In nurse burnout, which symptom is most central?

• A. Emotional exhaustion
• B. Depersonalization
• C. Reduced personal accomplishment
• D. Sleep disturbances

Answer: (A)

Emotional exhaustion is the central feature of nurse burnout. It represents the depletion of emotional energy and resources after prolonged exposure to demanding caregiving roles. This dimension is most strongly linked to the overall experience of burnout and often appears first as workloads and emotional demands exceed what a nurse can sustain. When emotional exhaustion is present, it commonly leads to the other two components—depersonalization, where interactions with patients become distant or cynical, and reduced personal accomplishment, where one feels less effective or less able to achieve meaningful outcomes. Sleep disturbances can occur with burnout but aren’t the defining element; they tend to be a consequence of chronic stress rather than the core factor of burnout itself. Addressing emotional exhaustion through manageable workloads, supportive supervision, and adequate recovery is key to preventing progression to depersonalization and reduced efficacy.