The new mother experiences insomnia,irritability,and lack of appetite after several weeks in the neonatal care unit with her critically ill infant.Which stage of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) is the new mother experiencing?

A) Alarm
B) Resistance
C) Adaptation
D) Exhaustion

If the stressor remains and adaptation does not happen,the person enters the third stage of the GAS,exhaustion.The exhaustion stage occurs when the body is no longer able to resist the effects of the stressor and the struggle to maintain adaptation drains all available energy.During the alarm reaction,rising hormone levels result in increased blood volume,blood glucose levels,heart rate,blood flow to muscles,and mental alertness.During the resistance stage,the body stabilizes and responds in an opposite manner to the alarm reaction.In the adaptation stage,antiinflammatory adrenocortical hormones are released,and healing occurs.