Term
| General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) |
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Definition
| the "alarm reaction" or fight-or-flight response |
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Term
| The three stages of the GAS |
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Definition
1. stage of resistance, stimulus begins its physiological effects
2. stage of coping: one possible sequitur to the stage of resistance, stress is addressed in a healthy fashion, and physiological stress effects are reduced
stage of exhaustion: if stress is not coped with, it can proceed until the physical effects of stress cannot possibly be maintained, and the body undergoes a very extreme response before the effects fade |
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Term
| Four major reactions to GAS |
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Definition
increased heart rate & BP
increased respiratory rate
vasoconstriction
decreased GI motility |
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Term
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Definition
| glucocorticoid released in tandem with GAS, breaks down glycogen, and stimulates gluconeogenesis each raising the blood-glucose level |
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Term
| 3 aspects of Assessment of Stress |
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Definition
physiologic: facial expressions, vitals, etc.
behavioral: fidgeting, grasping of the brow, rushed speech, etc.
work-related: pt complains of trouble at the job |
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Term
| 2 common stress-related nursing diagnoses |
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Definition
| ineffective coping and anxiety are two of many acceptable answers |
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Term
| emotion vs. problem focused coping |
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Definition
emotion: changing the way one sees a problem to correct the symptoms of stress (i.e., he didn't dump you, he freed you from a poisonous relationship)
problem: changing one's environment to remove the stressor (i.e., your neighbor's dog barks all night keeping you up, so you confront your neighbor) |
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Term
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Definition
prayer/meditation
breathing exercises
and music therapy among others |
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Term
| True or False: medication should be offered simultaneously with therapy as an answer to stress. |
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Definition
| False, medication should be a last-stitch effort in response to stress |
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Term
| nursing recommendation to patient between diagnosis of poor prognosis, and time of treatment |
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Definition
| it's best to use this time to seek information related to treatment options |
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Term
Identify the stressors, symptoms, and necessary interventions in the following case study:
34 year old woman reports SOB, bounding heartbeat, and pain in her chest. Her preliminary lab tests came back normal. Pt is a teacher, who puts in no less than 14 hours a day and keeps her coffee cup full so she can keep up with her students. When asked about exercise she laughed, expressing a lack of time. |
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Definition
stressors: lack of rest, too much caffeine, no exercise
symptoms: dyspnea, palpitations, chest pain
interventions: more rest/breaks, less caffeine, more exercise |
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