Nokea
A person with a fear of closes spaces enters into an elevator. Which division of the autonomic nervous system is stimulated in response to this experience?
- A. Limbic system
- B. Peripheral nervous system
- C. Sympathetic nervous system
- D. Parasympathetic nervous system
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The autonomic nervous system is made up of the sympathetic (fight-or-flight response) and parasympathetic (relaxation response) nervous systems. In times of stress, the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated. A person fearful of heights would experience stress associated with the experience of driving across a high bridge. The peripheral nervous system responds to messages from the sympathetic nervous system. The limbic system processes emotional responses but is not specifically part of the autonomic nervous system.
You may also like to solve these questions
A veteran of military combat tells the nurse, 'I saw a child get blown up over a year ago, and now I keep seeing bits of flesh everywhere. I see something red and the visions race back to my mind.' Which phenomenon associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is this veteran describing?
- A. Re-experiencing
- B. Hyperarousal
- C. Avoidance
- D. Psychosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Spontaneous or cued recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic events are often associated with PTSD. The veteran has described intrusive thoughts and visions associated with re-experiencing the traumatic event. This description does not indicate psychosis, hypervigilance, or avoidance.
An individual has been diagnosed with a dissociative disorder. Which comorbid psychiatric disorders are most likely to accompany this type of mental illness? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Substance abuse disorders
- B. Depression
- C. Eating disorders
- D. Personality disorders
- E. Schizophrenia
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D
Rationale: Comorbid psychiatric disorders associated with dissociative disorders include: substance use disorders, depression and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, PTSD, and personality disorders. Schizophrenia is not associated with this type of disorder.
A family member asks the nurse, 'Do you think stress and physical illness are connected? Since my father's death, my mother has had shingles and the flu, but she's usually not one who gets sick.' Which answer by the nurse best reflects current knowledge about long term effects of stress?
- A. It is probably a coincidence. Emotions and physical responses travel on different tracts of the nervous system.'
- B. You may be paying more attention to your mother since your father died and noticing more things such as minor illnesses.'
- C. So far, research on emotions or stress and becoming ill more easily is unclear. We do not know for sure if there is a link.'
- D. Negative emotions and stress may interfere with the body's ability to protect itself and can increase the likelihood of infection.'
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer best explains the research. Research supports a link between negative emotions and/or prolonged stress and impaired immune system functioning. Activation of the immune system signals the central nervous system to initiate myriad responses to stress. Prolonged stress suppresses the immune system and lowers resistance to infections.
A nurse talks with the caregiver of a combat veteran diagnosed with severe traumatic brain injuries. The caregiver says, 'I don't know how much longer I can do it. My whole life is consumed with taking care of my partner.' Which response best addresses the needs of the caregiver?
- A. How are you taking care of yourself?'
- B. Let's review your partner's diagnostic results.'
- C. I have some web-based programs for you to visit.'
- D. Your partner is lucky to have someone so devoted.'
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The caregiver is the focus of the nurse's attention. The caregiver is suffering. The nurse must be empathetic and assess how the caregiver is caring for self. Reassurance and isolated computer activities do not help. The partner is already aware of the diagnostic results.
A soldier who served in a combat zone returned to the United States. The soldier's spouse complains to the nurse, 'We had planned to start a family, but now he won't talk about it. He won't even look at children.' The spouse is describing which symptom associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
- A. Re-experiencing
- B. Hyperarousal
- C. Avoidance
- D. Psychosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Physiological reactions to reminders of the event include a persistent avoidance of the stimuli associated with the trauma; the individual avoids talking about the event or avoids activities, people, or places that arouse memories of the trauma. Avoidance is exemplified by a sense of foreshortened future and estrangement. No evidence suggests that this soldier is having a hyperarousal reaction or is re-experiencing war-related traumas. Psychosis is not evident.