Which statement accurately describes the Exhaustion stage?

• A. It is the first stage of the GAS.
• B. It involves the body increasing metabolic resources to withstand stress.
• C. It is followed by a return to homeostasis.
• D. It involves significant resource depletion and impaired function after extended stress.

Answer: (D)

The Exhaustion stage reflects what happens when stress is prolonged and the body's resources become depleted, leading to impaired function. After the initial alarm response and the subsequent effort to cope (resistance), energy stores, hormones, and immune function are worn down. When these resources run low, performance drops, illness risk rises, and the system can break down if stress continues. That’s why describing significant resource depletion and impaired function after extended stress is the best match. The early stage is the initial alert reaction, not exhaustion; the resistance phase is about mobilizing resources to cope, not depletion; and exhaustion doesn’t typically mean a return to homeostasis, but rather a breakdown of the body's ability to maintain it.