A nurse is caring for a client in the alarm stage of stress following a traumatic event. The nurse should know that which of the following physiological reactions will occur during this stage.

A. The alarm stage of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) is the body’s immediate response to stress. During this stage, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, leading to the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine from the adrenal medulla. This causes increased heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and blood glucose levels, preparing the body for a “fight-or-flight” response. B. Thyroxine (T4) is secreted by the thyroid gland and plays a role in long-term metabolic regulation. While metabolism may increase slightly during stress, the alarm stage primarily involves catecholamine release rather than increased thyroxine. Thyroxine is more associated with the resistance stage if stress persists. C. During the alarm stage, urinary output decreases due to the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. This helps conserve water and maintain blood volume during the acute stress response.