Stress, Coping, and Sleep in Nursing Practice

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards reviewing stress, physiological and psychological coping mechanisms, workplace concerns in healthcare, sleep physiology, sleep architecture, and sleep disorders based on Chapters 37 and 43.

Stress

The body's physiological and psychological response to an actual threat to homeostasis.

Stressor

A physical, psychological, or social stimulus that may produce stress.

Appraisal

The process by which a person interprets a stressor and evaluates its impact.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

A three-stage physiological response to stress consisting of alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Alarm Stage (GAS)

The initial fight-or-flight stage of the general adaptation syndrome in which the body mobilizes its resources.

Resistance Stage (GAS)

The second stage of GAS where the body attempts to stabilize, adapt, and compensate in response to a stressor.

Exhaustion Stage (GAS)

The final stage of GAS occurring when continued stress depletes the body's resources and ability to adapt.

Coping

Cognitive and behavioral efforts used to manage internal or external demands and stressors.

Ego-Defense Mechanisms

Psychological processes (such as denial, conversion, and displacement) that temporarily reduce distress and protect a person from emotional pain.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A condition resulting from experiencing or witnessing trauma, characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, mood or sleep changes, and hypervigilance.

Secondary Traumatic Stress

Stress reactions secondary to witnessing or being exposed to others' traumatic experiences, particularly relevant in caring professions.

Developmental Crisis

A crisis associated with normal life transitions and developmental changes, such as aging, health changes, or empty nesting.

Situational Crisis

A crisis provoked by an unexpected personal event, such as the loss of a job or a family member.

Adventitious Crisis

A crisis triggered by extraordinary external events, such as natural disasters (e.g., a tornado) or acts of violence.

Neuman's Systems Model

A nursing model focused on assessing stressors and the patient's individual response to them.

Roy's Adaptation Model

A nursing model that emphasizes patient adaptation and responses to changing environments and stimuli.

Pender's Health Promotion Model

A nursing model focused on promoting well-being and assessing lifestyle factors that enhance health.

Compassion Fatigue

The cumulative emotional and physical strain experienced by healthcare providers from caring for individuals who are suffering, which includes burnout.

Burnout

A state of physical and emotional exhaustion that occurs when perceived work demands exceed available resources.

Second Victim Syndrome

The psychological distress experienced by a healthcare provider following an adverse patient event, progressing through stages including emotional distress, fear of repercussions, loss of confidence, inquisition, support/recovery, and moving on.

Process S (Sleep Pressure)

The homeostatic sleep drive that accumulates during prolonged wakefulness and dissipates during sleep.

Process C (Circadian Clock)

The internal 24-hour timing mechanism that regulates sleep-wake cycles, alertness, and sleep timing.

Stage N1 Sleep

The lightest stage of NREM sleep marking the transition from wakefulness to sleep, from which an individual is easily aroused.

Stage N2 Sleep

A light NREM sleep stage comprising the largest portion of total sleep time, characterized by decreased heart rate, decreased body temperature, and reduced responsiveness to external stimuli.

Stage N3 Sleep

Deep, slow-wave NREM sleep essential for physical restoration and tissue recovery, during which a person is difficult to awaken.

Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep

A sleep stage characterized by increased brain activity, dreaming, skeletal muscle atonia, and processing essential for memory consolidation and emotional regulation.

Insomnia

A sleep disorder marked by chronic difficulty falling asleep, frequent nighttime awakenings, short sleep duration, poor sleep hygiene, and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS).

Sleep Apnea

A disorder involving repeated cessation of airflow during sleep (obstructive or central), presenting with loud snoring, witnessed breathing pauses, choking/gasping, and morning headaches.

Narcolepsy

A central nervous system dysfunction of sleep-wake state regulation characterized by severe daytime sleepiness and cataplexy.

Cataplexy

A sudden, brief episode of muscle weakness or loss of muscle tone triggered by intense emotions, commonly seen in narcolepsy.

Restless Legs Syndrome

A neurological sensory disorder causing an irresistible, uncomfortable urge to move the legs, typically worsening in the evening or during periods of rest.

Parasomnias

Undesirable physical behaviors that occur during sleep, including somnambulism (sleepwalking), night terrors, nightmares, nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting), and bruxism (teeth grinding).

Epworth Sleepiness Scale

A validated screening questionnaire that evaluates a patient's likelihood of dozing off during everyday situations; it is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test.

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

A patient-reported assessment tool used to evaluate sleep quality, patterns, and disturbances over the previous 1-month period.

Sleep Diary

A self-reported log that tracks daily bedtimes, wake times, nap frequencies, nighttime symptoms, and external factors affecting sleep.

Z-Drugs

A class of non-benzodiazepine prescription hypnotic sleep medications that includes zolpidem and eszopiclone.