Which set of signs commonly indicates an acute stress reaction?

• A. Tachycardia, tachypnea, hypertension, diaphoresis, tremors, dilated pupils, and GI upset
• B. Hypotension and bradycardia
• C. Lethargy and hypothermia
• D. Chest pain only

Answer: (B)

Acute stress reaction is driven by the body's fight-or-flight response, so sympathetic activation produces a cluster of autonomic arousal signs. This includes a faster heart rate (tachycardia), quicker breathing (tachypnea), higher blood pressure (hypertension), sweating (diaphoresis), tremors, dilated pupils, and GI upset. That full set best matches what the body looks like during an immediate stress reaction, making it the best choice. The other patterns don’t fit: hypotension with bradycardia points toward parasympathetic dominance or a different condition, lethargy with hypothermia suggests a more depressed or abnormal metabolic state, and chest pain alone isn’t enough to indicate the autonomic surge seen in acute stress.