Davis Advantage for Townsend's
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
11th Edition
Author(s)Karyn Morgan
TEST BANK
Question 1
A nursing student asks why two patients exposed to the same
stressful event respond differently. Which explanation by the
psychiatric nurse is most accurate?
A. Stress responses are determined solely by the intensity of
the event.
B. Stress occurs when a person appraises an event as exceeding
available coping resources.
C. Stress is present only when physiologic symptoms are
observed.
D. Stress reactions are identical among individuals with similar
backgrounds.
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Stress is conceptualized as a transaction between the individual
and the environment. An event becomes stressful when the
person perceives the demands as greater than available coping
resources. Option A is incorrect because perception and coping
ability are critical determinants. Option C is incorrect because
stress may exist without obvious physical manifestations.
Option D is incorrect because responses vary according to
appraisal, coping skills, and previous experiences.
Source:
Davis Advantage for Townsend's Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing, 11th Edition — Chapter 1: The Concept of Stress
Adaptation
Question 2
A patient experiences tachycardia, dilated pupils, and increased
blood pressure after narrowly avoiding a motor vehicle
collision. Which concept best explains this response?
A. Secondary appraisal
B. Homeostasis
C. General adaptation syndrome alarm reaction
D. Exhaustion stage
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale:
The alarm reaction is the first stage of the general adaptation
syndrome and involves activation of the sympathetic nervous
system and physiologic fight-or-flight responses. Secondary
appraisal refers to evaluating coping resources. Homeostasis is
a state of equilibrium rather than the acute response.
Exhaustion occurs after prolonged stress when adaptive
mechanisms fail.
Source:
Davis Advantage for Townsend's Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing, 11th Edition — Chapter 1: The Concept of Stress
Adaptation
Question 3
A patient says, “I just found out I lost my job, but I see it as a
chance to pursue something better.” Which statement best
reflects this response?
A. Maladaptive coping
B. Positive cognitive appraisal
C. Physiologic exhaustion
D. Environmental overload
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The patient is appraising the stressor as an opportunity rather
than a threat, demonstrating a positive cognitive appraisal. This
, approach can reduce emotional distress and promote adaptive
coping. There is no evidence of maladaptive coping, exhaustion,
or overwhelming environmental demands.
Source:
Davis Advantage for Townsend's Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing, 11th Edition — Chapter 1: The Concept of Stress
Adaptation
Question 4
Which patient statement indicates the most effective use of
stress management?
A. “I avoid thinking about anything upsetting.”
B. “I take a walk and practice deep breathing when I feel
overwhelmed.”
C. “I keep my feelings to myself.”
D. “I wait until the stress goes away on its own.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Exercise and relaxation techniques are adaptive stress
management strategies that reduce physiologic arousal and
improve coping. Avoidance, emotional suppression, and passive
waiting do not actively address the stress response and are less
effective long-term.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
11th Edition
Author(s)Karyn Morgan
TEST BANK
Question 1
A nursing student asks why two patients exposed to the same
stressful event respond differently. Which explanation by the
psychiatric nurse is most accurate?
A. Stress responses are determined solely by the intensity of
the event.
B. Stress occurs when a person appraises an event as exceeding
available coping resources.
C. Stress is present only when physiologic symptoms are
observed.
D. Stress reactions are identical among individuals with similar
backgrounds.
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Stress is conceptualized as a transaction between the individual
and the environment. An event becomes stressful when the
person perceives the demands as greater than available coping
resources. Option A is incorrect because perception and coping
ability are critical determinants. Option C is incorrect because
stress may exist without obvious physical manifestations.
Option D is incorrect because responses vary according to
appraisal, coping skills, and previous experiences.
Source:
Davis Advantage for Townsend's Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing, 11th Edition — Chapter 1: The Concept of Stress
Adaptation
Question 2
A patient experiences tachycardia, dilated pupils, and increased
blood pressure after narrowly avoiding a motor vehicle
collision. Which concept best explains this response?
A. Secondary appraisal
B. Homeostasis
C. General adaptation syndrome alarm reaction
D. Exhaustion stage
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale:
The alarm reaction is the first stage of the general adaptation
syndrome and involves activation of the sympathetic nervous
system and physiologic fight-or-flight responses. Secondary
appraisal refers to evaluating coping resources. Homeostasis is
a state of equilibrium rather than the acute response.
Exhaustion occurs after prolonged stress when adaptive
mechanisms fail.
Source:
Davis Advantage for Townsend's Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing, 11th Edition — Chapter 1: The Concept of Stress
Adaptation
Question 3
A patient says, “I just found out I lost my job, but I see it as a
chance to pursue something better.” Which statement best
reflects this response?
A. Maladaptive coping
B. Positive cognitive appraisal
C. Physiologic exhaustion
D. Environmental overload
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The patient is appraising the stressor as an opportunity rather
than a threat, demonstrating a positive cognitive appraisal. This
, approach can reduce emotional distress and promote adaptive
coping. There is no evidence of maladaptive coping, exhaustion,
or overwhelming environmental demands.
Source:
Davis Advantage for Townsend's Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing, 11th Edition — Chapter 1: The Concept of Stress
Adaptation
Question 4
Which patient statement indicates the most effective use of
stress management?
A. “I avoid thinking about anything upsetting.”
B. “I take a walk and practice deep breathing when I feel
overwhelmed.”
C. “I keep my feelings to myself.”
D. “I wait until the stress goes away on its own.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Exercise and relaxation techniques are adaptive stress
management strategies that reduce physiologic arousal and
improve coping. Avoidance, emotional suppression, and passive
waiting do not actively address the stress response and are less
effective long-term.
