Exam 9: Psychosocial Considerations

The 10-year-old brother of a terminally ill teenager tells the patient that he can't wait for him to come home because then the parents will pay some attention to him. The nurse realizes that the brother is experiencing:

The son of a terminally ill patient is asking his father where the deeds for the house and cars are located. The patient responds with "your sister knows." The son is visibly upset and continues to prod his father for the answer. Which of the following should the nurse do?

A patient tells the nurse that though her husband passed away two years ago, she has yet to return to living a normal life. Which of the following is this patient describing?

The wife of a chronically ill patient has stopped going to the hairdresser and tells the nurse that all she does is care for her husband. Which of the following should the nurse do to support the wife?

The family of a terminally ill patient tells the nurse that they are tired of being on "death watch" and want to know if they can take turns away from the patient but still be on hand when the end is near. Which of the following responses can the nurse give to this family?

A patient tells the nurse that since her husband died 6 months ago, she does not go out of the house much and spends most days in darkness and alone. The nurse realizes this patient is experiencing which phase of the mourning process?

A terminally ill 30-year-old male patient tells the nurse that he regrets that he will not be around to help his wife raise their two children. Which of the following is this patient demonstrating?

The family of a terminally ill patient is asking questions that the nurse has minimal experience responding to. Which of the following should the nurse do?

A terminally ill patient is being visited by his first wife and children. The second wife arrives with her children. The room is crowded and the patient is visibly conflicted with the situation. The wives do not acknowledge each other and the children are making faces across the room. Which of the following should the nurse do?

The wife of a patient who has just passed away tells the nurse that even though her husband has been ill for a long time, she just feels numb. The nurse realizes that the patient is experiencing which of the following stages of the mourning process?

A 6-year-old terminally ill patient tells the nurse that he is being punished for not wanting his new baby sister. The nurse realizes which of the following?

The primary nurse of a recently deceased hospice patient realizes that the widow will be celebrating her birthday in a week. Which of the following should the nurse do?

The primary nurse of a terminally ill patient who has died is in the room when the family arrives to view the patient. Which of the following should the nurse do?

The wife of a terminally ill patient tells the nurse that, no matter what she does, the patient complains and it drags down her mood. Which of the following can the nurse do to help this situation?

The family of a dying patient is talking with the patient while the nurse provides physical care. The nurse participates in the conversation and relates an event that occurred a few days prior that brought smiles and laughter from those present in the room. Which of the following is occurring with the nurse and family?

A nurse who experienced the death of her own husband is caring for a patient who is near death. She provides physical care to the patient and leaves the room. The wife is sitting at the bedside, holding the patient's hand. Which of the following is occurring with the nurse in this situation?

A terminally ill patient is asking questions about death and what it will be like. The nurse is not comfortable with the conversation but wants to support the patient. Which of the following should the nurse do?

The immediate family members of a dying patient are sitting in the patient's room, taking turns talking about an important event that they had shared with him. The patient is observed smiling and thanking each family member in turn. The nurse realizes that which of the following is occurring?

The nurse is preparing the body of a deceased patient to be seen by the family in the hospital. Which of the following should the nurse do?

The significant other of a patient dying with AIDS has been asked by the family to leave the patient's room. Which of the following should the nurse do to assist in this situation?