What is a nursing diagnosis commonly used for stress and adaptation?

• A. Acute pain.
• B. Acute stress reaction, ineffective coping, chronic stress, or anxiety related to stress.
• C. Risk for infection.
• D. Imbalanced nutrition.

Answer: (B)

Nursing diagnoses for stress and adaptation focus on how a patient responds to stress and how well they cope. The best choice lists several nursing diagnoses that directly capture the body's and mind's reactions to stress and the person’s coping ability: acute stress reaction, ineffective coping, chronic stress, and anxiety related to stress. These terms are used to describe both the immediacy of the stress (acute) and its longer-term effects (chronic), as well as whether the patient’s coping mechanisms are working. This approach guides care toward reducing stress, supporting adaptation, and improving coping strategies through targeted interventions like emotional support, relaxation techniques, problem-solving assistance, and education.

Acute pain, while it can accompany stress, is a symptom rather than a nursing diagnosis addressing the stress response and coping. Risk for infection and imbalanced nutrition describe vulnerabilities or nutritional/physiologic concerns, not the specific patient’s adaptation to stress.