When released in response to alarm, what substance promotes a sense of well-being?
a. Aldosterone
b. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
c. Endorphins
d. Adrenocorticotropic hormone - ANSWER:c. Endorphins
After sustaining injuries in a motor vehicle accident, a patient experienced a decrease in blood pressure
and an increase in heart rate and respiratory rate despite surgical intervention and fluid resuscitation.
What stage of the general adaptation syndrome is this?
a. Alarm
b. Resistance
c. Exhaustion
d. Recovery - ANSWER:c. Exhaustion
When you respond to this emergency, which substance will your body secrete in large amounts to help
prepare you to react in this situation?
a. Epinephrine
b. Corticotrophin-releasing hormone
c. Aldosterone
d. Antidiuretic hormone - ANSWER:a. Epinephrine
What is the function of antidiuretic hormone when releases in the alarm stage of the general adaptation
syndrome?
a. Promotes fluid retention by increasing the reabsorption of water by kidney tubules
b. Increases efficiency of cellular metabolism and fat conversion to energy for cells and muscle
c. Increases the use of fats and proteins for energy and conserves glucose for use by the brain
d. Promotes fluid retention by causing the kidneys to reabsorb more sodium - ANSWER:a. Promotes fluid
retention by increasing the reabsorption of water by kidney tubules
What step in the inflammatory process will the patient experience first?
a. Cellular inflammation
b. Exudate formation
,c. Tissue regeneration
d. Vascular response - ANSWER:d. Vascular response
A patient complains of a vague, uneasy feeling of dread, and his heart rate is elevated. What nursing
diagnosis is most appropriate for this patient?
a. Anger
b. Fear
c. Anxiety
d. Hopelessness - ANSWER:c. Anxiety
A family member tells you that the patient is pretending to have the symptoms of a stomach ulcer to
avoid going to work. Which somatoform disorder is the patient most likely experiencing?
a. Hypochondriasis
b. Somatization
c. Somatoform pain disorder
d. Malingering - ANSWER:d. Malingering
A nurse identifies a patient's nursing diagnosis as "Diarrhea related to stress." What nursing intervention
should be included in the nursing care plan to help the patient relieve the cause of the diarrhea?
a. Monitor and record the frequency of stools on the graphic record
b. Administer prescribed antidiarrheal medications as needed
c. Encourage the patient to verbalize about stressors and anxiety
d. Provide oral fluids on a regular schedule - ANSWER:c. Encourage the patient to verbalize about
stressors and anxiety
At the end of a guided imagery session, what physical assessment finding would suggest that the
relaxation technique was successful?
a. Decreased blood pressure
b. Decreased peripheral skin temperature
c. Increased heart rate
d. Increased respiratory rate - ANSWER:a. Decreased blood pressure
Before entering the room of a patient who is angry and yelling, why would the nurse remove her
stethoscope from around her neck?
a. Could be used by the patient to hurt her
b. Might cause the patient not to trust her
, c. Would distract her from focusing on the patient
d. Will function as another stressor for the patient. - ANSWER:a. Could be used by the patient to hurt her
A 35 year old female comes to the clinic for her annual physical. Upon examination, the nurse palates a
lump in the left breast. She informs the client of the finding and the client responds, "Yes, I found it a few
months ago too but just didn't want to think about it." The nurse recognizes that this client has been
using which approach to coping with the lump?
a. Altering
b. Adapting
c. Changing
d. Avoiding - ANSWER:d. Avoiding
A 60 year old male attends a smoking cessation class. He tells the nurse, "Even though I smoke, I don't
smoke around the children, in my car, or in my house." What defense mechanism is his male exhibiting?
a. Displacement
b. Rationalization
c. Denial
d. Repression - ANSWER:b. Rationalization
A patient admitted to the cardiac unit is going to the cardiac catheterization lab for a procedure. The
patient tells the nurse, "I am so anxious about this. I am afraid the procedure might trigger a heart
attack." What would be the first action by the nurse?
a. Contact the physician for an anti-anxiety medication prior to the procedure
b. Assure the patient that this is a very common procedure for all cardiac patients
c. Instruct the patient prior to the procedure about what he can expect of the procedure
d. Offer the patient some stress-reducing techniques to use before the procedure - ANSWER:c. Instruct
the patient prior to the procedure about what he can expect of the procedure
A 75 year old patient is tearful, shaky, and withdrawn. She tells you that she is "worrying herself to
death" about losing her aging husband and being "all alone." Why do you recognize this reaction as
anxiety rather than fear? Select all that apply:
a. it concerns future or anticipated events
b. it concerns anticipation of danger rather than a present danger
c. there is no shakiness or tearfulness present
d. there is a psychological rather than a physical threat - ANSWER:a. it concerns future or anticipated
events