A patient who had been complaining of intolerable stress at work has demonstrated the ability to use progressive muscle relaxation and deep breathing techniques. He will return to the clinic for follow-up evaluation in 2 weeks
Which data will best suggest that the patient is successfully using these techniques to cope more effectively with stress? a. The patient's wife reports that he spends more time sitting quietly at home.
b. He reports that his appetite, mood, and energy levels are all good.
c. His systolic blood pressure has gone from the 140s to the 120s (mm Hg).
d. He reports that he feels better and that things are not bothering him as much.
C
Objective measures tend to be the most reliable means of gauging progress. In this case, the patient's elevated blood pressure, an indication of the body's physiological response to stress, has diminished. The wife's observations regarding his activity level are subjective, and his sitting quietly could reflect his having given up rather than improved. Appetite, mood, and energy levels are also subjective reports that do not necessarily reflect physiological changes from stress and may not reflect improved coping with stress. The patient's report that he feels better and is not bothered as much by his circumstances could also reflect resignation rather than improvement.
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