The hospitalized client asks, 'I need to know when I'm going to be discharged... I'm missing work.' The nurse knows this is an example of which type of stress?

The hospitalized client asks, 'I need to know when I'm going to be discharged... I'm missing work.' The nurse knows this is an example of which type of stress?

• A. Eustress
• B. Psychological stress and antidepressants
• C. Developmental stress
• D. Distress

Answer: (D)

When people face illness or hospitalization, stress can be positive and motivating or negative and overwhelming. In this scenario, the patient is worried about when they’ll be discharged and the impact of missing work. That concern signals a negative, real-world pressure that already affects functioning and coping. This is distress—a negative stress response that challenges the person’s ability to cope with illness, finances, and responsibilities. Developmental stress would involve challenges tied to a life stage, not specifically tied to illness and work concerns. The option referring to psychological stress and antidepressants isn’t a type of stress itself, but a treatment context, so it doesn’t fit as the classification. Distress best captures the patient’s reaction here. Addressing it with clear discharge information and social work support can help reduce the negative impact by easing practical worries and providing coping resources.

When people face illness or hospitalization, stress can be positive and motivating or negative and overwhelming. In this scenario, the patient is worried about when they’ll be discharged and the impact of missing work. That concern signals a negative, real-world pressure that already affects functioning and coping. This is distress—a negative stress response that challenges the person’s ability to cope with illness, finances, and responsibilities. Developmental stress would involve challenges tied to a life stage, not specifically tied to illness and work concerns. The option referring to psychological stress and antidepressants isn’t a type of stress itself, but a treatment context, so it doesn’t fit as the classification. Distress best captures the patient’s reaction here. Addressing it with clear discharge information and social work support can help reduce the negative impact by easing practical worries and providing coping resources.