Final answer:
Constricted pupils are not a physiological symptom of a stress response; instead, pupils dilate to enhance visibility in a stressful situation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student asked which one of the following is not a physiological symptom of a stress response:
- Constricted pupils.
- Tachycardia (increased heart rate).
- Tachypnea (increased respiratory rate).
- Elevated blood pressure.
The correct answer is 'Constricted pupils'. During a stress response, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, leading to a variety of physiological changes as part of the body's "fight-or-flight" response. This response includes dilated pupils (not constricted), increased heart rate (tachycardia), increased breathing rate (tachypnea), and elevated blood pressure. These changes prepare the body to react to a perceived threat by enhancing visibility, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to essential organs, and improving blood flow for potential physical action.