Deck 10: Stress and Stress-Related Disorders

Question 1

A soldier returned 3 months ago from Afghanistan and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Which social event would most likely be disturbing for this soldier?

A)Halloween festival with neighborhood children
B)Singing carols around a Christmas tree
C)Family outing to the seashore
D)Fireworks display on July 4th

Answer 1

Fireworks display on July 4th

Question 2

A soldier returns to the United States from active duty in a combat zone in Afghanistan.The soldier is diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Which comment by the soldier requires the nurse's immediate attention?

A)"It's good to be home.I missed my family and friends."
B)"I saw my best friend get killed by a roadside bomb.It should have been me instead."
C)"Sometimes I think I hear bombs exploding,but it's just the noise of traffic in my hometown."
D)"I want to continue my education but I'm not sure how I will fit in with other college students."

Answer 2

"I saw my best friend get killed by a roadside bomb.It should have been me instead."

Question 3

A professor's 4-year-old child has a body temperature of 101.6° F,diarrhea,and complains of stomach pain.The professor is scheduled to teach three classes today.Which nursing diagnosis best applies to this scenario?

A)Decisional conflict
B)Unilateral neglect
C)Disabled family coping
D)Ineffective management of the therapeutic regimen

Answer 3

Decisional conflict

Question 4

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

A)Limbic system
B)Peripheral nervous system
C)Sympathetic nervous system
D)Parasympathetic nervous system

Question 5

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

A)Thalamus
B)Parietal lobe
C)Hypothalamus
D)Pituitary gland

Question 6

A soldier returned home from active duty in a combat zone in Afghanistan and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).The soldier says,"If there's a loud noise at night,I get under my bed because I think we're getting bombed." What type of experience has the soldier described?

A)Illusion
B)Flashback
C)Nightmare
D)Auditory hallucination

Question 7

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)Headache
B)Neck pain
C)Insomnia
D)Anorexia
E)Myopia

Question 8

As part of the stress response,the HPA axis is stimulated.Which structures make up this system?

A)Hippocampus,parietal lobe,and amygdala
B)Hypothalamus,pituitary gland,and adrenal glands
C)Hind brain,pyramidal nervous system,and anterior cerebrum
D)Hepatic artery,parasympathetic nervous system,and acoustic nerve

Question 9

A patient with liver failure has been on the transplant waiting list for 8 months.The patient says to the nurse,"Why is it taking so long to have the surgery? Maybe I'm meant to die for all the bad things I've done." The nurse should document the patient's comment in which section of the assessment?

A)Physical
B)Spiritual
C)Financial
D)Psychological

Question 10

A soldier who served in a combat zone returned to the United States.The soldier's spouse complains to the nurse,"We had planned to start a family,but now he won't talk about it.He won't even look at children." The spouse is describing which symptom associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

A)Reexperiencing
B)Hyperarousal
C)Avoidance
D)Psychosis

Question 11

A soldier returned home last year after deployment to a war zone.The soldier's spouse complains,"We were going to start a family but now he won't talk about it.He will not look at children.I wonder if we're going to make it as a couple." Select the nurse's best response.

A)"Posttraumatic stress disorder often changes a person's sexual functioning."
B)"I encourage you to continue to participate in social activities where children are present."
C)"Have you talked with your spouse about these reactions? Sometimes we just need to confront behavior."
D)"Posttraumatic stress disorder often strains relationships.Here are some community resources for help and support."

Question 12

A nurse talks with the caregiver of a combat veteran with severe traumatic brain injuries.The caregiver says,"I don't know how much longer I can do it.My whole life is consumed with taking care of my partner." Select the nurse's best response.

A)"How are you taking care of yourself?"
B)"Let's review your partner's diagnostic results."
C)"I have some web-based programs for you to visit."
D)"Your partner is lucky to have someone so devoted."

Question 13

A soldier served in combat zones in Iraq in 2010 and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011.When is it most important for the nurse to screen for signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

A)Immediately upon return to the United States from Afghanistan
B)Before departing Afghanistan to return to the United States
C)One year after returning from Afghanistan
D)Screening should be ongoing

Question 14

A soldier in a combat zone tells the nurse,"I saw a child get blown up over a year ago,but I keep seeing bits of flesh everywhere.I see something red and the visions race back to my mind." Which phenomenon associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)is this soldier describing?

A)Reexperiencing
B)Hyperarousal
C)Avoidance
D)Psychosis

Question 15

A nurse assesses soldiers in a combat zone in Afghanistan.When is it most important for the nurse to screen for signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI)?

A)After a fall,vehicle crash,or exposure to a blast
B)Before departing Afghanistan to return to the United States
C)One year after returning to the United States from Afghanistan
D)Immediately upon return to the United States from Afghanistan

Question 16

A patient is brought to the emergency department after a motorcycle accident.The patient is alert,responsive,and diagnosed with a broken leg.The patient's vital signs are temperature (T),98.6° F;pulse (P),72 beats per minute (bpm);and respirations (R),16 breaths per minute.After being informed that surgery is required for the broken leg,which vital sign readings would be expected?

A)T,98.6°;P,64;R,14
B)T,98.6°;P,68;R,12
C)T,98.6°;P,62;R,16
D)T,98.6°;P,84;R,22

Question 17

A soldier returns to the United States from active duty in a combat zone in Afghanistan.The soldier is diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).The nurse's highest priority is to screen this soldier for which problem?

A)Major depression
B)Bipolar disorder
C)Schizophrenia
D)Dementia

Question 18

Cortisol is released in response to a patient's prolonged stress.Which initial effect would the nurse expect to result from the increased cortisol level?

A)Diuresis and electrolyte imbalance
B)Focused and alert mental status
C)Drowsiness and lethargy
D)Restlessness and anxiety

Question 19

Which scenario best demonstrates an example of eustress? An individual:

A)loses a beloved family pet.
B)prepares to take a 1 week vacation to a tropical island with a group of close friends.
C)receives a bank notice there were insufficient funds in their account for a recent rent payment.
D)receives notification that their current employer is experiencing financial problems and some workers will be terminated.

Question 20

Which experiences are most likely to precipitate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Select all that apply.

A)A young adult jumps from a bridge with a bungee cord with a best friend.
B)An 8-year-old child watches an R-rated movie with both parents.
C)An adolescent is kidnapped and held for 2 years in the home of a sexual predator.
D)A passenger is in a bus that overturns on a sharp curve in the road,tumbling down an embankment.
E)An adult is trapped for 3 hours at an angle in an elevator after a portion of the supporting cable breaks.

Question 21

A professor's 4-year-old child has a temperature of 101.6° F,diarrhea,and complains of stomach pain.The professor is scheduled to teach three classes today.Which actions by the professor demonstrate effective parenting? Select all that apply.

A)Telephoning a grandparent to stay with the child at home for the day.
B)Telephoning a colleague to teach his classes and stays home with the sick child.
C)Taking the child to the university and keeps the child in a private office for the day.
D)Taking the child to a daycare center and hopes daycare workers will not notice the child is sick.
E)Giving the child one dose of ibuprofen (Motrin)and takes the child to the daycare center.

Question 22

A nurse assesses the health status of soldiers returning from Afghanistan.Screening will be a priority for signs and symptoms of which health problems? Select all that apply.

A)Schizophrenia
B)Eating disorder
C)Traumatic brain injury
D)Seasonal affective disorder
E)Posttraumatic stress disorder