Medical Surgical Nursing Chapter 8

Front 1

According to Selye, stress is defined as
A. any stimulus that causes a response in an individual.
B. a response of an individual to environmental demands.
C. a physical or psychologic adaptation to internal or external demands.
D. the result of a relationship between an individual and the environment that exceeds the individual’s resources.

Back 1

a response of an individual to environmental demands

Front 2

A patient who has undergone extensive surgery for multiple injuries has a period of increasing blood pressure, heart rate, and alertness. The nurse recognizes that these changes are most typical of
A. the resistance state of GAS.
B. the alarm reaction of the GAS.
C. the stage of exhaustion of GAS.
D. an individual response stereotype

Back 2

the alarm reaction of the GAS

Front 3

The nurse recognizes that cognitive appraisal is most evident when a patient facing surgery says,
A. “I don’t think I’m strong enough to undergo surgery tomorrow.”
B. “I’m just going to trust the surgeon and put my life in his hands.”
C. “I have too many changes in my life to deal with surgery right now.”
D. “I am so anxious about this my heart is about to leap out of my chest.”

Back 3

“I don’t think I’m strong enough to undergo surgery tomorrow

Front 4

The nurse would expect which of the following findings in a patient as a result of the physiologic effect of stress on the limbic system?
A. an episode of diarrhea while awaiting painful dressing changes
B. refusing to communicate with nurses while awaiting a cardiac catheterization
C. inability to sleep the night before beginning to self-administer insulin injections
D. increased blood pressure, decreased urine output, and hyperglycemia following a car accident

Back 4

inability to sleep the night before beginning to self-administer insulin injections

Front 5

The nurse utilizes knowledge of the effects of stress on the immune system by encouraging patients to
A. sleep for 10 to 12 hours per day.
B. receive regular immunizations when they are stressed.
C. use emotion-focused rather than problem-focused coping strategies.
D. avoid exposure to upper respiratory infections when physically stressed.

Back 5

avoid exposure to upper respiratory infections when physically stressed.

Front 6

The nurse recognizes that a person who is subjected to chronic stress and/or daily hassles could be at higher risk for
A. osteoporosis.
B. colds and flu.
C. low blood pressure.
D. high serum cholesterol.

Back 6

colds and flu

Front 7

The nurse recognizes that a patient with newly diagnosed cancer of the breast is using an emotion-focused coping process when she
A. joins a support group for women with breast cancer.
B. considers the pros and cons of the various treatment options.
C. delays treatment until her family can take a weekend trip together.
D. tells the nurse that she has a good prognosis because the tumor is small.

Back 7

joins a support group for women with breast cancer.

Front 8

During assessment, the nurse recognizes that a patient is more likely to have a greater response when stressed when the patient
A. feels that the situation is directing his life.
B. sees the situation as a challenge to be addressed.
C. has a clear understanding of his values and goals.
D. uses more problem-focused than emotion-focused coping strategies.

Back 8

feels that the situation is directing his life

Front 9

An appropriate nursing intervention for a patient who has a nursing diagnosis of ineffective coping related to inadequate psychologic resources is
A. controlling the environment to prevent sensory overload and promote sleep.
B. encouraging the patient’s family to offer emotional support by frequent visiting.
C. arranging for the patient to phone family and friends to maintain emotional bonds.
D. asking the patient to describe previous stressful situations and how she managed to resolve them.

Back 9

asking the patient to describe previous stressful situations and how she managed to resolve them.