The outcome that will not be a result of the stress response is: breathing slows down / becomes deeper and calmer rather than quicker and more shallow.

How the stress response actually affects the body

In a typical fight‑or‑flight stress response, the body shows changes such as:

  • Heart rate increases to pump more blood to muscles.
  • Breathing quickens and becomes more shallow to bring in more oxygen fast.
  • Blood glucose becomes more readily available as energy fuel.
  • Blood flow is redirected away from digestion toward muscles and vital organs for immediate action.
  • Muscle tension and readiness for action increase.

These are all normal outcomes of the acute stress response.

So which one is not an outcome?

Any option that describes the body going into a rest‑and‑digest state (calm, slow breathing, reduced heart rate, increased digestion, deep relaxation) would not be a result of the stress response, because those changes are controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system, which does the opposite of fight‑or‑flight.

So, if your choices looked something like:

  • a. Breathing quickens.
  • b. Glucose is readily available as energy.
  • c. Heart rate increases.
  • d. Breathing slows and deepens, promoting relaxation.

Then d (“breathing slows and deepens, promoting relaxation”) is the one that will not be a result of the stress response.