Exam 10: Stress Responses and Stress Management

The adult child of a patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder asks, "Do you think depression and physical illness are connected? Since my father's death, my mother has had shingles and the flu, but she's usually not one who gets sick." Which answer by the nurse best reflects current knowledge?

A nurse leads a psychoeducational group for patients experiencing depression. The nurse plans to implement an exercise regime for each patient. The rationale to use when presenting this plan to the treatment team is that exercise

A person with a fear of heights drives across a high bridge. Which division of the autonomic nervous system will be stimulated in response to this experience?

A patient nervously says, "Financial problems are stressing my marriage. I've heard rumors about cutbacks at work; I am afraid I might get laid off." The patient's pulse is 112/minute; respirations are 26/minute; and blood pressure is 166/88. Which nursing intervention will the nurse implement?

A patient tells the nurse, "My doctor thinks my problems with stress relate to the negative way I think about things and suggested I learn new ways of thinking." Which response by the nurse would support the recommendation?

A patient tells the nurse, "I will never be happy until I'm as successful as my older sister." The nurse asks the patient to reassess this statement and reframe it. Which reframed statement by the patient is most likely to promote coping?

A patient diagnosed with emphysema has severe shortness of breath and needs portable oxygen when leaving home. Recently the patient has reduced activity because of fear that breathing difficulty will occur. A nurse suggests using guided imagery. Which image should the patient be encouraged to visualize?

Which changes reflect short-term physiological responses to stress? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse wishes to use guided imagery to help a patient relax. Which comments would be appropriate to include in the guided imagery script? (Select all that apply.)

A patient experiencing significant stress associated with a disturbing new medical diagnosis asks the nurse, "Do you think saying a prayer would help?" Select the nurse's best answer.

A recent immigrant from Honduras comes to the clinic with a family member who has been a U.S. resident for 10 years. The family member says, "The immigration to America has been very difficult." Considering cultural background, which expression of stress by this patient would the nurse expect?

A patient newly diagnosed as HIV-positive seeks the nurse's advice on how to reduce the risk of infections. The patient says, "I went to church years ago and I was in my best health then. Maybe I should start going to church again." Which response will the nurse offer?

Which scenario best demonstrates an example of eustress? An individual

An individual says to the nurse, "I feel so stressed out lately. I think the stress is affecting my body also." Which somatic complaints are most likely to accompany this feeling? (Select all that apply.)

A patient reports, "I am overwhelmed by stress." Which question by the nurse would be most important to use in the initial assessment of this patient?

A person with a fear of heights drives across a high bridge. Which structure will stimulate a response from the autonomic nervous system?

A patient tells the nurse, "I know that I should reduce the stress in my life, but I have no idea where to start." What would be the best initial nursing response?

Which comments by a nurse are likely to help a patient cope by addressing the mediators of the stress response? (Select all that apply.)

According to the Recent Life Changes Questionnaire, which situation would most necessitate a complete assessment of a person's stress status and coping abilities?

A patient who had been experiencing significant stress learned to use progressive muscle relaxation and deep breathing exercises. When the patient returns to the clinic 2 weeks later, which finding most clearly shows the patient is coping more effectively with stress?