Deck 14: Death and Dying

Question 1

Basic human needs are a priority for the dying person. What is the highest priority for nursing care at this time?

A) Emotional needs
B) Physical needs
C) Spiritual needs
D) Social needs

Answer 1

Physical needs

Question 2

A client with a terminal illness is in the acceptance stage of dying. The family is worried that the client is devoid of all feelings and has given up everything associated with life.
How can the nurse explain the client's behavior to the family?

A) The client is resolving emotional conflicts about death.
B) The client is not willing to communicate with family.
C) The client is trying to escape the reality of death.
D) The client is concentrating on past losses.

Answer 2

The client is resolving emotional conflicts about death.

Question 3

A young male client diagnosed with terminal cancer is experiencing anger and rage as a result of the impending death. Based on the data collected, how does the nurse best explain the client's reaction?

A) Client is angry with the nurse.
B) Client is upset with the family.
C) Client is rebelling against helplessness.
D) Client is denying the diagnosis.

Answer 3

Client is rebelling against helplessness.

Question 4

A client diagnosed with terminal illness sleeps a great deal as a means of escaping from reality of the inevitable but accepted death. Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care to support the client at this stage of the death process?

A) Encouraging the client to make the most of each remaining day
B) Reassuring the client that everything is being done to extend life
C) Encouraging the client to engage in casual talk about fears
D) Providing gentle touch to assure the client that someone is here and is cares

Question 5

When a terminally ill client dwells on past losses, the nurse recognizes that the client is in which state of dying?

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

Question 6

The long-term life partner of a client diagnosed with terminal cancer is unable to confront the situation. What intervention should the nurse offer the partner to assist in appropriate participation in the client's dying process?

A) Strive to accept the inevitability of death for each of us
B) Talk honestly about death with both the client and the staff.
C) Provide the client with hope and encouragement for the time that remains.
D) Assure the client that you will remain with them until the end

Question 7

An older terminally ill client tells the nurse of hoping to live to see a child receive a promotion to full professor. This statement suggests to the nurse that the client is in what stage of dying

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

Question 8

The nurse is caring for a terminally ill client who is angry and unable to comprehend dying. Which principle should the nurse consider to best ensure that the client reaches a stage of acceptance and peace?

A) Dying is a human inevitability
B) Prayer may be viewed as a source of comfort
C) Acceptance of death comes in its own time
D) The process of death incorporates many emotions

Question 9

What is initial stage of Kübler-Ross's stages of grief and loss?

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

Question 10

How can the nurse best assist a client draw strength from religious faith?

A) Limit visitors to immediate family during prayer sessions.
B) Arrange for individuals from the client's religious group to pray with the client.
C) Have the hospital chaplain visit with the client each day.
D) Find out what religious materials would be of help to the client.

Question 11

A nurse is caring for a dying client who belongs to an organized religious group. Why is religion important for some individuals faced with death?

A) Family and friends are unable to support an individual's organized religious beliefs.
B) Spirituality alone fails to answer life after death questions
C) Religion can support spirituality and the existence of the soul.
D) Organized religion can ensure what will occur before the afterlife.

Question 12

A client's family tells the nurse that their cultural and ethnic beliefs will not allow their father's body to be left alone at any time before burial. The mortuary is unable to pick up the body until morning because of a terrible storm and the hospital's policy is that all bodies must be stored in the hospital morgue until the body can be transported. What is the initial intervention the nurse should implement to resolve this situation?

A) Arrange to have the body moved to the morgue after explaining the policy to the family.
B) Contact the nursing supervisor to discuss possible arrangements to resolve the issue.
C) Contact the client's primary care provider to talk to the family about the situation.
D) Move the deceased client to an unoccupied room and allow family to stay with the body.

Question 13

A client, diagnosed with cancer states a desired outcome of "quality of life." Which statement indicates that the desired outcome has been met for the client?

A) The client possesses adequate financial resources to pay for own healthcare needs.
B) The client spends the majority of time in spiritual reflection.
C) The client has no signs or symptoms of preventive complication of the cancer at this time.
D) The client verbalizes satisfaction regarding relationships with family members.

Question 14

Which religion demonstrates a death practice that includes family involvement in the care of the deceased body with the funeral ritual being held in the home?

A) Amish
B) Baptist
C) Buddhist
D) Christian Science

Question 15

Members of which religion are most likely to deny consent for an autopsy?

A) Christian Science
B) Episcopal
C) Greek Orthodox
D) Hindu

Question 16

Which religions require mandatory baptism for a dying child? Select all that apply

A) Roman Catholic
B) Russian Orthodox
C) Greek Orthodox
D) Quakers
E) Hindu

Question 17

A client diagnosed with terminal cardiovascular disease is angry and verbally abusive to staff as well as visitors. When a visitor expresses being hurt by the client's actions but wanting to be supportive, which response best supports the client?

A) "Don't argue with him; his anger will soon pass."
B) "Just keep reminding yourself that you love him."
C) "Try to see past the anger and listen to what he is saying."
D) "Such anger is a normal part of the dying process."

Question 18

Which intervention should the nurse include in the care plan of a terminally ill client in the depression stage of dying?

A) Allow for adequate rest.
B) Encourage family support.
C) Facilitate achievement of client's wishes.
D) Provide appropriate physical care.

Question 19

Which word would best describe the denial stage of dying?

A) Rage
B) Shock
C) Guilt
D) Grief