
Cardiovascular: decreased CO → less O2 in the body → fatigue → stroke, angina,
CHF, HTN
Endocrine: consistent high BG → diabetes
Immune system: suppression leads to illness or infection. Can lead to autoimmune
illness (RA, allergies).
GI system: constipation or diarrhea
MS system: muscle tension, tension headache
Respiratory system: increased RR; exacerbation of existing asthma and allergies
Stress - Answer: Changes in an individual's state of balance in response to
stressors Internal and external forces that disrupt that state of balance; can be
perceived as "good" or "bad
Distress - Answer: negative stress
Eustress - Answer: positive stress
Types of Stressors - Answer: situational
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, developmental
time
anticipatory
Stressors throughout lifespan - Answer: Childhood- Failure of parents to meet
child's needs.
Adolescence-Peer pressure or rapid changes in appearance.
Young Adult- College, parenting, planning career.
Middle Age- Caring for children, parents, "Mid-life" crisis, numerous
responsibilities.
Older Adults- Loss of family, loneliness, isolation, reduced independence Change
in financial status.
Physiological Effects of stress - Answer: Dilated pupils
Muscle tension/Clenched Jaw
Headaches
Nausea/weight changes
Diarrhea/constipation
Diaphoresis
Chest Pain
Coping strategies (adaptive/effective coping) - Answer: Making healthy choices
that reduce the negative effects of stress.
Examples: Exercise, sleep, support system, getting away, music, meditation
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Elimination, Bowel Elimination, Fluid &
Electrolyte/ 130+ Q&A
General adaptation syndrome (ALARM STAGE—FIGHT OR FLIGHT) - Answer:
Cardiovascular system: Vasoconstriction, elevated blood pressure
Vital organ perfusion
Respiratory system: Dilated bronchioles, Oxygen consumption increased
Metabolic system: Increased availability of glucose; metabolic rate increases
Liver converts glycogen to glucose
Urinary system: Sodium and water retention
Gastrointestinal system: Decreased peristalsis Musculoskeletal system: Increased
blood flow to muscles
Page 1 of 33
,General Adaptation Syndrome (resistance stage-coping with the stressor) -
Answer: Goal: Maintenance of homeostasis
Involves the use of coping mechanisms
Psychological
Body tries to cope - protects itself against the stressor and maintains homeostasis
Physical- return of vital signs to normal
Failure to adapt to or contain stress leads to the third phase
General adaptation syndrome (Exhaustion/Recovery) - Answer: EXHAUSTION If
adaptive mechanisms become ineffective/nonexistent Decrease in blood pressure,
elevated pulse, elevated respiration, vasodilation Usually ends in disease or death.
RECOVERY Third stage alternative, if adaptation is successful (the goal).
Local adaptation syndrome - Answer: Response to stress involving specific body
parts, tissue, or organ
Short-term attempt to restore homeostasis
Localized
Types Reflex pain response (ex. touching a hot stove) Inflammatory response
Inflammatory Response Vascular response: Blood vessels constrict to control
bleeding Cellular response: Migration of phagocytes to the site of injury Exudate
formation: Results from inflammatory response, can be different based on
location/area of injury. Fluid that filters from the circulatory system into area of
inflammation or lesion. Healing: tissue regenerates/repairs itself
Page 2 of 33
,LAS vs. GAS - Answer: GAS is considered to be long and contains a series of
pathologic reactions. It has three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. Unlike
LAS, which duration is shorter, GAS exhibits more apparent symptoms such as fear,
anger, and other overflowing emotions.
Consequences of failed adaptation - Answer: Stress-Induced Organic Responses:
Long-term changes in body systems as a result of continual stress.
Cardiovascular: decreased CO → less O2 in the body → fatigue → stroke, angina,
CHF, HTN
Endocrine: consistent high BG → diabetes
Immune system: suppression leads to illness or infection. Can lead to autoimmune
illness (RA, allergies).
GI system: constipation or diarrhea
MS system: muscle tension, tension headache
Respiratory system: increased RR; exacerbation of existing asthma and allergies
Stress - Answer: Changes in an individual's state of balance in response to
stressors Internal and external forces that disrupt that state of balance; can be
perceived as "good" or "bad
Distress - Answer: negative stress
Eustress - Answer: positive stress
Types of Stressors - Answer: situational
Page 3 of 33
, developmental
time
anticipatory
Stressors throughout lifespan - Answer: Childhood- Failure of parents to meet
child's needs.
Adolescence-Peer pressure or rapid changes in appearance.
Young Adult- College, parenting, planning career.
Middle Age- Caring for children, parents, "Mid-life" crisis, numerous
responsibilities.
Older Adults- Loss of family, loneliness, isolation, reduced independence Change
in financial status.
Physiological Effects of stress - Answer: Dilated pupils
Muscle tension/Clenched Jaw
Headaches
Nausea/weight changes
Diarrhea/constipation
Diaphoresis
Chest Pain
Coping strategies (adaptive/effective coping) - Answer: Making healthy choices
that reduce the negative effects of stress.
Examples: Exercise, sleep, support system, getting away, music, meditation
Page 4 of 33
