BCIA Certification Practice Exam 2025 – Your Complete Test Preparation

Decreased perspiration is not typically associated with acute stress, making it the correct choice. When an individual experiences acute stress, the body often activates the "fight or flight" response controlled by the autonomic nervous system. This response typically leads to a series of physiological changes, including increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and increased respiratory rate. These changes prepare the body to respond to a perceived threat, increasing circulation and oxygen delivery to muscles and vital organs.

In contrast, the body tends to increase perspiration (sweating) during acute stress as a mechanism to regulate body temperature and to prepare for potential physical exertion. This process is mediated by the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system, which initiates a sweat response as part of the overall fight or flight reaction. Therefore, decreased perspiration does not align with the physiological changes that occur during acute stress.