The signs of cognitive (mental) stress include all of the following except:

• A. Memory problems
• B. Increased heart rate
• C. Difficulty concentrating
• D. Racing thoughts

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of cognitive (mental) stress. Cognitive stress refers to the mental strain or pressure that affects how a person thinks, processes information, and focuses attention.
2. Step 2: Identify common signs of cognitive stress. These typically include symptoms related to mental functions such as memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and racing thoughts, as these directly affect cognitive processes.
3. Step 3: Recognize that increased heart rate is a physiological sign rather than a cognitive one. It relates to the body's physical response to stress, controlled by the autonomic nervous system, not the mental or cognitive domain.
4. Step 4: Compare each option to determine which does not fit under cognitive signs. Since memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and racing thoughts are all cognitive symptoms, increased heart rate stands out as a non-cognitive symptom.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is the option that is not a cognitive sign of stress, which is increased heart rate, as it is a physical or physiological sign.