Stress & Adaptation I
3 symptoms you might assess in a client in the alarm stage of stress
Increased heart rate, increased alertness and increased blood glucose
3 factors that may cause sensory overload
Pain, lack of sleep, strange new environment, excess worry and stress.
What is the main goal of all therapeutic relationships?
To focus on meeting the client's goals.
When developing goals/outcomes for the client, the nurse should focus on what factors?
The goals should be reasonable to achieve, client should be involved in making goals, and the client goals/outcomes should be CLIENT CENTERED.
Name some effective coping mechanisms.
Exercising, meditation, taking a vacation, setting limits on family members,
Factors that contribute to the alarm stage
Stressors
3 factors that may contribute to sensory deficit
Isolated from sources of emotional supports, being alone without contact with others, deficits in vision or hearing
What quality does the nurse need to have to foster therapeutic relationships with clients?
Self awareness
Can you describe health?
Health is the absence of disease.
WHO describes health as not just the absence of disease, but also a sense of wellbeing and involvement in life activities.
Name some symptoms that can be recognized as the panic stage of anxiety.
Increased respiratory rate, SOB, tachycardia, palpitations, shaking, numbness, nausea, pacing, dizziness, chest pain, fearful/paranoia, fear of dying.
Which body system is responsible for the body's reactions to stress?
The sympathetic nervous system
How can nurses help an elderly client who is experiencing sensory deprivation?
A calendar in his room, a clock in his room, a page for each day saying what day it is, where he is, who are his caretakers, etc., along with regular visitors and conversations.
What is the highest level of anxiety?
The stage of panic
How would you describe illness?
A change in the way they feel or a disruption in their typical life
How would you describe coping?
A process that a person uses to manage events that he/she encounters, perceives and interprets as stressful.
When clients respond to stressful life events by use of positive coping mechanisms, which stage of stress & adaptation are they in?
The stage of resistance
A client in an isolation room might be helped with what supports?
Visitors, television, cell phone, books, newspapers,
What is the stage of anxiety that can help performance on tests?
The stage of mild anxiety.
Can you give examples of acute illnesses?
Appendicitis, myocardial infarction (heart attack), UTI, pneumonia
How would you describe adaptation?
A person's capacity to flourish and survive even with adversity
When clients are unable to cope with life's stressors and become increasingly susceptible to colds, headaches, muscular tension, excessive tiredness, and many other symptoms, what stage of stress & adaptation are they in?
The stage of exhaustion
When caring for an unconscious client, the nurse should understand which concept of caring?
The nurse should regularly speak to the unconscious client and explain whatever she is doing to the client.
What is the term used to describe when the nurse spends time with clients, and listens + responds genuinely to clients?
This behavior shows a positive regard for the client.
Can you give examples of chronic illnesses?
Diabetes, heart failure, COPD, asthma, chronic renal failure, glaucoma, peripheral vascular disease.
How would you describe the "fight or flight" response to a stressor?
Fight or Flight:
-Alarm reaction – body alerts the body’s defenses
-Shock phase – stressor is perceived consciously or unconsciously. Can energize or debilitate client.
-Fight or Flight lasting 1 minute to 24 hours.