Stress and coping

What is ‘caring’ in the context of nursing practice?

Directed towards meeting the needs of a person and working with unmet needs. It approaches care holistically.

What is nursing intervention?

Any treatment that a nurse performs for a patient based on clinical judgement and nursing knowledge with the goal of enhancing patient outcomes.

What are the types of nursing interventions?

Nurse-initiated intervention - medical interventions that a nurse performs by their own volition in accordance with clinical judgement and training

Direct care - interventions with the patient directly that includes physiological and psychological care

Indirect care - treatment performed away from the patient on behalf of the patient

Community care - promoting and preserving the health and well-being of populations

From the bottom of the pyramid to the top, what are the needs based on Maslow’s hierarchy?

Physiological → Safety and security → Love and belonging → Self esteem → Self actualization

Which of Maslow’s needs are required for basic life functioning?

Physiological needs: food, water, heat, shelter, oxygen, rest, sexuality, physical activity

What are defense mechanisms?

Unconscious reactions to stressors to protect a person’s self-esteem. Examples includes repression, denial, projection, rationalization

What is reaction formation?

When a person unconsciously develops attitudes and behaviors that is the opposite of what they believe to be apprehensible

Example: A person who feels anger or hostility toward someone acts overly kind and polite to them. The opposite could also be true

What is sublimation?

Channeling unacceptable impules/feelings into socially acceptable actions

Example: Going to the gym to stave off feelings of anger or rage

What is regression?

Negative outcomes in the face of being ill or having an issue/change

Example:

• Someone under pressure starts comfort eating or seeking constant reassurance

• A potty trained toddler starts bed wetting once their sibling is born

What is a Somatic disorder?

illness caused by psychological influences

What is avoidance coping?

Doing things (often negative) to escape or deny stressful situations/thoughts, i.e. drinking alcohol, smoking, etc.

What is disrupted coping?

One’s inability to assess their own stressors and take appropriate action that they otherwise would normally be able to

What are the three levels of prevention?

Primary - preventing a disease before it occurs; preventing exposure to things that would cause disease. Example: immunizations, changing unhealthy behavior

Secondary: Identifying a disease early and providing prompt treatment. Ex.: Blood pressure screenings, mammograms, colonoscopies

Tertiary: Reducing complications of an established disease or problem from getting worse. Ex.: Physical therapy after a stroke, pain management in cancer, etc.