Deck 16: Bereavement

Question 1

After giving birth to a stillborn baby,the woman says,"I just painted the baby's room.Do you think that had an influence on my baby's death?" The best response to this woman is:

A) "No, that's an old wives' tale."
B) "Maybe. The excessive exertion may have caused the loss of the baby."
C) "Looking for answers to questions like that will prolong your grief."
D) "I can understand your need to find an answer to what caused this."

Answer 1

D
Clear information should be provided about the cause of death.Part of the grief process for bereaved parents is figuring out what happened,their role in the loss,why it happened to them,and why it happened to their baby.The health-care worker needs to recognize that these questions must be answered by the bereaved themselves as part of their healing.

Question 2

A widow of 10 months says that she has started sleeping better,is going out more with friends,and can talk about her husband without feeling so lost and angry.The health-care worker recognizes that this represents:

A) the beginning of the "letting-go" process.
B) an inability to accept the reality of her husband's death.
C) her true feelings of relief that her husband has died.
D) recognition that she is now ready to make changes in her life, such as selling her house or moving to a new city.

Answer 2

A
Letting go of the past begins when the survivor can begin to speak of the loved one without deep pain,move away from a feeling of isolation,and feel less intense grief from the loss.

Question 3

The health-care worker can provide the best support to a family experiencing anticipatory grief related to the imminent death of a loved one by:

A) discouraging premature expressions of grief.
B) suggesting activities to cheer up the family.
C) attempting to "lighten the mood."
D) being available to the family.

Answer 3

D
Health-care workers need to be available to the family to discuss the grieving process and provide opportunities for the family to express emotions.

Question 4

After the death of an 80-year-old Jewish man,the health-care worker is aware that while the family is waiting for the funeral home to come for the body,the deceased is:

A) covered by a ceremonial cloth.
B) prepared for burial on the next Saturday.
C) blessed by placing a basil leaf on his tongue.
D) never left alone.

Question 5

The most therapeutic communication to use with a bereaved family should reflect:

A) reassurance of reduction of grief.
B) acknowledgment of the loss.
C) interpretation of depth of grief.
D) cheerfulness.

Question 6

While doing final preparations for a Hindu woman to be picked up by the funeral home,the health-care worker observes a thread tied around the corpse's wrist and a basil leaf in her mouth.These items:

A) are to be removed only by the next of kin.
B) may be removed by the sadhu, the Hindu holy man.
C) should be left in place.
D) should be collected and given to the eldest son.

Question 7

The parents of a 7-year-old are concerned because their child,upon being informed about the death of his grandmother,said,"Nana is mean.I don't love her anymore!" This behavior is:

A) maladaptive.
B) an inability to have a concept of death.
C) anxiety about their own death.
D) a normal reaction.

Question 8

A health-care worker is preparing the body of an Arab American patient who just died for transfer to the morgue.Family members insist on washing and cleansing the body before it is taken away.The health-care worker's best response is:

A) "No, I'm sorry, only hospital personnel are allowed to do this."
B) "I think it would be better if you left the room while I make him ready."
C) "Yes, of course you may. Do you need any special cloths or towels?"
D) "I'm afraid it will just make you more distressed if you touch him again."

Question 9

A man whose wife died 6 months ago says that he sometimes still "hears" his wife's voice and has trouble sleeping and does not feel like socializing.The health-care worker recognizes that:

A) these complaints are part of a normal grief response.
B) the pain of the loss should be less by this time.
C) these responses are more typical immediately after the death.
D) this grieving is excessive and should be evaluated.

Question 10

Seven months ago,a 30-year-old man lost his wife in an automobile accident.His coworkers have become concerned about his mood swings from rage to uncontrolled crying.The health-care worker recognizes that this is:

A) normal grief due to the unexpectedness of his loss.
B) abnormal grief that may require psychological counseling.
C) a manifestation of a personality disorder.
D) outward expressions of grief that are considered normal.

Question 11

When a dying 90-year-old woman gives her rosary to her granddaughter,this gift should be viewed as a:

A) religious ceremony.
B) legacy.
C) sign of favoritism.
D) directive for greater spiritualism.

