Deck 17: Death, Dying, and Grieving

Question 1

Brain death occurs when:

A) all electrical activity of the brain has ceased for a specified period of time.
B) a person remains unconscious for a specified period of time.
C) the lower regions of the brain stop functioning.
D) the body loses the ability to breathe on its own.

Answer 1

all electrical activity of the brain has ceased for a specified period of time.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of active euthanasia?

A) Injecting a lethal dose of a drug
B) Turning off a respirator
C) Removing a heart-lung machine
D) Stopping antibiotics

Answer 2

Injecting a lethal dose of a drug

Question 3

Which of the following is the best description of the term "euthanasia"?

A) Easy death
B) Death wish
C) Voluntary death
D) Painless death

Answer 3

Easy death

Question 4

Damon has been terminally ill with multiple fractures to his skull. He has been in a vegetative state for over three years. Finally, his family agrees to end his suffering by removing him from the life-support system. This is an example of:

A) passive euthanasia.
B) active euthanasia.
C) natural euthanasia.
D) acceptable euthanasia.

Question 5

Turning off a respirator or a heart-lung machine is an example of _____ euthanasia.

A) active
B) deliberate
C) passive
D) sustained

Question 6

Which of the following statements about a living will is FALSE?

A) It is a legally binding document.
B) Only the terminally ill can write one.
C) The individual must be in a clear state of mind when writing it.
D) The document contains the individual's wishes regarding medical treatment.

Question 7

Which of the following organizations created a legal document that reflects the patient's advance care planning?

A) Death Wish Commune
B) Choice in Dying
C) Euthanasia Undertaking
D) Death Drive Pact

Question 8

A recent study of end-of-life planning revealed that _____ of patients 18 years of age and older had a living will.

A) over two-thirds
B) 15 percent
C) just one-third
D) 40 percent

Question 9

Basilio sustained severe and irreversible brain damage due to an accidental overdose of insulin. His wife and his children decided to remove the life-support system, and Basilio subsequently died. This is an example of:

A) active euthanasia.
B) passive euthanasia.
C) natural euthanasia.
D) culturally acceptable euthanasia.

Question 10

Sometimes euthanasia is called:

A) "honor killing."
B) "mercy killing."
C) "quick death."
D) "violent death."

Question 11

Angelique is in the terminal stages of cancer. She feels that the pain has now become unbearable, so she requests her doctor to end her life painlessly through medication. Which of the following acts is Angelique requesting her doctor to perform?

A) Aphasia
B) Anesthesia
C) Euthanasia
D) Dysthanasia

Question 12

The _____ portions of the brain often die sooner than the _____ portions.

A) lower; higher
B) lower; middle
C) higher; lower
D) middle; lower

Question 13

_____ refers to a legal document that reflects the patient's advance care planning.

A) Last request
B) Dying will
C) Living will
D) Easy death order

Question 14

An advanced directive/living will must be signed when:

A) at least two medical professionals are present.
B) a doctor and a lawyer are present.
C) when an individual is told he or she has a life-threatening condition.
D) when an individual is able to think clearly.

Question 15

If the cortical death definition were adopted, then physicians could claim a person is dead when his or her _____ is no longer functioning.

A) lower brain
B) middle brain
C) higher brain
D) entire brain

Question 16

A flat EEG (electroencephalogram) recording for a specified period of time is one criterion of _____.

A) rigor mortis
B) euthanasia
C) brain death
D) paralysis

Question 17

Which of the following were considered to be to be clear signs of death twenty-five years ago?

A) A flat EEG (electroencephalogram) reading for a specified period of time
B) The end of certain biological functions
C) The end of electrical activity in the brain
D) The lack of response to sensory stimuli

Question 18

Terry is in the final stages of lupus, a condition which causes her severe pain and discomfort. At Terry's insistence, her caregiver takes the decision to end her pain by administering a lethal dose of a drug. This is an example of _____ euthanasia.

A) passive
B) universally legal
C) natural
D) active

Question 19

A(n) _____ states such preferences as whether life-sustaining procedures should or should not be used to prolong the life of an individual when death is imminent.

A) advance directive
B) choice in dying
C) oral will
D) representation agreement

Question 20

Which of the following was considered to be a clear sign of death in the past?

