A female student is driving to school when another driver nearly hits her. Her heart begins beating hard and fast as she becomes scared and aroused. Which of the following stages of the general adaptation syndrome is she experiencing?
Exhaustion
Adaptation
Alarm stage
Stage of resistance
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A Reason:
The exhaustion stage is the final phase of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS). It occurs when the body has been exposed to stress for a prolonged period and can no longer maintain resistance. Symptoms of exhaustion include fatigue, burnout, depression, and decreased stress tolerance. Since the student is experiencing an immediate response to a sudden stressor, this stage does not apply.
Choice B Reason:
Adaptation is not a specific stage in the general adaptation syndrome. The correct stages are alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
Choice C Reason:
This is the correct answer. The alarm stage is the initial phase of the general adaptation syndrome, also known as the “fight-or-flight” response. During this stage, the body reacts to a stressor by activating the sympathetic nervous system, which leads to increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and heightened alertness. The student’s reaction to the near-miss accident fits this description perfectly.
Choice D Reason:
The stage of resistance is the second phase of the general adaptation syndrome. During this stage, the body attempts to adapt to the stressor and return to a state of balance. If the stressor persists, the body remains on high alert, but the initial shock of the alarm stage has passed. Since the student’s response is immediate and acute, it aligns with the alarm stage rather than the resistance stage.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
The prodromal stage refers to the period during which early symptoms of a disease appear but are not yet specific or severe. This stage is often associated with infectious diseases where initial symptoms like fever, malaise, and fatigue occur before more specific symptoms develop. In the context of HIV, the prodromal stage would not be applicable as it refers to the early symptomatic phase rather than a period without symptoms.
Choice B Reason:
Remission is a term used to describe a period during which the symptoms of a disease are reduced or disappear. This term is commonly used in the context of chronic diseases such as cancer or autoimmune disorders. For HIV, remission would imply a reduction in viral load and symptoms due to effective treatment, but it does not describe the asymptomatic phase following initial exposure.
Choice C Reason:
Exacerbation refers to the worsening or flare-up of symptoms in a chronic disease. This term is often used in conditions like asthma or multiple sclerosis where symptoms can become more severe periodically. In the context of HIV, exacerbation would describe periods where symptoms become more pronounced, not the asymptomatic phase after initial exposure.
Choice D Reason:
The latent stage, also known as the clinical latency stage or asymptomatic HIV infection, is the period after initial HIV exposure when the virus is present in the body but not causing any symptoms. During this stage, HIV continues to replicate at low levels, and the individual may not feel sick or show any signs of the disease. This stage can last for several years, especially with effective antiretroviral therapy.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A: Oncogene Activation
Oncogene activation refers to the process by which normal genes (proto-oncogenes) become oncogenes, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and potentially cancer. This process involves mutations or overexpression of genes that regulate cell proliferation and survival. While oncogene activation is a critical factor in cancer development, it is not directly related to hydropic swelling, which is a form of cellular injury characterized by the accumulation of water within cells.
Choice B: Sodium/Potassium Pump Dysfunction
Hydropic swelling, also known as cellular swelling, results from the malfunction of the sodium/potassium (Na+/K+) pump. This pump is essential for maintaining the ionic balance within cells by actively transporting sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell. When the Na+/K+ pump fails, sodium accumulates inside the cell, leading to an influx of water to balance the osmotic pressure. This results in cellular swelling, which is a hallmark of reversible cell injury.
Choice C: Membrane Rupture
Membrane rupture refers to the breaking of the cell membrane, which can lead to cell death and the release of cellular contents into the surrounding tissue. This process is typically associated with irreversible cell injury and necrosis. While membrane rupture can result from severe cellular damage, it is not the primary cause of hydropic swelling, which occurs due to ionic imbalances rather than physical disruption of the cell membrane.
Choice D: ATP Accumulation
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the primary energy currency of the cell, used to power various cellular processes. Accumulation of ATP within the cell is not typically associated with cellular swelling. In fact, a decrease in ATP levels, rather than an accumulation, is more likely to contribute to cellular injury. Reduced ATP levels can impair the function of the Na+/K+ pump, leading to ionic imbalances and subsequent hydropic swelling.
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