Question: A person whose spouse died 2 years earlier tells friends, “I think I’m ready to start going out socially, maybe even take someone to dinner.” What does this comment best demonstrate about the individual’s state of mind? a. Is denying the significance of the loss. b. Is in a period of grief resolution.
A person whose spouse died 2 years earlier tells friends, “I think I’m ready to start going out socially, maybe even take someone to dinner.” What does this comment best demonstrate about the individual’s state of mind? a. Is denying the significance of the loss. b. Is in a period of grief resolution. c. Is actively working through grief. d. Is experiencing intrusion. Correct Answer b. Is in a period of grief resolution.
Question: After the death of his wife, a man tells the nurse, “I can’t live without her. She was my whole life.” Which is the nurse’s most therapeutic reply? a. “Each day will get a little better.” b. “Her death is a terrible loss for you.” c. “Remember, she’s no longer suffering.” d. “Your friends will help you cope with this.”
After the death of his wife, a man tells the nurse, “I can’t live without her. She was my whole life.” Which is the nurse’s most therapeutic reply? a. “Each day will get a little better.” b. “Her death is a terrible loss for you.” c. “Remember, she’s no longer suffering.” d. “Your friends will help you cope with this.” Correct Answer b. “Her death is a terrible loss for you.”
Question: Shortly after a man’s wife dies, the man approaches the nurse who cared for his wife during her final hours of life and says angrily, “If you had given your undivided attention, she would still be alive.” Which analysis applies? a. The husband will pursue legal action regarding the nurse’s negligence.
Shortly after a man’s wife dies, the man approaches the nurse who cared for his wife during her final hours of life and says angrily, “If you had given your undivided attention, she would still be alive.” Which analysis applies? a. The husband will pursue legal action regarding the nurse’s negligence. b. Anger is a phenomenon experienced during grieving. c. The husband had ambivalent feelings about his wife. d. In some cultures, grief is expressed exclusively by anger. Correct Answer b. Anger is a phenomenon experienced during grieving.
Question: After her husband died of heart failure, a wife approaches the nurse who cared for her husband. In the hospital hallway, the wife shouts angrily, “He’d still be alive if you’d given him your undivided attention!” Which response should the nurse implement? a. “I understand you’re feeling upset. Let’s go to our conference room, and I’ll stay with you until your family comes.”
After her husband died of heart failure, a wife approaches the nurse who cared for her husband. In the hospital hallway, the wife shouts angrily, “He’d still be alive if you’d given him your undivided attention!” Which response should the nurse implement? a. “I understand you’re feeling upset. Let’s go to our conference room, and I’ll stay with you until your family comes.” b. “Your husband’s heart was severely damaged and could no longer pump. There’s nothing anyone could have done.” c. “I will call the nursing supervisor to discuss this matter with you.” d. “It will be all right if you cry. Crying is a normal grief response.” Correct Answer a. “I understand you’re feeling upset. Let’s go to our conference room, and I’ll stay with you until your family comes.”
Question: When a widowed man states, “It’s difficult getting used to sleeping in our bed alone.” How is the work of mourning best characterized? a. It is beginning. b. It is progressing abnormally. c. It is at or near completion. d. It has not yet begun.
When a widowed man states, “It’s difficult getting used to sleeping in our bed alone.” How is the work of mourning best characterized? a. It is beginning. b. It is progressing abnormally. c. It is at or near completion. d. It has not yet begun. Correct Answer c. It is at or near completion.
Question: What situation makes the mourning process more difficult for the bereaved? a. They were relatively independent of the deceased. b. They have experienced many previous losses. c. They accept that death is expected for everyone. d. They had resolved conflicts with the deceased.
What situation makes the mourning process more difficult for the bereaved? a. They were relatively independent of the deceased. b. They have experienced many previous losses. c. They accept that death is expected for everyone. d. They had resolved conflicts with the deceased. Correct Answer b. They have experienced many previous losses.
Question: A patient newly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer says, “My father also died of pancreatic cancer. I took care of him during his illness. I can’t go through that.” Select the highest priority nursing diagnosis. a. Anticipatory grieving b. Ineffective coping c. Ineffective denial d. Risk for suicide
A patient newly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer says, “My father also died of pancreatic cancer. I took care of him during his illness. I can’t go through that.” Select the highest priority nursing diagnosis. a. Anticipatory grieving b. Ineffective coping c. Ineffective denial d. Risk for suicide Correct Answer d. Risk for suicide
Question: A nurse talks with a person whose spouse died suddenly while jogging. Which is the appropriate statement for the nurse? a. “At least your spouse did not suffer.” b. “It’s better to go quickly as your spouse did.” c. “The loss of your spouse must be very painful for you.” d. “You’ll begin to feel better after you get over the shock.”