A) A flat EEG
B) Moderate brain stem function
C) Lack of higher cortical brain function
D) Rigor mortis

Question 21

In the Gond culture of India, death is believed to be caused by:

A) natural forces.
B) an angry supreme being.
C) the ill will of others in the community.
D) magic and demons.

Question 22

Which of the following religions believes in reincarnation?

A) Orthodox Judaism
B) Methodism
C) Buddhism
D) Roman Catholicism

Question 23

In the United States today, more than 80 percent of all deaths occur:

A) due to motor vehicle accidents.
B) due to infectious diseases.
C) at home.
D) in institutions or hospitals.

Question 24

A "good death" involves all of the following EXCEPT:

A) acceptance.
B) support from loved ones.
C) not feeling like a burden to others.
D) appropriate medical care.

Question 25

In which of the following states is active euthanasia not considered a crime?

A) Nevada
B) Texas
C) Washington
D) New York

Question 26

Hospices are a relatively recent approach developed to:

A) cure illness and prolong life at all costs.
B) make the end of life as free from pain and anxiety as possible.
C) provide a place where people with no living relatives can die.
D) lower the cost of medical care by competing with hospitals.

Question 27

Today, death occurs most often among:

A) older adults.
B) adolescents
C) infants.
D) middle-aged adults.

Question 28

Van Alphen, Donker, & Marquet reported that in the Netherlands, _____ was found to be main reason for requests for active euthanasia.

A) pain
B) depression
C) anger
D) acceptance of death

Question 29

Which of the following is true of the American attitude toward death?

A) Americans consider death of the biological body as the end of existence.
B) Americans do not believe in a spiritual body that lives on after death.
C) Belief in reincarnation is a defining aspect of the American belief about death.
D) Americans are generally death avoiders and death deniers.

Question 30

Which of the following statements about hospice care is true?

A) Hospice care emphasizes the need to limit the administration of painkillers to terminally ill patients.
B) Hospice care mainly emphasizes efforts to cure an illness.
C) Hospice care focuses on efforts to prolong life.
D) Hospice care emphasizes palliative care.

Question 31

The type of care that is designed to reduce pain and suffering and help individuals die with dignity is known as:

A) curative care.
B) palliative care.
C) terminal care.
D) compassionate care.

Question 32

What do studies say of the American attitude toward euthanasia after the Terri Schiavo incident?

A) Family members are more accepting of passive euthanasia.
B) General population favors active euthanasia.
C) Family members want an escalation of treatment.
D) General population favors a mandatory euthanasia for the terminally ill.

Question 33

_____ is a program committed to making the end of life as free from pain, anxiety, and depression as possible.

A) Asylum
B) Hospital stay
C) Hospice
D) Compassionate care

Question 34

Active euthanasia is legal in the state of:

A) California.
B) Florida.
C) New York.
D) Oregon.

Question 35

Which of the following statements is NOT true regarding the death scenario in the U.S. today?

A) More than 80 percent of all deaths occur in institutions or hospitals.
B) The care of a dying older person has shifted away from the family.
C) Today, death occurs most often among adolescents.
D) Nowadays, more older adults die apart from their families.

Question 36

Active euthanasia is legal in:

A) the Netherlands and Uruguay.
B) Africa and India.
C) Canada and Sweden.
D) China and Japan.

Question 37

In 1994, the state of _____ passed the Death With Dignity Act, which allows active euthanasia.

A) Florida
B) Oregon
C) Washington
D) New York

Question 38

Which of the following statement about the care of a dying older person the U.S. today is true?

A) The care of a dying older person has shifted to the family members.
B) The care of a dying older person has shifted away from the family.
C) The exposure to death and its painful surroundings has increased.
D) Most of the dying people are cared for by distant relatives.

Question 39

According to Onwuteaka-Philipsen & others, a Dutch study of almost 7,000 dying persons revealed that only _____ percent requested passive or active euthanasia, and of those who requested it, approximately one-third of the requests were granted.

A) 24
B) 12
C) 7
D) 2

Question 40

In 1900, most people died:

A) in a hospital, cared for by medical staff.
B) in a nursing home.
C) at home, cared for by their family.
D) at a hospice.

