According to Bowen's theoretical approach to therapy, which of the following should the nurse recognize as a concept of a functional family interaction pattern?

Choice A Reason:

Exercising when feeling tense is an effective stress management technique. Physical activity helps to reduce stress hormones like cortisol and increases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Exercise can also improve sleep, which is often disrupted by stress, and provide a distraction from anxious thoughts.

Choice B Reason:

Fixing a pot of coffee when feeling anxious is the least effective stress management technique. Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase anxiety levels, cause jitteriness, and disrupt sleep patterns. For individuals who are already feeling anxious, consuming caffeine can exacerbate their symptoms and make it harder to manage stress effectively.

Choice C Reason:

Praying when beginning to breathe fast is a beneficial stress management technique for many people. Prayer and other forms of spiritual practice can provide a sense of calm, reduce stress, and offer emotional support. It can also help individuals feel more connected and less isolated during stressful times.

Choice D Reason:

Journaling when finding it difficult to talk is an effective way to manage stress. Writing down thoughts and feelings can help individuals process their emotions, gain insights into their stressors, and find solutions to their problems. Journaling can also serve as a therapeutic outlet for expressing feelings that might be hard to verbalize.

Choice A reason:

Learned responses can be a predisposing factor for stress. Individuals may develop certain behaviors in response to stressful situations, and these behaviors can become conditioned responses that are triggered in similar future scenarios, potentially leading to stress.

Choice B reason:

Heredity can influence an individual's susceptibility to stress. Genetic factors can determine the sensitivity of one's stress response system, such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates the body's reaction to stress.

Choice C reason:

Existing conditions, particularly chronic health issues or mental health disorders, can predispose an individual to stress. These conditions can increase the overall burden on the body and mind, making it more difficult to cope with additional stressors.

Choice D reason:

A history of hypotension (low blood pressure) is not typically considered a predisposing factor for stress. While acute stress can temporarily affect blood pressure, a chronic condition like hypotension does not predispose one to experiencing stress.