A short-term mild level of stress that acts as a positive stress ...

[Diane]

A short-term mild level of stress that acts as a positive stress response with protective and adaptive functions and is perceived as being within the person's ability to manage is known as
 
  a. stress.
  b. eustress.
  c. stressor.
  d. distress.

Question 2

The nurse is conducting a family assessment in which alcoholism by the parents is suspected. When assessing the children within this family for symptoms of stress, the nurse recognizes that
 
  a. the children will most likely verbalize their feelings about the stressor.
  b. the children will demonstrate the ability to sort out the meaning of the illness.
  c. signs of distress can include academic decline, gastric distress, and headaches.
  d. physical complaints by the children can only be related to a physiological etiology.

[connor417]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Hans Selye used the term eustress to describe a short-term mild level of stress. It acts as a positive stress response with protective and adaptive functions and is perceived as being within the person's ability to manage. Stress represents a natural physiologic, psychological, and spiritual response to the presence of a stressor. A stressor is defined as a demand, situation, internal stimulus, or circumstance that threatens a person's personal security or self-integrity. Distress is defined as a negative stress that causes a higher level of anxiety and is perceived as exceeding the person's coping abilities. It is experienced as being unpleasant and diminishes performance.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Signs of distress such as academic decline, gastric distress, and headaches can alert the nurse to unvoiced stress. Children express stress through behavior. Health disruptions create special problems for children because they lack the words and life experience to sort out the meaning of illness, either their own or that of a significant family member.