Reaction to stress that occurs during a stressful situation is called?

• A. Acute stress reaction
• B. Cumulative stress reaction
• C. Delayed stress reaction
• D. Medical control

Answer: (A)

Acute stress reaction is the body’s immediate response to a frightening or demanding situation. When stress is happening, the fight-or-flight system kicks in, releasing adrenaline and other hormones that heighten awareness, speed up the heart and breathing, tensing muscles, and sharpening focus so you can respond right away. This is exactly the scenario described—a reaction that occurs during the stressful event. The other terms refer to different timing: cumulative stress reaction builds up over repeated exposures and leads to longer-term fatigue or burnout; delayed stress reaction shows up after the event, with symptoms that may appear days to weeks later; medical control isn’t a stress reaction at all, but the physician or supervisor giving orders.