Question 12

Several health-care workers have requested to attend the funeral of a patient for whom they felt especially close.The supervisor recognizes that attending the funeral is:

A) appropriate, because families always expect this expression of concern.
B) appropriate, because it can assist in the resolution of personal grief.
C) inappropriate, because it is unprofessional.
D) inappropriate, because it increases the potential for burnout.

Question 13

When the shocked father of a 17-year-old who committed suicide says,"We should have seen this coming.I feel so guilty." The most therapeutic response would be:

A) "This must be awful for you. Tell me about your son."
B) "I know how you must feel."
C) "Don't feel guilty. It was his decision."
D) "Tell me what happened."

Question 14

A newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit is dying,and the neonatologist has shared with the parents their baby's prognosis.When the father sees his son,he says,"He looks just fine to me.I can't understand what all this is about." The health-care worker recognizes that the father is:

A) in denial or disbelief.
B) attempting to shield the truth from his wife.
C) in the shock and numbness phase of mourning.
D) beginning anticipatory grieving.

Question 15

After the death of their child in the emergency room following a hit-and-run automobile accident,the mother says,"God is dead for me.God is as dead as my child.I will not worship a dead god!" The most helpful response would be:

A) "I am sorry for your loss."
B) "Let me get the hospital chaplain for you!"
C) "God feels your pain and he is still there for you.
D) "I can understand why you feel angry with God and everyone else right now."

Question 16

A grief reaction that interferes with life's functions is:

A) mourning.
B) anticipatory grief.
C) bereavement.
D) dysfunctional grief.

Question 17

The statement that would be least therapeutic to say to the bereaved mother at the death of her infant son would be:

A) "I have called your husband. He will be here soon."
B) "You can stay with him and hold him if you wish."
C) "He was a very special little boy to me."
D) "Fortunately he is not suffering anymore."

Question 18

At the time of a child's death,a "memory kit" is made for the parents.The most appropriate items in such a kit would be:

A) the hospital identification bracelet.
B) a curl of the baby's hair.
C) the pacifier used to quiet the baby.
D) the small hospital blanket used to cover the baby.

Question 19

The family of a young girl killed in an automobile accident arrives at the hospital shortly after her death and requests to see her body.Since she is disfigured from the accident,the most appropriate action is to:

A) explain that their daughter is disfigured and that it would be too upsetting for them to see her.
B) contact a grief counselor to discuss this problem with them.
C) encourage them to wait to see her until the funeral home has prepared her body.
D) inform them of what to expect and then let them see the body.

Question 20

The manner in which persons adjust to losses in their life will determine:

A) family relationships.
B) depth of religious views.
C) quality of life.
D) maturity.

Question 21

Saying goodbye to the pain of loss,the feeling of isolation,and the nearness of the loved one is known as _________ ____.

Question 22

A bereaved person is in special need of condolence and support:

A) on the deceased's birthday.
B) at the first of the year.
C) on the anniversary date of the death.
D) on the weekends.

Question 23

Persons experiencing bereavement should postpone making drastic changes in their lives for at least:

A) 1 month.
B) 6 months.
C) 1 year.
D) 2 years.

Question 24

The process of bereavement includes the survivors': (Select all that apply. )

A) reaction to the loss.
B) refusal to integrate the loss.
C) portrayal of the deceased as perfect.
D) adjustment to the loss.
E) reorganization of the fabric of life.

Question 25

The death rituals observed by the East Indian community include which aspect(s)? (Select all that apply. )

A) Family members wash and prepare the body.
B) Family allows only the heart to be donated.
C) The naked body is wrapped in a white sheet.
D) Official mourning will last for 40 days.
E) The body is buried within 24 hours of death.

Question 26

The event most likely to make a grief reaction complicated and pathological would be:

A) identification with the lost person.
B) death by suicide.
C) fantasizing about one's own death.
D) intense anticipatory grieving.

Question 27

_________________ is the outward expression of grief.

Question 28

A common anxiety about suicide is reflected when the twin brother of a suicide victim asks:

A) "Although he is dead, am I still a twin?"
B) "Do you think I will be tempted to commit suicide like he did?"
C) "Do you think my parents will ever get over this?"
D) "Have you ever had suicidal thoughts?"