North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

In terms of stress, what is the final phase of the General Adaptation Syndrome?

1. Alarm response

2. Recovery or exhaustion

3. Reaction and resistance

4. Normal state

The correct answer is: Recovery or exhaustion

The final phase of the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is the recovery or exhaustion phase. This theory, developed by Hans Selye, describes the body's response to stress in three stages: the alarm response, the resistance phase, and finally, recovery or exhaustion. During the exhaustion phase, if the stressor persists and the body has been unable to adapt effectively or recover, the resources of the body become depleted. This can lead to a variety of physical and mental health issues, as the body's ability to cope diminishes. This phase represents a critical turning point where ongoing stress without adequate recovery can result in negative outcomes such as illness or burnout. The other phases serve different purposes: the alarm response is the initial reaction to a stressor, activating the body's fight or flight response, and the resistance phase involves the adaptation to the stress. The normal state isn't a phase in the GAS model but rather a state where the body is not under significant stress. Understanding these phases is crucial for recognizing how stress can impact health and the importance of managing stress effectively.