Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practice Questions Related

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When an individual's stress response is sustained over a long period of time, which physiological effect of the endocrine system should one anticipate?

  • A. Decreased resistance to disease
  • B. Increased libido
  • C. Decreased blood pressure
  • D. Increased inflammatory response
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: When stress is prolonged, the body reaches the stage of exhaustion in the general adaptation syndrome, where compensatory mechanisms fail, and diseases of adaptation may occur. One physiological effect includes a decreased immune response, leading to decreased resistance to disease. Therefore, the correct answer is A. Increased libido (choice B) is not a typical physiological effect related to prolonged stress. Decreased blood pressure (choice C) is not commonly associated with sustained stress. Increased inflammatory response (choice D) may occur in the short term due to stress, but over a prolonged period, the immune system's function weakens, leading to decreased resistance to disease.