Chapter 6: Individual and Family Homeostasis, Stress, and Adaptation - Nurselytic

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Ineffective individual coping is the inability to assess our own stressors and then make choices to access appropriate resources. In this case, the patient was unable to access health care even when she was aware the disorder could be life-threatening. Self-esteem Disturbance, Altered Family Process, and Ineffective Denial are all nursing diagnoses that are often associated with breast cancer, but the patients ineffective individual coping has created a significant safety risk and is, therefore, the most appropriate nursing diagnosis.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Guided imagery is the mindful use of a word, phrase, or visual image to distract oneself from distressing situations or consciously taking time to relax or reenergize. Guided imagery does not involve muscle relaxation, positive self-image, or humor.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: An initial response to stress, as seen by the fight-or-flight response, is an increase in the patients heart rate and blood pressure. Vasoconstriction leads to the increase in blood pressure. Blood glucose levels increase, supplying more readily available energy, and pupils dilate.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary response to stress, the sympathetic nervous system stimulates the adrenal gland to release epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Stress management is directed toward reducing and controlling stress and improving coping. The outcome for this diagnosis is that the patient needs to adopt coping mechanisms that are effective for dealing with stress, such as relaxation techniques. The other options are incorrect because it is unrealistic to expect a patient to be stress free; avoiding stressful situations and starting an antianxiety agent are not the best answers as outcomes for ineffective coping.