Which one is NOT the health concerns linked to stress?

Appeared in: UPPSC 2022

Explanation

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by a specific pathogen, the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Unlike the other options, the primary cause of TB is exposure to this bacterium, not the body's physiological response to stress.
While chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making an individual more susceptible to infections, it is an indirect factor and not the direct cause of the disease itself.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option A: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is strongly linked to stress. The gut-brain axis is a well-established connection where psychological stress directly affects gut function, motility, and sensitivity, often triggering or worsening IBS symptoms.
Option B: Depression is a major health concern linked to chronic stress. Prolonged stress disrupts the balance of neurotransmitters (like serotonin) and elevates stress hormones (like cortisol), which are key factors in the development of depressive disorders.
Option C: Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a classic cardiovascular condition linked to stress. The body's 'fight-or-flight' response to stress releases hormones that increase heart rate and constrict blood vessels, leading to elevated blood pressure.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Stress-Related Health Conditions as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in assessing patients' stress levels and providing education on stress management techniques as part of a holistic care plan.
Understanding the link between stress and chronic diseases like hypertension and IBS helps nurses to better manage patient symptoms and improve outcomes.
Recognizing that stress can weaken immunity is important for infection control, especially in vulnerable patient populations.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keyword 'NOT' in the question. This indicates you are looking for the option that does not fit the category.
The category is 'health concerns linked to stress'.
Evaluate each option's relationship with stress.
Consider the primary cause of each condition. Is it a physiological response to stress, or is there another primary cause?
Irritable bowel syndrome, depression, and hypertension are all conditions where stress is a major trigger or causative factor.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium. This makes it the outlier, as its primary cause is a pathogen, not stress itself.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Stress-Related Health Conditions
Stem keywords: health concerns, stress
Lead-in keywords: NOT
Negative lead-in flag: The question uses the negative keyword 'NOT', asking for the exception among the options.

Question ID

QGd3RuFs58hh4EpyaBy5ok

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 7801-7803

E6 Physiology Guyton 4SAE Part 2A p. 152-154

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