Question

question 40

the high levels of anxiety associated with acute pain

select one
a. typically subside as pain decreases.
b. appears unrelated to the pain.
c. are alleviated with brief medical consultations.
d. increases with decreasing pain levels.

Explanation:

Define acute pain characteristics

Acute pain is temporary, serves a protective biological purpose, and is directly tied to tissue damage or injury. In Health Psychology, we study how emotional states interact with physical sensations.

Analyze anxiety in acute pain

Anxiety is a common psychological response to acute pain due to the immediate threat or harm. Because acute pain is transient and resolves as the underlying tissue heals, the associated anxiety typically subsides as the physical pain decreases.

Evaluate the options

• Option A: Correct. As the physical threat (pain) resolves, the emotional distress (anxiety) naturally decreases.
• Option B: Incorrect. Anxiety is highly correlated with and directly related to the experience of acute pain.
• Option C: Incorrect. While reassurance helps, brief consultations alone do not reliably alleviate the physiological anxiety of acute pain if the pain itself remains high.
• Option D: Incorrect. Anxiety decreases, rather than increases, as pain levels go down.

Answer:

• (A) typically subside as pain decreases. (Correct answer)
• (B) appears unrelated to the pain.
• (C) are alleviated with brief medical consultations.
• (D) increases with decreasing pain levels.