Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Individual and Family Homeostasis, Stress, and Adaptation Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Individual and Family Homeostasis, Stress, and Adaptation related questions and content

Which of the following is an immediate physiologic response to stress the nurse would expect this patient to experience?

  • A. Vasodilation of peripheral blood vessels
  • B. Increased blood pressure
  • C. Decrease in blood glucose levels
  • D. Pupil constriction
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.