DAVIS ADVANTAGE FOR
TOWNSEND'S PSYCHIATRIC
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KARYN MORGAN
TEST BANK
1) Biological response to acute stress
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Concept of Stress Adaptation — Stress
as a Biological Response
Stem:
A 19-year-old student is brought to urgent care after narrowly
avoiding a car accident. The patient is pacing, breathing rapidly,
and says, “My heart is pounding, and I feel like I cannot think
straight.” Which nursing interpretation is most appropriate?
,Options:
A. The patient is demonstrating a normal sympathetic nervous
system response to stress.
B. The patient is experiencing a delayed psychological response
that requires sedative medication.
C. The patient is having a psychotic reaction to the event.
D. The patient is exhibiting signs of chronic maladaptive coping.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Acute stress activates the sympathetic nervous system,
producing tachycardia, rapid breathing, and heightened
alertness. These are expected biologic responses that prepare
the body for action. The nurse should recognize this as a normal
stress response rather than pathologizing it.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
B. A sedative is not the first response to a normal acute stress
reaction. The patient needs assessment, reassurance, and
calming support first.
C. Nothing in the stem suggests hallucinations, delusions, or
disorganized thought.
D. One stressful event does not establish chronic maladaptive
coping.
Teaching Point:
Acute stress often causes predictable fight-or-flight physical
symptoms.
,Citation:
Morgan, K. (2024). Davis Advantage for Townsend’s Psychiatric
Mental Health Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
2) Fight-or-flight response
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Concept of Stress Adaptation — Stress
as a Biological Response
Stem:
A nurse is teaching a class about the body’s immediate
response to threat. A student asks what happens first when a
person suddenly feels endangered. Which response should the
nurse include?
Options:
A. Parasympathetic activation slows the heart rate and
digestion.
B. The body releases hormones that increase readiness for
action.
C. The immune system immediately eliminates the stressor.
D. The body stops all physiologic activity until the stress passes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
The fight-or-flight response prepares the person to respond to
danger through physiologic activation, including increased heart
rate, blood pressure, and energy availability. This helps the body
, meet the perceived threat. It is a core biological stress
response.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Parasympathetic activity is associated with calming and
restoration, not immediate threat response.
C. The immune system does not instantly remove an
environmental stressor.
D. The body does not shut down during stress; it mobilizes
resources.
Teaching Point:
Stress triggers physiologic arousal to prepare the body for
action.
Citation:
Morgan, K. (2024). Davis Advantage for Townsend’s Psychiatric
Mental Health Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Environmental stressor
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Concept of Stress Adaptation — Stress
as an Environmental Event
Stem:
A client says, “Ever since I lost my apartment and started
sleeping in my car, I cannot concentrate or relax.” Which factor
is the stressor in this situation?
TOWNSEND'S PSYCHIATRIC
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
11TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KARYN MORGAN
TEST BANK
1) Biological response to acute stress
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Concept of Stress Adaptation — Stress
as a Biological Response
Stem:
A 19-year-old student is brought to urgent care after narrowly
avoiding a car accident. The patient is pacing, breathing rapidly,
and says, “My heart is pounding, and I feel like I cannot think
straight.” Which nursing interpretation is most appropriate?
,Options:
A. The patient is demonstrating a normal sympathetic nervous
system response to stress.
B. The patient is experiencing a delayed psychological response
that requires sedative medication.
C. The patient is having a psychotic reaction to the event.
D. The patient is exhibiting signs of chronic maladaptive coping.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale — Correct Answer:
Acute stress activates the sympathetic nervous system,
producing tachycardia, rapid breathing, and heightened
alertness. These are expected biologic responses that prepare
the body for action. The nurse should recognize this as a normal
stress response rather than pathologizing it.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
B. A sedative is not the first response to a normal acute stress
reaction. The patient needs assessment, reassurance, and
calming support first.
C. Nothing in the stem suggests hallucinations, delusions, or
disorganized thought.
D. One stressful event does not establish chronic maladaptive
coping.
Teaching Point:
Acute stress often causes predictable fight-or-flight physical
symptoms.
,Citation:
Morgan, K. (2024). Davis Advantage for Townsend’s Psychiatric
Mental Health Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
2) Fight-or-flight response
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Concept of Stress Adaptation — Stress
as a Biological Response
Stem:
A nurse is teaching a class about the body’s immediate
response to threat. A student asks what happens first when a
person suddenly feels endangered. Which response should the
nurse include?
Options:
A. Parasympathetic activation slows the heart rate and
digestion.
B. The body releases hormones that increase readiness for
action.
C. The immune system immediately eliminates the stressor.
D. The body stops all physiologic activity until the stress passes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct Answer:
The fight-or-flight response prepares the person to respond to
danger through physiologic activation, including increased heart
rate, blood pressure, and energy availability. This helps the body
, meet the perceived threat. It is a core biological stress
response.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. Parasympathetic activity is associated with calming and
restoration, not immediate threat response.
C. The immune system does not instantly remove an
environmental stressor.
D. The body does not shut down during stress; it mobilizes
resources.
Teaching Point:
Stress triggers physiologic arousal to prepare the body for
action.
Citation:
Morgan, K. (2024). Davis Advantage for Townsend’s Psychiatric
Mental Health Nursing (11th ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Environmental stressor
Reference: Ch. 1 — The Concept of Stress Adaptation — Stress
as an Environmental Event
Stem:
A client says, “Ever since I lost my apartment and started
sleeping in my car, I cannot concentrate or relax.” Which factor
is the stressor in this situation?
