Nokea
During a grief-processing group, an elderly patient stated, “For the first time since my husband died, I’m having more good days than bad.” This statement suggests that the patient has:
- A. Reached the phase of reestablishment
- B. Determined she is ready to terminate the support group
- C. Completed her “grief work” successfully
- D. Replaced old memories with new ones.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Completed her "grief work" successfully. This statement indicates progress in the grieving process, moving towards acceptance and healing. The patient acknowledging having more good days than bad reflects a positive shift in coping with the loss, indicating that she has processed her grief and is beginning to adapt to life without her husband. This suggests that the patient has worked through her emotions, memories, and adjustments related to the loss, reaching a point where she is experiencing more peace and acceptance.
Summary:
A: Reestablishment is not the correct choice as it does not specifically address the completion of the grief work.
B: Determining readiness to terminate the support group is premature, as the patient may still benefit from continued support.
D: Replacing old memories with new ones is not supported by the patient's statement and does not necessarily indicate successful grief processing.
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The nurse counseling a patient with acute grief would assess the patient for:
- A. Severe depressive symptoms
- B. Conflicted and unresolved issues
- C. Increased arousal and hypervigilance
- D. Preoccupation with the image of the deceased
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because acute grief typically involves conflicting and unresolved emotions and thoughts related to the loss. The nurse would assess for unresolved issues to provide appropriate support and interventions. Choice A is incorrect as severe depressive symptoms may indicate complicated grief, not typical acute grief. Choice C is incorrect as increased arousal and hypervigilance are more characteristic of post-traumatic stress disorder. Choice D is incorrect as preoccupation with the image of the deceased may be a common experience in grief but does not encompass the full range of emotions and conflicts that acute grief entails.
The desired outcome for a patient experiencing insomnia is, "Patient will sleep for a minimum of 5 hours nightly within 7 days." At the end of 7 days, review of sleep data shows the patient sleeps an average of 4 hours nightly and takes a 2-hour afternoon nap. The nurse will document the outcome as:
- A. Consistently demonstrated.
- B. Often demonstrated.
- C. Sometimes demonstrated
- D. Never demonstrated.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Sometimes demonstrated. The rationale is that the patient is not consistently meeting the desired outcome of sleeping for a minimum of 5 hours nightly within 7 days. Although the patient is sleeping for an average of 4 hours nightly, the 2-hour afternoon nap indicates that the patient is not achieving the desired outcome consistently. Therefore, the nurse would document the outcome as "Sometimes demonstrated" to reflect that the patient is making progress towards the goal but has not fully achieved it. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the patient's sleep behavior does not align with being consistently, often, or never demonstrated based on the desired outcome criteria.
When sharing her feelings about separating from a therapy group, the patient stated, “I feel a bit sad and empty that I won’t be seeing you folks again.” What is the most accurate evaluation of the patient’s statement?
- A. It indicates regression and her lack of readiness to terminate.
- B. Unconsciously, she is hoping she will be permitted to continue the group.
- C. She is demonstrating normal feelings associated with termination of therapy.
- D. She needs further evaluation by her therapist to determine readiness to
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the patient expressing feeling sad and empty about leaving the therapy group is a normal response to the termination of therapy. This indicates that the patient has developed attachments and a sense of belonging within the group, which is a common aspect of group therapy. It shows emotional investment in the therapeutic process and signifies progress in the patient's emotional awareness and ability to express feelings.
Choice A is incorrect because the statement does not necessarily indicate regression but rather a normal emotional response. Choice B is incorrect as it assumes unconscious motivations without evidence. Choice D is incorrect as it is not necessary to question the patient's readiness based on the provided statement.
The patient states, "Everybody picks on me. They frobitz me." The patient’s communication exhibits:
- A. A neologism
- B. Loose associations
- C. Delusional thinking
- D. Circumstantial speech
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: A neologism. A neologism is a made-up word or phrase that only has meaning to the individual. In this case, "frobitz" is not a known word in the English language, indicating a neologism. This suggests possible language or thought disorder. B: Loose associations involve disconnected or tangential thoughts. C: Delusional thinking involves fixed false beliefs. D: Circumstantial speech includes excessive, irrelevant detail before reaching the main point.
A teenage boy has lost his best friend as a result of a hunting accident. His parents report that he is eating and sleeping very little and expresses little interest in school. They are concerned that he talks about the accident repeatedly. These behaviors are generally seen as:
- A. Expressing responsibility for his friends death
- B. Attempts to avoid dealing with his pain
- C. Expressions of a normal grief reaction
- D. Indications of a risk for self-harm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Expressions of a normal grief reaction. The teenage boy's behaviors of poor appetite, insomnia, lack of interest in school, and repetitive discussions about the accident are common manifestations of grief. This grief reaction is a normal response to losing a close friend in a traumatic manner like a hunting accident. It is important to acknowledge and validate his emotions during this difficult time.
Incorrect Choices:
A: Expressing responsibility for his friend's death - This choice suggests guilt or blame on the part of the boy, which is not evident in the scenario.
B: Attempts to avoid dealing with his pain - The boy's behaviors indicate he is processing his grief rather than avoiding it.
D: Indications of a risk for self-harm - While it is important to monitor for signs of self-harm, the behaviors described are more indicative of grief rather than immediate self-harm risk.