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Topic 1-3
Reaction to Stress and Hospitalization

The patient who is entering a hospital is under many emotional pressures. Fear of death, disfigurement, pain, or a prolonged illness, and loss of control of the surrounding environment are just a few of the emotional concerns being faced. People react to stress in many ways. The Practical Nurse must be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress and identify the coping mechanisms being utilized by the patient in order to provide effective nursing care.

After completing this lesson, you should be able to:

• Identify factors influencing whether a person seeks or avoids professional help.
• Identify factors causing stress in a hospital.
• Identify the stages of illness.
• Recognize common emotional reactions to illness and hospitalization .

Select a Lesson:

	Reasons a Person Seeks or Avoids Professional Help
	Stress Factors in the Hospital
	Stages of the Illness Experience
	Emotional Responses to Illness and Hospitalization

There are as many reactions to illness as there are patients. Your kindness and understanding will help your patient to go through the hospitalization experience with a minimum of stress and anxiety.

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