Which of the following is a consequence of not addressing stress in care and may lead to poor coping?

• A. Improved resilience
• B. Maladaptive coping strategies
• C. No change in coping
• D. Immediate wellness

Answer: (B)

When stress in care isn’t addressed, people tend to fall into coping patterns that are ineffective or harmful over time. These maladaptive coping strategies—such as avoidance, denial, withdrawal from others, or turning to substances—may provide temporary relief, but they don’t resolve the underlying stress and often make things worse. They can disrupt self-care, reduce adherence to care plans, increase emotional distress, and create a cycle of greater strain and poorer functioning.

That’s why the best answer reflects the idea that unaddressed stress leads to maladaptive coping. In contrast, avoiding stress altogether would be unrealistic, and improved resilience or immediate wellness would more likely come from effectively managing and reducing stress, not from ignoring it. No change in coping would imply no effect, which isn’t consistent with the idea that unaddressed stress changes how people cope.