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NURS 231 Pathophysiology Exam 2 2026/2027
Questions | Verified Answers | Detailed Rationales |
Grade A | Portage Learning
1. What is stress?
Correct Answer: Stress is a state of mental, emotional, and physiological
strain or tension resulting from demanding circumstances, whether positive
or negative.
Rationale:
1. Stress has multiple dimensions (mental, emotional, physiological).
2. This is a standard definition question.
2. Name the 2 types of stress.
A. Eustress: "good stress", positive response but still a stressor (e.g.,
adrenaline junkie)
B. Distress: negative/bad stress, unwelcomed (e.g., PTSD)
Correct Answer: A, B.
Rationale:
1. Eustress is beneficial; distress is harmful.
2. This is a standard stress terminology question.
3. What are stress responses?
Correct Answer: Innate and life-protecting. We are born with it and will die
without it (e.g., babies being easily scared and very jumpy).
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Rationale:
1. The stress response is essential for survival.
2. This is a standard physiology question.
4. What is the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?
Correct Answer: A collection of responses to a stressor, real or perceived.
Rationale:
1. GAS describes the body's response to stress.
2. This is a standard stress physiology question.
5. Name the 3 stages of physiological processes in GAS.
A. Initial Alarm
B. Resistance
C. Exhaustion
Correct Answer: A, B, C.
Rationale:
1. These three stages describe the body's response to ongoing stress.
2. This is a standard stress physiology question.
6. What is the Initial Alarm Stage of GAS?
Correct Answer: Body prepares for defense "fight or flight" – epinephrine
release, HR increases, reflexes heightened, dilated pupils, increased
respirations.
Rationale:
1. The alarm stage mobilizes resources for immediate action.
2. This is a standard stress physiology question.
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7. What is the Resistance Stage of GAS?
Correct Answer: If the threat remains, the body compensates for the threat –
cardiac output normalizes, attempts to repair damage.
Rationale:
1. The resistance stage attempts to maintain adaptation.
2. This is a standard stress physiology question.
8. What is the Exhaustion Stage of GAS?
Correct Answer: Breakdown/tired/struggling – excessive strain on the body,
stress still releasing.
Rationale:
1. Exhaustion leads to stress-related illness.
2. This is a standard stress physiology question.
9. What is allostatic load?
Correct Answer: The long-term negative impact of the stress response on the
body.
Rationale:
1. Chronic stress causes wear and tear (allostatic load).
2. This is a standard stress physiology question.
10. What are warning signs that stress is too high?
A. Memory loss, hard to concentrate, negativity
B. Poor judgment, chest pain, worry/anxiety, irritability
Correct Answer: A, B.
NURS 231 Pathophysiology Exam 2 2026/2027
Questions | Verified Answers | Detailed Rationales |
Grade A | Portage Learning
1. What is stress?
Correct Answer: Stress is a state of mental, emotional, and physiological
strain or tension resulting from demanding circumstances, whether positive
or negative.
Rationale:
1. Stress has multiple dimensions (mental, emotional, physiological).
2. This is a standard definition question.
2. Name the 2 types of stress.
A. Eustress: "good stress", positive response but still a stressor (e.g.,
adrenaline junkie)
B. Distress: negative/bad stress, unwelcomed (e.g., PTSD)
Correct Answer: A, B.
Rationale:
1. Eustress is beneficial; distress is harmful.
2. This is a standard stress terminology question.
3. What are stress responses?
Correct Answer: Innate and life-protecting. We are born with it and will die
without it (e.g., babies being easily scared and very jumpy).
,2|Page
Rationale:
1. The stress response is essential for survival.
2. This is a standard physiology question.
4. What is the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?
Correct Answer: A collection of responses to a stressor, real or perceived.
Rationale:
1. GAS describes the body's response to stress.
2. This is a standard stress physiology question.
5. Name the 3 stages of physiological processes in GAS.
A. Initial Alarm
B. Resistance
C. Exhaustion
Correct Answer: A, B, C.
Rationale:
1. These three stages describe the body's response to ongoing stress.
2. This is a standard stress physiology question.
6. What is the Initial Alarm Stage of GAS?
Correct Answer: Body prepares for defense "fight or flight" – epinephrine
release, HR increases, reflexes heightened, dilated pupils, increased
respirations.
Rationale:
1. The alarm stage mobilizes resources for immediate action.
2. This is a standard stress physiology question.
, 3|Page
7. What is the Resistance Stage of GAS?
Correct Answer: If the threat remains, the body compensates for the threat –
cardiac output normalizes, attempts to repair damage.
Rationale:
1. The resistance stage attempts to maintain adaptation.
2. This is a standard stress physiology question.
8. What is the Exhaustion Stage of GAS?
Correct Answer: Breakdown/tired/struggling – excessive strain on the body,
stress still releasing.
Rationale:
1. Exhaustion leads to stress-related illness.
2. This is a standard stress physiology question.
9. What is allostatic load?
Correct Answer: The long-term negative impact of the stress response on the
body.
Rationale:
1. Chronic stress causes wear and tear (allostatic load).
2. This is a standard stress physiology question.
10. What are warning signs that stress is too high?
A. Memory loss, hard to concentrate, negativity
B. Poor judgment, chest pain, worry/anxiety, irritability
Correct Answer: A, B.