A nurse talks with a person whose spouse died suddenly while jogging. Which is the appropriate statement for the nurse? a. “At least your spouse did not suffer.” b. “It’s better to go quickly as your spouse did.” c. “The loss of your spouse must be very painful for you.” d. “You’ll begin to feel better after you get over the shock.” Correct Answer c. “The loss of your spouse must be very painful for you.”
Question: A recently widowed patient tells the health care provider, “I have so much epigastric discomfort. I wonder if I have an ulcer.” Diagnostic tests are negative. What does the symptom likely demonstrate? a. Early reorganization behavior b. Disorganization and depression c. Preoccupation with the deceased
A recently widowed patient tells the health care provider, “I have so much epigastric discomfort. I wonder if I have an ulcer.” Diagnostic tests are negative. What does the symptom likely demonstrate? a. Early reorganization behavior b. Disorganization and depression c. Preoccupation with the deceased d. Normal phenomenon of mourning Correct Answer d. Normal phenomenon of mourning
Question: Which finding indicates the successful completion of an individual’s grieving process? a. For 2 years, a person has kept the deceased spouse’s belongings in their usual places. b. After 15 months, a widowed person realistically remembers both the pleasures and disappointments of the relationship with the spouse.
Which finding indicates the successful completion of an individual’s grieving process? a. For 2 years, a person has kept the deceased spouse’s belongings in their usual places. b. After 15 months, a widowed person realistically remembers both the pleasures and disappointments of the relationship with the spouse. c. 3 years after the death, a person talks about the spouse as if the spouse was still alive and weeps when others mention the spouse’s name. d. 18 months after the spouse’s death, a person says, “I never cry or have feelings of loss even though we were always very close.” Correct Answer b. After 15 months, a widowed person realistically remembers both the pleasures and disappointments of the relationship with the spouse.
Question: A child drowned while swimming in a local lake 4 years ago. Which behavior indicates that the parents are effectively coping with their loss? a. Prohibits their other children from swimming lessons. b. Sets a place for the deceased child at the family dinner table. c. Keeps their child’s room exactly as the child left it.
A child drowned while swimming in a local lake 4 years ago. Which behavior indicates that the parents are effectively coping with their loss? a. Prohibits their other children from swimming lessons. b. Sets a place for the deceased child at the family dinner table. c. Keeps their child’s room exactly as the child left it. d. Throw flowers on the lake at each anniversary date of the accident. Correct Answer d. Throw flowers on the lake at each anniversary date of the accident.
Question: A patient diagnosed with metastatic brain cancer says, “I’m dying, but I’m still living. I want to be in control as long as I can.” Which reply shows the nurse was actively listening? a. “Our staff will do their best to help you feel comfortable.” b. “Most people do not know how to help and are afraid of death.”
A patient diagnosed with metastatic brain cancer says, “I’m dying, but I’m still living. I want to be in control as long as I can.” Which reply shows the nurse was actively listening? a. “Our staff will do their best to help you feel comfortable.” b. “Most people do not know how to help and are afraid of death.” c. “Although your body is frail, your mind and spirit are healthy.” d. “You want people to stop focusing on your weaknesses.” Correct Answer c. “Although your body is frail, your mind and spirit are healthy.”
Question: A terminally ill patient says, “I know I’m not going to get well, but still.” and the patient’s voice trails off. Which response by the nurse is therapeutic? a. “What do you hope for?” b. “No, you’re not going to get well.” c. “Do you have questions about what is happening?” d. “I’m happy you are being realistic about your future.”
A terminally ill patient says, “I know I’m not going to get well, but still.” and the patient’s voice trails off. Which response by the nurse is therapeutic? a. “What do you hope for?” b. “No, you’re not going to get well.” c. “Do you have questions about what is happening?” d. “I’m happy you are being realistic about your future.” Correct Answer a. “What do you hope for?”
Question: A woman whose husband is terminally ill says, “I don’t want to cry in front of him. I don’t want him to know how soon death will occur or how sad I am.” Which response by the nurse would be most therapeutic? a. “I’m glad you are protecting him at a time when he is so vulnerable.” b. “He might be more comforted than disturbed by your tears.”
