The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) model explains?

DSSSB -28 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Applied Psychology

Easy

Appeared in: DSSSB -28 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), developed by Hans Selye, is a foundational model that describes the predictable physiological way the body responds to any stressor, whether physical or psychological.
It is not a model about the causes of stress (stressors) but rather the universal pattern of the body's reaction to them.
The model consists of three distinct stages: the Alarm stage, the Resistance stage, and the Exhaustion stage, which together describe the full course of a person's response to prolonged stress.

Option A: This refers to the process of handling disputes and disagreements between people. It is a psychosocial skill, not a physiological model of stress response.
Option B: While adaptation is a key part of the GAS, it specifically relates to the Resistance stage, where the body tries to cope with the stressor. The GAS model as a whole is more comprehensive than just the process of adaptation.
Option C: GAS explains the body's response to stress, not the stressors (causes) themselves. Stressors are the external or internal stimuli that trigger the stress response.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses use the GAS model to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress in patients at each stage, from the initial 'fight-or-flight' response (e.g., tachycardia, hypertension) to the signs of chronic exhaustion (e.g., fatigue, recurrent infections).
Understanding that prolonged stress (the resistance stage) can lead to exhaustion helps nurses prioritize stress-reduction interventions like relaxation techniques, patient education, and ensuring adequate rest to prevent complications.
What if? If a patient shows signs of being in the exhaustion stage (e.g., chronic fatigue, frequent infections, anxiety), the nurse's priority shifts from simple coping strategies to interventions aimed at preventing severe physiological breakdown, such as collaborating with the medical team to manage chronic conditions and referring for mental health support.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept in the question: 'General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) model'.
This is a factual recall question. Access your knowledge about this specific theory.
Recall that GAS was developed by Hans Selye to describe the universal pattern of how the body reacts to stress.
Evaluate each option against this core definition.
Eliminate 'Causes of stress' because GAS is about the response. Eliminate 'Conflict management' as it's an unrelated psychosocial process.
Recognize that 'Adaptation' is only one part (the second stage) of the three-stage model, making 'Person's response to stress' the most complete and accurate description of the entire syndrome.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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