Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art and Science of Person-Centered Care Tenth, North American Edition - Conception Through Young Adulthood Related

Review Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art and Science of Person-Centered Care Tenth, North American Edition - Conception Through Young Adulthood related questions and content

When caring for older adults in a long-term care facility, a nurse encourages an older adult to talk about past life events. One patient tells the nurse they were an angry person, lost many jobs, and ended up alone. According to Erikson, this patient is in what developmental stage?

  • A. Despair
  • B. Stagnation
  • C. Inferiority
  • D. Industry
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Reminiscence during the older years of a person's life provides a sense of fulfillment and purpose (ego integrity). The patient's description of anger, job loss, and loneliness suggests they are experiencing despair, which occurs when a person believes their life has been a series of failures or missed directions.