A woman whose husband is terminally ill says, “I don’t want to cry in front of him. I don’t want him to know how soon death will occur or how sad I am.” Which response by the nurse would be most therapeutic? a. “I’m glad you are protecting him at a time when he is so vulnerable.” b. “He might be more comforted than disturbed by your tears.” c. “It’s important for you to know that time is running out.” d. “You definitely need to be honest about your feelings.” Correct Answer b. “He might be more comforted than disturbed by your tears.”
Question: A family of a terminally ill patient asks the nurse, “What can we say when our family member mentions death is coming soon?” Which response could the nurse suggest? a. “We think you will be around for a long time.” b. “We don’t want you to give up trying to get well.” c. “We don’t think we’re ready to talk about this yet.”
A family of a terminally ill patient asks the nurse, “What can we say when our family member mentions death is coming soon?” Which response could the nurse suggest? a. “We think you will be around for a long time.” b. “We don’t want you to give up trying to get well.” c. “We don’t think we’re ready to talk about this yet.” d. “We feel so sad when we think of life without you.” Correct Answer d. “We feel so sad when we think of life without you.”
Question: As death approaches, a patient diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) says, “I don’t want to see a lot of visitors anymore. Just my parents and my sibling can come in for a while each day.” What action should the nurse take? a. Ask the patient to reconsider the decision because many interested and caring friends can be sources of support.
As death approaches, a patient diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) says, “I don’t want to see a lot of visitors anymore. Just my parents and my sibling can come in for a while each day.” What action should the nurse take? a. Ask the patient to reconsider the decision because many interested and caring friends can be sources of support. b. Discuss the request with the parents and sibling. Suggest that they explain the patient’s decision to friends. c. Suggest that the patient discuss these wishes with the health care provider. d. Place a “no visitors” sign on the patient’s door. Correct Answer b. Discuss the request with the parents and sibling. Suggest that they explain the patient’s decision to friends.
Question: A nurse manager notices that a staff member spends minimal time with a patient diagnosed with AIDS who is terminally ill. The patient says, “I’m having intense emotional reactions to this illness. Sometimes I feel angry, but other times I feel afraid or abandoned.” The nurse manager can correctly hypothesize that the most likely reason for the staff member’s avoidance is triggered by what?
A nurse manager notices that a staff member spends minimal time with a patient diagnosed with AIDS who is terminally ill. The patient says, “I’m having intense emotional reactions to this illness. Sometimes I feel angry, but other times I feel afraid or abandoned.” The nurse manager can correctly hypothesize that the most likely reason for the staff member’s avoidance is triggered by what? a. Fear of infection transmission. b. Feelings of inadequacy in dealing with complex emotional needs. c. Belief that the patient needs time alone with family and friends. d. Knowledge that the patient’s former lifestyle included high-risk behavior. Correct Answer b. Feelings of inadequacy in dealing with complex emotional needs.
Question: A terminally ill patient tells the nurse, “Life has been good. I am proud of my education. I overcame adversity with willpower. I always gave my best and expected things to turn out well. I intend to die as I lived: optimistically.” The nurse planning care for this patient recognizes a critical need to focus on maintaining the patient’s state of mind?
A terminally ill patient tells the nurse, “Life has been good. I am proud of my education. I overcame adversity with willpower. I always gave my best and expected things to turn out well. I intend to die as I lived: optimistically.” The nurse planning care for this patient recognizes a critical need to focus on maintaining the patient’s state of mind? a. Providing aggressive pain and symptom management b. Helping the patient reassess and explore existing conflicts c. Assisting the patient to focus on the meaning in life and death d. Supporting the patient’s use of personal resources to meet challenges Correct Answer d. Supporting the patient’s use of personal resources to meet challenges
Question: The partner of a patient in hospice care tells the nurse, “The care provided by the aide and other family members is inadequate, so I must do everything myself. Can’t anyone do anything right?” How best should the palliative care nurse respond? a. Providing teaching about anticipatory grieving b. Assigning new personnel to the patient’s care
The partner of a patient in hospice care tells the nurse, “The care provided by the aide and other family members is inadequate, so I must do everything myself. Can’t anyone do anything right?” How best should the palliative care nurse respond? a. Providing teaching about anticipatory grieving b. Assigning new personnel to the patient’s care c. Arranging hospitalization for the patient d. Refer the partner for crisis counseling Correct Answer a. Providing teaching about anticipatory grieving