Deck 10: Loss, grief , dying, and Death

Question 1

The home health nurse makes a nursing diagnosis of unresolved grief for a patient who was widowed 5 months ago after:

A) seeing that the patient keeps a picture of the husband by her bed.
B) the patient said tearfully,"I can't believe he is gone."
C) assessing that the patient eats out frequently rather than cooking at home.
D) the patient says that she attends church three times a week.

Answer 1

the patient said tearfully,"I can't believe he is gone."

Question 2

The nurse spends a great deal of time in the room of a dying 12-year-old because the nurse knows that most children are aware of their condition and want the nurse to:

A) keep them clean.
B) help them eat.
C) care about them.
D) keep them comfortable.

Answer 2

care about them.

Question 3

When a nurse informs a patient's spouse that the patient has died,the spouse states,"You must be mistaken." According to Kübler-Ross's stages of dying theory,the spouse is demonstrating:

A) anger.
B) denial.
C) depression.
D) bargaining.

Answer 3

denial.

Question 4

Upon being told of her father's death,the daughter cries out,"No! Oh,God,no!" The nurse recognizes this behavior as an example of the grief stage of:

A) anger.
B) bargaining.
C) denial.
D) prayer.

Question 5

A young nurse caring for a dying patient hastens through the care and leaves the room as quickly as possible.The nurse is exhibiting a common reaction to the care of the dying,which is:

A) efficiency.
B) anger.
C) withdrawal.
D) anxiety.

Question 6

Before involving the family in care of the dying patient,the nurse should:

A) ask the patient if he wants family care.
B) ask family members if they want to assist with care.
C) check the hospital policy on the family giving care.
D) set a caring example.

Question 7

The nurse explains to the family of a terminally ill patient that the guidelines of managed care and the application of diagnosis-related groups (DRGs)as they relate to the terminally ill cause:

A) patients to spend less time in hospitals.
B) nurses to provide more care at home.
C) more patients to die at home.
D) patients to spend more time in long-term care facilities.

Question 8

The nurse recognizes that when a dying patient uses the call light frequently to ask the nurse to do many small tasks,the patient may be experiencing fear of:

A) increased pain.
B) failure.
C) abandonment.
D) isolation.

Question 9

The nurse evaluates whether the outcome of "Patient will independently participate in grief work activities" has been met.Which patient activity witnessed by the nurse shows that it has?

A) Reading the Bible
B) Planning a Caribbean cruise
C) Talking to the priest about his funeral service
D) Looking through an old photo album

Question 10

A nurse caring for the dying mother of a 7-year-old recognizes that the child:

A) associates death with aggression.
B) believes own death cannot be avoided.
C) lacks understanding of the concept of death.
D) understands death as the inevitable end of life.

Question 11

When the nurse is developing a care plan for a terminally ill patient,a realistic goal might be that the patient will:

A) remain pain-free.
B) function optimally.
C) spend time out of bed.
D) demonstrate improved nutritional status.

Question 12

A perceived loss differs from an actual loss because it is:

A) more quickly resolved.
B) situational.
C) easily overlooked.
D) a superficial response.

Question 13

A patient whose spouse died 1 year earlier complains of feeling overwhelmingly lonely and has withdrawn from interpersonal interactions.The patient is demonstrating what stage of dying according to Kübler-Ross's stages of dying theory?

A) Anger
B) Denial
C) Depression
D) Bargaining

Question 14

After a physician in the emergency department has pronounced a 2-year-old dead following a swimming pool accident,the mother tearfully says to the father,"I am so sorry.I am so sorry." The nurse recognizes that the mother is expressing:

A) fear.
B) guilt.
C) hostility.
D) grief.

Question 15

The nurse explains that termination of tube feedings to a dying patient is a form of:

A) euthanasia.
B) holistic care.
C) passive euthanasia.
D) terminal care.

Question 16

The final stage of human growth and development is:

A) integrity.
B) death.
C) despair.
D) resolution.

Question 17

The home health nurse assesses that the goal of grief resolution has been accomplished when the nurse observes that a widow performs which activities? (Select all that apply.)

A) Adjusted to an environment without the spouse
B) Put financial affairs in order
C) Made plans for a lengthy trip
D) Sought new relationships
E) Acquired a job

Question 18

Before approaching a grieving family member,the nurse should:

A) offer sympathy.
B) assess level of resolution.
C) give assurance that the pain will pass.
D) encourage return to normal activities.

Question 19

Following the death of a day-old infant,the nurse brings the baby to the parents to:

A) bond with the family.
B) reinforce the individuality of the baby.
C) generate preparation for another child.
D) make the death a reality.

Question 20

When instructing a patient about a durable power of attorney,the nurse explains that in case the patient becomes incapacitated,this document:

A) directs treatment in accordance with the patient's wishes.
B) directs an agent to make health care decisions.
C) gives power to an agent to make decisions regarding health,property,and other assets.
D) can only be executed by an attorney.

Question 21

Which of the five aspects of human functioning must a nurse address when dealing with a grieving person? (Select all that apply.)

A) Physical
B) Emotional
C) Intellectual
D) Sociocultural
E) Spiritual

Question 22

The nurse explains to a grieving husband that the process of the resolution of the hurt and the reestablishment of his life is called the __________ ___________.

Question 23

The head nurse of a pediatric cancer unit advises a young nurse to sit quietly before going home and set her work day aside.This is an example of a __________ exercise.