Question 41

Josue has incurable cancer. However, he promises to lead a reformed life dedicated to God if God will spare his life. Josue is in which of Kübler-Ross' stages of dying?

A) Denial
B) Hope
C) Bargaining
D) Acceptance

Question 42

According to Kübler-Ross, during the _____ stage of dying the realization of loss is great and those who symbolize life, energy, and competent functioning are especially salient targets of the dying person's resentment and jealousy.

A) bargaining
B) anger
C) depression
D) acceptance

Question 43

According to Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, when a dying person finally accepts the fact of impending death and becomes depressed about it, which of the following would be most appropriate?

A) Remind the person of all his or her positive life achievements.
B) Tell humorous stories to cheer the person up.
C) Allow the person to experience and work through the depression.
D) Increase the person's medication dose so that he or she will have fewer negative thoughts or feelings.

Question 44

According to Kübler-Ross, _____ is the stage of dying in which the person develops the hope that death can somehow be postponed or delayed.

A) bargaining
B) acceptance
C) depression
D) anger

Question 45

According to Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, which of the following is the first stage of dying?

A) Denial and isolation
B) Bargaining
C) Acceptance
D) Depression

Question 46

According to Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, which of the following is the second stage of dying?

A) Denial and isolation
B) Bargaining
C) Acceptance
D) Anger

Question 47

Ada knows that she has liver cancer and will not live much longer. In her prayers, she asks God to let her live one more year, and she will promise to set everything right with her family and loved ones. Which of Kübler-Ross' stages of dying is Ada currently in?

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

Question 48

Terry, a terminally ill cancer patient, has finally accepted the certainty of her death. She is now refusing to have any visitors to her hospital room, and spends most of her time crying and grieving. Which of the following stages of dying is Terry most likely in?

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

Question 49

Myette has just been told that she has breast cancer and that her tests show that the cancer has spread to her liver. Myette says, "I feel great. The lab obviously has my test results mixed up with someone else." According to Kübler-Ross, Myette is in the _____ stage of dying.

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

Question 50

Kübler-Ross describes the _____ stage as the end of the dying struggle.

A) anger
B) acceptance
C) bargaining
D) depression

Question 51

Which of the following is Kübler-Ross' third stage of dying?

A) Denial and isolation
B) Acceptance
C) Bargaining
D) Anger

Question 52

After accepting the certainty of death, a period of _____ or preparatory grief may appear.

A) anger
B) acceptance
C) bargaining
D) depression

Question 53

Which of the following is Kübler-Ross' fifth stage of dying?

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

Question 54

"No, it can't be me. It's not possible," thinks Clara, when she hears the news of her terminal illness. Which of Kübler-Ross' stages of dying is Clara currently in?

A) Acceptance
B) Bargaining
C) Denial and isolation
D) Depression

Question 55

Which of the following statements is an accurate criticism of Kübler-Ross's theory of dying?

A) She underestimates the amount of time people stay in the anger stage.
B) She did not consider that men and women go through each stage differently.
C) She did not demonstrate the existence of the five-stage sequence.
D) She ignored that most people do not realize they are dying.

Question 56

For a terminally ill person, which of the following can be the most useful benefit of denying one's imminent death?

A) Denial allows the person to fully address the issue of death.
B) Denial helps shield family members from negative feelings.
C) Denial encourages the person to further develop his or her understanding of what will happen after death.
D) Denial can help to insulate the dying person from coping with intense feelings of anger.

Question 57

Which of the following is Kübler-Ross' fourth stage of dying?

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

Question 58

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross believed that when a person is dying of a terminal illness, depression is:

A) a temporary phase that friends and family should help the person through as quickly as possible.
B) the first phase a person goes through when he or she learns that death is imminent.
C) part of the normal process of detaching the self from love objects.
D) an uncommon reaction that signals that the person needs professional counseling to cope with death.

Question 59

According to Kübler-Ross, in the _____ stage of dying, the dying person recognizes that denial can no longer be maintained.

A) anger
B) bargaining
C) acceptance
D) isolation

Question 60

In the _____ stage of dying, the dying person's question is, "Why me?"

A) acceptance
B) denial
C) bargaining
D) anger

Question 61

In which of the following countries is cremation most popular?

