What action is an example of secondary prevention?

Choice A rationale

While questionnaires are used in stress research, Selye's primary contribution was not creating a specific questionnaire. His work was foundational in defining the physiological response to stress itself, regardless of the individual's perception. His model, the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), describes the body's non-specific physiological response to any stressor, detailing a three-stage process that is a fundamental concept in the study of stress.

Choice B rationale

The development of scales to measure stressful life events is a significant area of stress research, often attributed to other researchers like Holmes and Rahe with their Social Readjustment Rating Scale. Selye's contribution was a physiological model of stress response rather than a psychological one focused on individual perceptions. The GAS describes an involuntary, biological response to any stressor, not an individual's subjective rating of it.

Choice C rationale

Dr. Hans Selye's groundbreaking work described the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), a three-stage physiological response to stress. The stages are alarm reaction (the initial "fight-or-flight" response), resistance (where the body attempts to cope with the stressor), and exhaustion (where the body's resources are depleted, leading to potential illness or death). This model is a cornerstone of modern stress theory.

Choice D rationale

Selye's resistance stage describes the body's attempt to adapt to the stressor and return to homeostasis. It is a period of sustained effort to cope, not the use of psychological defense mechanisms. While defense mechanisms are a psychological response to stress, Selye's model is a physiological one. The exhaustion stage follows when the body's resources for resistance are depleted, not when defense mechanisms are used.

Choice A rationale

Noncompliance with medication at home, while a concern, does not necessarily warrant hospitalization on its own unless it leads to a clear and present danger to self or others. The standard of care often involves less restrictive interventions, such as outpatient care, medication management support, or case management, to address noncompliance before resorting to inpatient treatment.

Choice B rationale

Hospitalization for mental illness is generally reserved for clients who pose a clear and present danger to themselves or others. This is due to the principle of least restrictive environment, which mandates that individuals be treated in the least restrictive setting possible. When an individual's behavior escalates to the point of imminent harm, inpatient care is necessary to ensure safety.

Choice C rationale

Limited support systems in the community can increase the risk of relapse and poor outcomes, but it is not a primary criterion for psychiatric hospitalization. Community-based services, such as assertive community treatment (ACT) teams, case managers, or partial hospitalization programs, are typically employed to address inadequate support without the need for inpatient admission.

Choice D rationale

The development of new symptoms during the course of an illness, unless they signify an immediate risk of harm, is usually managed in an outpatient setting. A healthcare provider would likely adjust the treatment plan, such as changing medication or therapy, and monitor the client's response. Hospitalization is not the initial or default response for symptom fluctuation.