Emotional exhaustion is described as a key feature of burnout.

• A. Increased energy
• B. Improved memory
• C. Emotional exhaustion
• D. Higher salary

Answer: (C)

Burnout stems from chronic workplace stress and is most clearly signaled by emotional exhaustion—the draining, depleted feeling that makes it hard to muster emotional energy for work or others. This exhaustion is a core part of the burnout experience, often accompanied by depersonalization and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment. The reason this choice stands out is that it directly describes the exhausted emotional state nurses experience under persistent stress. The other options describe states that burnout does not involve—having more energy, having better memory, or earning more money are not associated with the burnout pattern and would run counter to the fatigue and disengagement typical of it.