Stress & Adaptation
List two key stress management strategies
Awareness of stressors, relaxation techniques (breathing, exercise), meditation/mindfulness, communication/support systems, journaling.
What is the difference between stress, anxiety, and fear?
Stress is external pressure; anxiety is an internal emotional response (vague, future-focused); fear is a response to real, identifiable danger.
What medication is commonly used to treat nightmares in PTSD?
What is the main difference between delirium and dementia in terms of onset?
Delirium has an acute onset (hours to days); dementia has a slow onset (months to years).
What are the two core symptoms required for a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?
Depressed mood or loss of interest (anhedonia).
What is the nursing focus when helping patients cope with stress?
Promote adaptive coping
What are the hallmark symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Excessive worry for 6 months or more, restlessness, fatigue, muscle tension, irritability, sleep problems
What is the difference in duration between Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
ASD lasts 3 days to 1 month; PTSD lasts more than 1 month.
Which type of dementia is characterized by visual hallucinations and Parkinsonism symptoms?
Lewy Body Dementia.
How long must symptoms persist for a diagnosis of Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)?
Chronic depression for 2 years or more.
According to Lazarus & Folkman, what determines an individual's stress response?
Perception of the event determines the stress response
Which neurotransmitter is decreased in anxiety disorders, leading to increased anxiety?
GABA
What is the first-line treatment for Adjustment Disorder?
Psychotherapy (CBT, supportive therapy, family therapy).
What is the most common cause of dementia?
Alzheimer's Disease.
What is the difference between somatic symptom disorder and illness anxiety disorder?
Somatic Symptom Disorder involves many physical symptoms; Illness Anxiety Disorder involves few or no symptoms but a focus on fear of disease.
Name the three stages of Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome
(GAS) Alarm, Resistance, Exhaustion.
What is the first-line medication class for long-term treatment of anxiety disorders?
BONUS (+10): What is the life-threatening condition can occur when taking SSRIs?
BONUS (+20): What is the FDA black box warning is associated with SSRIs in patients under age 24?
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors).
BONUS (+10): Serotonin Syndrome
BONUS (+20): Suicidality
Name two priority nursing interventions for patients experiencing flashbacks due to PTSD.
Stay with the patient, assess for suicidal ideation, remove harmful stimuli, maintain a safe environment
Name atleast two reversible causes of dementia that should always be ruled out.
Vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid disorders, infection, subdural hematoma, hydrocephalus, medications, electrolyte imbalance
What is primary gain in somatic symptom disorders?
Avoids anxiety or conflict (psychological relief from symptoms
--> the person is not intentionally faking symptoms. Instead, the physical symptoms unconsciously help reduce stress or psychological conflict.
What is the difference between adaptation and maladaptation?
Adaptation preserves integrity or restores equilibrium; maladaptation disrupts integrity or causes disequilibrium.
What is a priority nursing intervention during a panic attack?
Stay with the patient, provide a calm environment, use short phrases, reassure safety, administer PRN meds if ordered.
What is the difference between dissociation in Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and the flashbacks seen in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Dissociation in ASD often involves feeling detached or "in a daze" and occurs within 3 days to 1 month after trauma, while flashbacks in PTSD are vivid re-experiencing of the trauma and occur for more than 1 month after the event
What is the primary nursing priority for patients with delirium?
Safety first! Reorient frequently, reduce stimuli, ensure safety, treat underlying cause.
Name one first-line treatment modality for depressive disorders.
SSRIs, psychotherapy (CBT), SNRIs, ECT, light therapy.