STRESS MANAGEMENT CARE PLAN

Scenario: Student Experiencing Academic Stress Affecting Health

Group Members

Arienza, Lance

Montero, Keith Martin

Rivas, Ray Matthew

Villarica, Shawn Dave

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Understanding the Problem

ABOUT

Academic stress occurs when academic demands exceed a student's coping ability, which may negatively affect both physical and mental health. It is one of the most common stressors among college students globally.

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Cognitive Impact

Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, racing thoughts, and impaired decision-making.

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Physical Symptoms

Headaches, fatigue, disrupted sleep patterns, and weakened immune response.

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Emotional Effects

Anxiety, irritability, feelings of helplessness, and social withdrawal.

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Patient Profile

CASE
SCENARIO

A 19-year-old nursing student reports feeling overwhelmed due to multiple exams and academic requirements. Complains of frequent headaches, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

Headaches

Insomnia

Fatigue

Overwhelmed

Clinical Findings

ASSESSMENT

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Patient-Reported

Subjective Data

Reports feeling overwhelmed due to workload

Complains of difficulty sleeping

Reports frequent tension headaches

Stress Severity IndexModerate–High

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Clinician-Observed

Objective Data

Appears visibly fatigued (dark circles)

Difficulty concentrating during discussion

Observable muscle tension in neck/shoulders

Functional ImpactModerate

Nursing Diagnosis

🚩 NANDA-I Approved Diagnosis

"Ineffective Coping related to situational crisis (academic pressure) as evidenced by chronic fatigue, tension headaches, and expressed feelings of being overwhelmed."

Short-Term Goals

Within 48 hours, patient will identify 2 effective stress-reduction techniques.
Patient will report improved sleep duration (6+ hours) within 3 days.
Patient will report a decrease in headache frequency within 1 week.

Long-Term Goals

By the end of the semester, patient will maintain a balanced study schedule.
Patient will demonstrate successful utilization of campus support resources.
Patient will consistently manage stress without physical symptom manifestation.

Action Plan

NURSING INTERVENTIONS

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Assess Coping

Evaluate current stress triggers and ineffective coping habits.

Rationale: Establishing a baseline helps tailor specific stress management strategies.

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Sleep Hygiene

Educate on avoiding screens 1 hour before bed and setting routines.

Rationale: Proper rest is physiological fuel for cognitive function and stress recovery.

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Relaxation Tech

Teach deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation.

Rationale: Activates the parasympathetic nervous system, directly countering anxiety.

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Time Management

Assist in creating a realistic, block-based study schedule with breaks.

Rationale: Reduces feelings of being overwhelmed by breaking tasks into manageable pieces.

Outcomes

Evaluation & Conclusion

Expected Outcome Indicator

Patient correctly demonstrates deep breathing techniques and successfully drafts a weekly study schedule incorporating 8 hours of rest per night.

GOALS MET

Early Identification

Recognize physical stress symptoms early—headaches and insomnia are warning signs.

Proactive Coping

Implement evidence-based techniques rather than reactive cramming.

Holistic Support

Combine lifestyle modifications (sleep/diet) with academic support systems.

Presented by Arienza, Montero, Rivas & Villarica