Deck 18: Caring for the Dying Person

Question 1

Asking "why me," lashing out at relatives, and criticizing health care professionals are manifestations of _______

A) denial.
B) anger.
C) bargaining.
D) depression.
E) acceptance.

Answer 1

anger.

Question 2

Which statement is least likely to be true?

A) Some patients remain in denial up until the time of death.
B) Some patients reach acceptance fairly easily.
C) All patients go through the five stages of dying.
D) Some patients never reach acceptance.

Answer 2

All patients go through the five stages of dying.

Question 3

Which is not an appropriate form of condolence?

A) silence
B) staying in touch by phone or mail
C) saying "You must be strong."
D) being willing to listen
E) a hug or kiss

Answer 3

saying "You must be strong."

Question 4

For many survivors, making funeral arrangements and attending the funeral or memorial service _______

A) are unnecessarily painful.
B) provide a chance to say goodbye.
C) postpone the grief process.
D) are none of the above.

Question 5

Praying to stay alive until a certain event or begging to be given a second chance are examples of _______

A) denial.
B) anger.
C) bargaining.
D) depression.
E) acceptance.

Question 6

Changing doctors repeatedly, acting as though nothing is wrong, refusing to talk about the illness, and refusing treatment are manifestations of _______

A) denial.
B) anger.
C) bargaining.
D) depression.
E) acceptance.

Question 9

Chapter 18 discusses the importance of accepting impending death. However, many people in our society believe it is important to "stay positive" and "never give up hope" because "miracles do happen." What are your feelings about each of these approaches to dying? As a health care professional, how might these feelings influence your interactions with dying patients or their families?

Question 10

Although painful, grief can be a growth experience. Write a paragraph discussing lessons one can learn from grieving a loss.

Question 11

Explain several best practices for health care professionals who are assisting the family of a dying patient.

Question 12

When a patient appears to be at peace with dying, the patient has reached _______

A) denial.
B) anger.
C) bargaining.
D) depression.
E) acceptance.

Question 13

Hyperactivity, inappropriate feelings, physical illness, hostility, depression, or lack of feeling can be signs of _______

A) the grief process.
B) bereavement.
C) unresolved grief.
D) denial.

Question 14

Describe a time you have experienced some or all of the five stages of grief. The loss involved may be large or small.

Question 15

When friends or relatives protect bereaved individuals from having to make final arrangements or from being with the body, they are actually _______

A) sparing the bereaved person from pain.
B) showing their respect for the deceased.
C) depriving the bereaved individual a chance to work through grief.
D) doing none of the above.

Question 16

When a patient feels tremendous sorrow about impending death, he or she has reached the _______ stage.

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

Question 17

Which is often an immediate reaction to sudden or unexpected death?

A) anticipatory grief
B) bargaining
C) shock
D) anger

Question 18

According to Chapter 18, which losses could lead to a grief experience similar to the five stages of dying?

A) losing a job
B) a divorce
C) having one's home destroyed in a flood
D) all of the above

Question 19

Which can inhibit the grief process?

A) a sudden death
B) unresolved past grief
C) using drugs or alcohol to cope with emotions
D) resuming normal activities too early
E) all of the above

Question 20

It is inappropriate to tell a grieving person, "Don't cry. You must be strong." because _______

A) this response denies the person the right to grieve..
B) crying is a natural reaction to loss.
C) the individual needs the opportunity to work through his or her feelings.
D) all of the above.

Question 21

List several immediate physical effects of grief.

Question 22

Describe a time you have experienced some or all of the five stages of grief. The loss involved may be large or small.

Question 23

When is dying at home not appropriate?

Question 24

Give examples of physical relief to be provided by palliative care.

Question 25

List several physical reactions to grief that can continue for weeks or months following a loss.

Question 26

Give several guidelines for health care professionals who are assisting the family of a dying patient.

Question 27

Why is it important to deal effectively with grief?

Question 28

List several mental and emotional effects of bereavement.

Question 29

Give examples of emotional relief to be provided by palliative care.

Question 30

How is the health care professional's role different when assisting a dying patient as compared to assisting a patient who is likely to recover?

Question 31

List the five stages of grief identified by Dr. Kübler-Ross.

Question 32

Write a paragraph explaining why it is beneficial to inform patients that they are dying rather than protecting them from this knowledge.

Question 33

Although painful, grief can be a growth experience. Write a paragraph which discusses several lessons one can learn from grieving a loss.

Question 34

List several advantages to dying at home.

Question 35

Explain the focus of palliative care.

Question 36

What kind of plans must be made for a patient to die at home?

Question 37

Describe several of the fears that are commonly expressed by dying patients.

Question 38

When a death is expected, what can one do to facilitate anticipatory grieving and ease the dying process?