Effects of Stress on Health and Wellness

Every question here, with the answer

1. A patient has become critically ill after prolonged unmanaged stress and is admitted to the ICU. Which nursing priority best reflects the goal of care described for this situation?

   1. Focus first on helping the patient pursue self-actualization goals.
   2. Support adequate neurological, cardiovascular, and pulmonary function to help restore homeostasis.
   3. Delay physiologic interventions until the patient identifies the original stressor.
   4. Prioritize social activities to reduce isolation before addressing organ function.

   Answer: Support adequate neurological, cardiovascular, and pulmonary function to help restore homeostasis.

   The section states that when stress effects become life-threatening, care focuses on returning homeostasis by meeting basic physiological needs. Self-actualization and social needs are important, but they are not the priority when the patient is critically ill and basic body functions are threatened.

2. A nurse is assessing a patient who reports years of unmanaged stress with little relaxation or physiological downtime. Which findings would be consistent with long-standing effects of increased cortisol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine? Select all that apply.

   1. Hyperglycemia
   2. Increased physiological downtime
   3. Hypertension
   4. Improved immune response
   5. Gastrointestinal upset

   Answer: Hyperglycemia, Hypertension, Gastrointestinal upset

   The section lists hypertension, hyperglycemia, and gastrointestinal upset among examples of long-standing effects of increased stress hormones. Improved immune response and increased downtime are inconsistent with the described chronic stress pattern.

3. A patient with chronic stress and worsening anxiety says, “I do not feel safe anywhere, and I keep making decisions I regret.” Which nursing assessment focus best matches the effect of stress on safety and security needs?

   1. Assess how anxiety is affecting the patient’s perception of safety and decision-making.
   2. Avoid discussing resources because anxiety is unrelated to safety.
   3. Assume the patient’s safety needs are met if vital signs are stable.
   4. Focus only on whether the patient has achieved self-actualization.

   Answer: Assess how anxiety is affecting the patient’s perception of safety and decision-making.

   The section connects anxiety with altered perception of safety and poor decisions. Stable vital signs do not rule out safety and security problems, and anxiety is directly relevant to this level of need.

4. A nurse is teaching a patient about coping patterns that can worsen chronic stress and related health problems. Which behaviors should the nurse identify as ineffective coping mechanisms? Select all that apply.

   1. Smoking as a way of reducing stress
   2. Overeating as a source of comfort
   3. Using resilience to frame a temporary stressor as eustress
   4. Using alcohol or drugs as a means of escape
   5. Not eating as a method of control

   Answer: Smoking as a way of reducing stress, Overeating as a source of comfort, Using alcohol or drugs as a means of escape, Not eating as a method of control

   The section specifically lists overeating, anorexia, substance use disorders, and smoking as ineffective coping mechanisms. Framing a temporary stressor as eustress with resilience is described as minimizing negative effects and allowing more positive adaptation.

5. A patient tells the nurse, “Everything is spiraling out of control, and the ways I usually handle stress are not working anymore.” How should the nurse interpret this report?

   1. The patient may be experiencing a crisis.
   2. The patient is demonstrating effective adaptation.
   3. The patient is experiencing only short-term eustress.
   4. The patient has reached self-actualization.

   Answer: The patient may be experiencing a crisis.

   The section describes crisis as inability to cope or loss of psychological homeostasis, especially when established stress-adaptation techniques no longer work. Effective adaptation would return the system toward homeostasis, and eustress is not described as spiraling out of control.

6. A community health nurse is helping plan prevention strategies for families at risk for adverse childhood experiences and chronic stress effects. Which strategies are consistent with the CDC prevention measures listed in the section? Select all that apply.

   1. Encouraging family members to enable each other’s maladaptive coping behaviors
   2. Strengthening economic supports to families
   3. Ensuring a strong start for children
   4. Promoting social norms that protect against violence and adversity
   5. Teaching skills

   Answer: Strengthening economic supports to families, Ensuring a strong start for children, Promoting social norms that protect against violence and adversity, Teaching skills

   The section lists economic supports, protective social norms, a strong start for children, and teaching skills as CDC strategies. Enabling each other’s actions is described as a dysfunctional behavior that reinforces chronic stress and negative effects.