According to Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome, during which stage is a person especially vulnerable to illness?

• A. Exhaustion stage
• B. Recovery stage
• C. Alarm stage
• D. Resistance stage

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) describes the body's short-term and long-term reactions to stress in three main stages: Alarm, Resistance, and Exhaustion.
2. Identify the characteristics of each stage: the Alarm stage is the initial reaction to stress, the Resistance stage is when the body attempts to adapt to the stressor, and the Exhaustion stage occurs when the body's resources are depleted after prolonged stress.
3. Recognize that vulnerability to illness increases when the body's ability to cope is overwhelmed, which happens in the Exhaustion stage due to depleted resources and weakened immune function.
4. Conclude that the stage during which a person is especially vulnerable to illness is the Exhaustion stage, as the body can no longer maintain normal function under stress.
5. Review the other options (Recovery stage, Alarm stage, Resistance stage) and understand why they are less associated with vulnerability to illness compared to the Exhaustion stage.