Nokea
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
Rationale: When a bereaved family member behaves in a disturbed manner, the nurse should show patience and tact while offering sympathy and warmth. Moving the individual to a private area so as not to disturb others is important.
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After the death of a spouse, an adult repeatedly says, 'I should have made him go to the doctor when he said he didn't feel well.' What response is this individual likely experiencing?
- A. Preoccupation with the image of the deceased
- B. Sensations of somatic distress
- C. Anger
- D. Guilt
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Guilt is evident by the bereaved person's self-reproach. Preoccupation refers to dwelling on images of the deceased. Somatic distress would involve bodily symptoms. Anger is not evident from data given in this scenario.
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 going swimming.
- 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 4 years ago.
- D. Throw flowers on the lake at each anniversary date of the accident.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The parents who throw flowers across the lake on each anniversary date of the accident are effectively using a ritual to express their feelings openly.
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
Rationale: The most helpful responses by others validate the bereaved person's experience of loss. Avoid banalities; they increase the individual's sense of isolation.
The partner of a patient in hospice care angrily 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
Rationale: The behaviors described in this scenario are consistent with anticipatory grieving. The spouse needs to be taught about the process of anticipatory grieving.
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
Rationale: Anger may protect the bereaved from facing the devastating reality of the loss. Anger expressed during mourning is not directed toward the nurse personally.