A nurse is assessing an older adult patient who is experiencing age-related changes.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A rationale
Chronic stress is a prolonged, often overwhelming feeling of stress that can negatively impact a person’s daily life. It can be caused by various factors, including high-pressure jobs, challenging relationships, and living in poverty. Living in poverty is a long-term situation that can cause chronic stress due to the constant worry about meeting basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare. This continuous worry and fear can lead to chronic stress.
Choice B rationale
A motor vehicle accident is typically an acute stress event. While it can cause significant stress at the moment, it is usually not a long-term stressor unless it results in severe injury or trauma that significantly impacts a person’s daily life.
Choice C rationale
Being a victim of a crime can indeed cause stress, but it is typically considered an acute stress event. However, if the crime results in long-term effects such as physical harm or psychological trauma, it could potentially lead to chronic stress.
Choice D rationale
The loss of a loved one can cause both acute and chronic stress. The initial loss can cause acute stress, and the subsequent grieving process can lead to chronic stress, especially if the individual has difficulty moving through the stages of grief. However, not everyone who loses a loved one will experience chronic stress.

Choice A rationale
Fairness refers to treating all people equally and making decisions without favoritism or prejudice. This is not the most fitting answer because the scenario does not provide information about the nurse treating all patients equally.
Choice B rationale
Confidence in nursing involves trust in one’s abilities and clinical judgment. Although confidence is important in all nursing actions, this scenario does not specifically highlight the nurse’s confidence.

Choice C rationale
Advocacy in nursing refers to the nurse’s role in standing up for the rights and needs of their patient. While notifying the provider could be seen as a form of advocacy, the nurse’s actions in this scenario are more closely aligned with accountability.
Choice D rationale
Accountability in nursing refers to the responsibility of nurses to execute their duties according to standards, being answerable for their actions. In this scenario, the nurse demonstrates accountability by acknowledging the medication error, assessing the patient for any adverse effects, and reporting the incident.