NUR 256 MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 2 REVIEW:
STRESS AND DISORDERS EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS TESTED AND
APPROVED 2025/2026 LATEST
What are the three stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
theory? --CORRECT ANSWER--1. Alarm: initial response to stress;
2. Resistance: adaptation stage; 3. Exhaustion: resources are depleted,
leading to potential health issues.
What happens during the alarm stage of GAS? --CORRECT
ANSWER--There is a brief and adaptive response to the stressor,
including blood vessel constriction and the release of norepinephrine
and epinephrine.
What characterizes the resistance stage of GAS? --CORRECT
ANSWER--It is the adaptation stage where the body sustains optimal
resistance and hormone levels adjust, allowing recovery and return to
homeostasis.
What are the consequences of the exhaustion stage in GAS? --
CORRECT ANSWER--Attempts to resist the stressor are futile,
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,resources are depleted, leading to chronic stress, immune system
challenges, and potential health disorders.
How do females differ from males in their stress responses? --
CORRECT ANSWER--Females may exhibit a 'tend and befriend'
response due to estrogen exposure, while males may experience
altered prefrontal blood flow.
What is the definition of stress? --CORRECT ANSWER--Stress is the
brain's response to any demand that poses a challenge or threat to
mental or physical health.
What is distress and how does it affect individuals? --CORRECT
ANSWER--Distress is negative stress that drains energy and can lead
to anxiety, depression, confusion, helplessness, and fatigue.
What is eustress? --CORRECT ANSWER--Eustress is positive stress
that motivates individuals and results in feelings of happiness,
hopefulness, and purposeful movement.
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,What are some examples of physical stressors? --CORRECT
ANSWER--Illness, poor diet, lack of sleep, environmental toxins,
physical exertion, and prolonged sitting.
What are some examples of psychological stressors? --CORRECT
ANSWER--Work/school demands, social conflicts, life events (like
death or divorce), financial issues, and personal health challenges.
What is the nurse's role in managing patient stress? --CORRECT
ANSWER--The nurse should promote a healing environment,
facilitate coping strategies, and teach adaptive ways to cope.
What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system in stress response?
--CORRECT ANSWER--It activates the stress response, leading to
increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, rapid breathing, dilated
pupils, sweating, muscle tension, and a surge of glucose for energy.
What triggers the activation of the sympathetic nervous system during
stress? --CORRECT ANSWER--Perceived dangerous stimuli are sent
to the brain's amygdala, which processes emotional data and signals
the hypothalamus to activate the adrenal glands.
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, What hormones are released during the stress response? --CORRECT
ANSWER--Adrenaline (epinephrine) is released from the adrenal
glands, and cortisol is produced by the adrenal cortex after stimulation
by ACTH.
What is the function of the hypothalamus in the stress response? --
CORRECT ANSWER--It secretes corticotropin-releasing hormone
that stimulates the pituitary gland to release ACTH, leading to cortisol
production.
What physiological changes occur in the body during the stress
response? --CORRECT ANSWER--Increased heart rate, elevated
blood pressure, rapid breathing, and release of stress hormones.
What is the impact of childhood stress exposure on adult mental
health? --CORRECT ANSWER--High levels of stress in childhood
may lead to greater incidences of mental illness in adulthood.
What is the significance of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)
axis in stress response? --CORRECT ANSWER--It regulates the
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STRESS AND DISORDERS EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS TESTED AND
APPROVED 2025/2026 LATEST
What are the three stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
theory? --CORRECT ANSWER--1. Alarm: initial response to stress;
2. Resistance: adaptation stage; 3. Exhaustion: resources are depleted,
leading to potential health issues.
What happens during the alarm stage of GAS? --CORRECT
ANSWER--There is a brief and adaptive response to the stressor,
including blood vessel constriction and the release of norepinephrine
and epinephrine.
What characterizes the resistance stage of GAS? --CORRECT
ANSWER--It is the adaptation stage where the body sustains optimal
resistance and hormone levels adjust, allowing recovery and return to
homeostasis.
What are the consequences of the exhaustion stage in GAS? --
CORRECT ANSWER--Attempts to resist the stressor are futile,
Page 1 of 82
,resources are depleted, leading to chronic stress, immune system
challenges, and potential health disorders.
How do females differ from males in their stress responses? --
CORRECT ANSWER--Females may exhibit a 'tend and befriend'
response due to estrogen exposure, while males may experience
altered prefrontal blood flow.
What is the definition of stress? --CORRECT ANSWER--Stress is the
brain's response to any demand that poses a challenge or threat to
mental or physical health.
What is distress and how does it affect individuals? --CORRECT
ANSWER--Distress is negative stress that drains energy and can lead
to anxiety, depression, confusion, helplessness, and fatigue.
What is eustress? --CORRECT ANSWER--Eustress is positive stress
that motivates individuals and results in feelings of happiness,
hopefulness, and purposeful movement.
Page 2 of 82
,What are some examples of physical stressors? --CORRECT
ANSWER--Illness, poor diet, lack of sleep, environmental toxins,
physical exertion, and prolonged sitting.
What are some examples of psychological stressors? --CORRECT
ANSWER--Work/school demands, social conflicts, life events (like
death or divorce), financial issues, and personal health challenges.
What is the nurse's role in managing patient stress? --CORRECT
ANSWER--The nurse should promote a healing environment,
facilitate coping strategies, and teach adaptive ways to cope.
What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system in stress response?
--CORRECT ANSWER--It activates the stress response, leading to
increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, rapid breathing, dilated
pupils, sweating, muscle tension, and a surge of glucose for energy.
What triggers the activation of the sympathetic nervous system during
stress? --CORRECT ANSWER--Perceived dangerous stimuli are sent
to the brain's amygdala, which processes emotional data and signals
the hypothalamus to activate the adrenal glands.
Page 3 of 82
, What hormones are released during the stress response? --CORRECT
ANSWER--Adrenaline (epinephrine) is released from the adrenal
glands, and cortisol is produced by the adrenal cortex after stimulation
by ACTH.
What is the function of the hypothalamus in the stress response? --
CORRECT ANSWER--It secretes corticotropin-releasing hormone
that stimulates the pituitary gland to release ACTH, leading to cortisol
production.
What physiological changes occur in the body during the stress
response? --CORRECT ANSWER--Increased heart rate, elevated
blood pressure, rapid breathing, and release of stress hormones.
What is the impact of childhood stress exposure on adult mental
health? --CORRECT ANSWER--High levels of stress in childhood
may lead to greater incidences of mental illness in adulthood.
What is the significance of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)
axis in stress response? --CORRECT ANSWER--It regulates the
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