Question

A nurse is assessing a patient with prolonged stress. Which conditions will the nurse monitor for in this patient? (Select all that apply.)

a. Cancer
b. Diabetes
c. Infections
d. Allostasis
e. Low blood pressure.

Answer 1

A nurse should monitor for infections, diabetes, increased blood pressure, and disruptions in allostasis in a patient with prolonged stress. Cancer is not a direct result of chronic stress.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse assessing a patient with prolonged stress should monitor for several conditions that are known to be affected by stress. Chronic stress can notably have an impact on the immune system, potentially leading to an increased frequency of infections. Stress can also lead to changes in blood glucose levels, which might contribute to diabetes. Additionally, stress can influence blood pressure, often resulting in increased blood pressure rather than low blood pressure. Lastly, the state of achieving stability through physiological change, or allostasis, is another aspect the nurse might monitor as it may be disrupted due to prolonged stress. On the other hand, while chronic stress has been linked to many health conditions, it is typically not considered a direct cause of cancer.