Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who has been experiencing chronic stress due to work-related issues. Which physiological change(s) should the nurse expect to observe? Select all that apply.
A. Increased heart rate
Chronic stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased heart rate. This is part of the "fight or flight" response, which prepares the body to respond to perceived threats.
B. Decreased blood pressure
Blood pressure typically increases during stress due to vasoconstriction and elevated cardiac output. Decreased blood pressure is not a common physiological response to chronic stress.
C. Enhanced immune response
Chronic stress suppresses the immune system rather than enhancing it. Prolonged exposure to stress hormones like cortisol can impair immune function, increasing susceptibility to illness.
D. Elevated blood glucose levels
Elevated blood glucose levels occur due to increased cortisol and adrenaline, which stimulate gluconeogenesis and reduce insulin sensitivity. This response is adaptive in acute stress but harmful when prolonged.
E. Decreased sex drive
Chronic stress can disrupt hormonal balance, including sex hormones, leading to decreased libido and sexual function. This is a well-documented effect of prolonged stress exposure.
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Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Chronic stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased heart rate. This is part of the "fight or flight" response, which prepares the body to respond to perceived threats.
Choice B reason: Blood pressure typically increases during stress due to vasoconstriction and elevated cardiac output. Decreased blood pressure is not a common physiological response to chronic stress.
Choice C reason: Chronic stress suppresses the immune system rather than enhancing it. Prolonged exposure to stress hormones like cortisol can impair immune function, increasing susceptibility to illness.
Choice D reason: Elevated blood glucose levels occur due to increased cortisol and adrenaline, which stimulate gluconeogenesis and reduce insulin sensitivity. This response is adaptive in acute stress but harmful when prolonged.
Choice E reason: Chronic stress can disrupt hormonal balance, including sex hormones, leading to decreased libido and sexual function. This is a well-documented effect of prolonged stress exposure.
Similar Questions
Which complementary therapy is often used to reduce stress and promote relaxation through touch?
A. Chiropractic therapy
Chiropractic therapy primarily focuses on the diagnosis and manual adjustment of musculoskeletal disorders, especially spinal alignment. While it may relieve pain and improve mobility, its primary mechanism is structural, not energetic or touch-based relaxation. It is not classified as a complementary therapy specifically aimed at stress reduction through gentle touch.
B. Therapeutic touch
Therapeutic touch is a complementary therapy that involves the practitioner using their hands to detect and manipulate the client’s energy field. It is specifically designed to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and support healing. The technique does not involve physical manipulation but rather uses touch or near-touch to balance energy flow, making it ideal for stress relief.
C. Herbal medicine
Herbal medicine involves the use of plant-based substances to treat or prevent illness. While some herbs may promote relaxation (e.g., chamomile, lavender), herbal medicine is not a touch-based therapy and therefore does not meet the criteria for this question.
D. Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body to balance energy flow. Although it can promote relaxation and reduce stress, it is not primarily based on touch and involves penetration of the skin, distinguishing it from therapies like therapeutic touch.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Chiropractic therapy primarily focuses on the diagnosis and manual adjustment of musculoskeletal disorders, especially spinal alignment. While it may relieve pain and improve mobility, its primary mechanism is structural, not energetic or touch-based relaxation. It is not classified as a complementary therapy specifically aimed at stress reduction through gentle touch.
Choice B reason: Therapeutic touch is a complementary therapy that involves the practitioner using their hands to detect and manipulate the client’s energy field. It is specifically designed to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and support healing. The technique does not involve physical manipulation but rather uses touch or near-touch to balance energy flow, making it ideal for stress relief.
Choice C reason: Herbal medicine involves the use of plant-based substances to treat or prevent illness. While some herbs may promote relaxation (e.g., chamomile, lavender), herbal medicine is not a touch-based therapy and therefore does not meet the criteria for this question.
Choice D reason: Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body to balance energy flow. Although it can promote relaxation and reduce stress, it is not primarily based on touch and involves penetration of the skin, distinguishing it from therapies like therapeutic touch.
A client was recently diagnosed with high cholesterol and decides to decline medication and to take garlic to lower cholesterol. This client is using which type of therapy?
A. Complementary therapy
Complementary therapy is used alongside conventional medical treatments. In this case, the client is declining prescribed medication, so the garlic use is not complementary—it is being used as a substitute.
B. Alternative therapy
Alternative therapy refers to using non-mainstream practices in place of conventional medicine. The client’s decision to use garlic instead of prescribed cholesterol-lowering medication fits this definition. Garlic has some lipid-lowering properties, but it is not a substitute for clinically indicated pharmacologic therapy.
C. Integrative therapy
Integrative therapy combines conventional and complementary approaches in a coordinated way. Since the client is not using both together, this does not apply.
D. Conventional therapy
Conventional therapy refers to standard medical treatment, such as prescribed medications. The client is choosing not to follow this route, so this option is incorrect.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Complementary therapy is used alongside conventional medical treatments. In this case, the client is declining prescribed medication, so the garlic use is not complementary—it is being used as a substitute.
Choice B reason: Alternative therapy refers to using non-mainstream practices in place of conventional medicine. The client’s decision to use garlic instead of prescribed cholesterol-lowering medication fits this definition. Garlic has some lipid-lowering properties, but it is not a substitute for clinically indicated pharmacologic therapy.
Choice C reason: Integrative therapy combines conventional and complementary approaches in a coordinated way. Since the client is not using both together, this does not apply.
Choice D reason: Conventional therapy refers to standard medical treatment, such as prescribed medications. The client is choosing not to follow this route, so this option is incorrect.
A client has recently experienced an increased amount of stress related to finances. The client begins taking a prescribed medication as well as attending a free yoga class in the park. This client is using which type of therapy?
A. Alternative therapy
Alternative therapy involves using non-mainstream practices instead of conventional medicine. Since the client is using both prescribed medication and yoga, this is not alternative therapy.
B. Complementary therapy
Complementary therapy refers to using non-mainstream practices alongside conventional treatment. In this case, the client is combining prescribed medication (conventional) with yoga (complementary), making this the correct classification.
C. Conventional therapy
Conventional therapy refers to standard medical treatment alone. The client is using more than just medication, so this does not apply.
D. Holistic therapy
Holistic therapy considers the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—but is not a formal classification of therapy type. While the client’s approach may be holistic in nature, the correct technical term for combining yoga with medication is complementary therapy.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Alternative therapy involves using non-mainstream practices instead of conventional medicine. Since the client is using both prescribed medication and yoga, this is not alternative therapy.
Choice B reason: Complementary therapy refers to using non-mainstream practices alongside conventional treatment. In this case, the client is combining prescribed medication (conventional) with yoga (complementary), making this the correct classification.
Choice C reason: Conventional therapy refers to standard medical treatment alone. The client is using more than just medication, so this does not apply.
Choice D reason: Holistic therapy considers the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—but is not a formal classification of therapy type. While the client’s approach may be holistic in nature, the correct technical term for combining yoga with medication is complementary therapy.