A) The United States
B) Mexico
C) Canada
D) Japan

Question 62

_____ is the emotional numbness, disbelief, separation anxiety, despair, sadness, and loneliness that accompany the loss of someone we love.

A) Grief
B) Anger
C) Obsession
D) Denial

Question 63

Which of the following most resembles the grieving process?

A) A year-long period of major depression
B) A roller coaster ride of emotions
C) An orderly progression of stages
D) A period of negative feelings that lasts around three months

Question 64

According to 2008 data, in the United States, _____ percent of men and _____ percent of women 65 years of age and older were widowed.

A) 25; 66
B) 13; 41
C) 44; 32
D) 10; 23

Question 65

Most psychologists believe that it is best for dying individuals to:

A) be unaware of their condition.
B) limit their interaction with others.
C) know that they are dying.
D) distance themselves from family and friends.

Question 66

Other than pining for the lost person, which of the following is another dimension of grief over death?

A) Depression
B) Insomnia
C) Separation anxiety
D) Death wish

Question 67

_____ can be used to avoid the destructive impact of shock by delaying the necessity of dealing with one's death.

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

Question 68

Jamie lost his wife of many years. He is still experiencing enduring despair a year after her death. Holly Prigerson and her colleagues would label this as _____.

A) depressive grief
B) extended grief
C) abnormal grief
D) prolonged grief

Question 69

Traditional Amish and Jewish cultures are similar in how they cope with death in that they both:

A) provide a lot of community support for the family over several months.
B) have elaborate funeral ceremonies in church to symbolize the last passage from Earth.
C) believe that grief is stronger for the whole community than for the individual family.
D) expect families to unite and cope together with only minimal support or interference from the rest of the community.

Question 70

Delilah lost her husband Hendricks to a bloody highway accident. Being just three years into marriage, she was devastated. Four months later, she was hassled by problems such as intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, sleep disturbance, problems in concentrating. Delilah is probably experiencing _____.

A) post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms
B) restoration-oriented stress
C) disenfranchised grief
D) separation anxiety

Question 71

Which of the following is an advantage of a dying individual knowing that he or she is dying?

A) The person can seek more aggressive medical interventions.
B) The person can move through the stages of dying more quickly.
C) The person can construct more effective means of denying death.
D) The person has time to reflect on his or her life and make decisions about dying.

Question 72

Prolonged grief disorder is also known as _____.

A) depressive grief
B) complicated grief
C) abnormal grief
D) extended grief

Question 73

An estimated _____ percent of survivors experience normal or uncomplicated grief reactions that include sadness and even disbelief or considerable anguish.

A) 80 to 90
B) 70 to 80
C) 60 to 70
D) 50 to 60

Question 74

In the United States, in 2007, burial, _____ percent of corpses were disposed of by cremation.

A) 34
B) 66
C) 50
D) 90

Question 75

Six months after their loss, approximately _____ percent of survivors have difficulty moving on with their life, feel numb or detached, believe their life is empty without the deceased, and feel that the future has no meaning.

A) 10 to 20
B) 20 to 30
C) 30 to 40
D) 40 to 50

Question 76

Deaths that are sudden, violent, or traumatic are likely to:

A) produce less intense feelings in survivors than if the person died of a long illness.
B) produce a shorter grieving process for the survivors than if the person died of a long illness.
C) produce more intense feelings in survivors than if the person died of a long illness.
D) produce no difference in either the intensity or the duration of the feelings in survivors than if the person died of a long illness.

Question 77

One study by Kim revealed that finding meaning in the death of a spouse was linked to:

A) a higher level of denial during bereavement.
B) a higher level of fear during bereavement.
C) a lower level of acceptance during bereavement.
D) a lower level of anger during bereavement.

Question 78

An intermittent, recurrent wish or need to recover the deceased person is known as_____.

A) grief
B) pining
C) mourning
D) obsession

Question 79

A study of more than 1,000 college students by Currier, Holland, & Neimeyer found that _____ was an important factor in their grieving of a violent loss by accident, homicide, or suicide.

A) making sense
B) denial and isolation
C) bargaining
D) perceived control

Question 80

In the United States, in 2007, _____ percent of corpses were disposed of by burial.

A) 90
B) 66
C) 50
D) 25