Which statement about burnout and compassion fatigue is correct?

• A. Burnout results from personal trauma; compassion fatigue from job demands.
• B. Burnout is chronic workplace stress; compassion fatigue is the emotional toll from repeatedly caring for others' suffering.
• C. Compassion fatigue is a positive adaptation.
• D. Burnout and compassion fatigue refer to the same.

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is how burnout and compassion fatigue differ in origin and nature. Burnout comes from sustained workplace stressors—like a heavy workload, limited control, and insufficient support—that over time exhaust you, foster cynicism, and erode a sense of effectiveness. Compassion fatigue, on the other hand, is the emotional toll of repeatedly caring for others’ suffering; it’s a form of secondary traumatic stress that can blur boundaries and dampen empathy. So the statement that burnout is chronic workplace stress and compassion fatigue is the emotional toll from repeatedly caring for others' suffering correctly captures these distinct sources and experiences.

Think about why the other ideas aren’t correct: burnout isn’t primarily caused by personal trauma, and compassion fatigue isn’t simply about job demands alone; they aren’t the same thing, and compassion fatigue isn’t a positive adaptation.