Deck 23: Death and Grief in the Later Years

Question 1

You are a nurse in the hospital setting caring for an older patient, Sylvia, with brain cancer. Sylvia's cancer has metastasized throughout her body, and her oncologist recently informed her and her family that her condition is terminal. You notice, though, that in their interactions and communication, Sylvia and her family do not openly acknowledge or discuss the diagnosis, but rather talk about the weather or the lives of other family members. Which of Glaser and Strauss' awareness contexts is this family currently in?

A) Closed awareness context
B) Suspected awareness context
C) Mutual pretense context
D) Open awareness context

Answer 1

C

Question 2

As a nurse working in a local hospital, you have been caring for an older patient, Marvin, who has end-stage emphysema. Marvin's pulmonologist has indicated that he likely has only 6 months to live. Marvin is stunned by the news at first, but later says that he's not sure he trusts the doctor's prognosis and says he will get a second opinion. Which of Kübler-Ross' stages of grief is Marvin most likely in?

A) Denial
B) Anger
C) Bargaining
D) Depression

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Helen, an older woman, has recently learned that she has AIDS and is reeling from the news. She knows very little about the disease and is struggling to come to grips with the reality that she has it and with how it will affect her life. Which of Doka's phases is Helen most likely experiencing?

A) Prediagnostic phase
B) Acute phase
C) Chronic phase
D) Terminal phase

Answer 3

B

Question 4

As a hospice nurse, you are caring for an older woman named Lois in her home. Lois is dying of pancreatic cancer. Which of the following would be examples of palliative care in this situation? Select all that apply.

A) Providing back massages
B) Administering chemotherapy
C) Administering prescribed pain medication
D) Discussing a simple exercise plan to improve cardiovascular fitness
E) Providing warm foot baths

Question 5

As a hospice nurse, you are caring for an older adult, Henry, in a hospice center. Which of the following would be appropriate therapeutic approaches for you to use with Henry? Select all that apply.

A) Listen with an unbiased mind to what the dying person is saying.
B) Encourage the family to not get their hopes up regarding the person's life expectancy.
C) Encourage the person and family to express denial, anger, guilt, shame, or other feelings without judgment.
D) Assist with housework, errands caring for family members, or other tasks.
E) Explain to the dying person and family which stage or stages of grief they are in.

Question 6

In the context of hospice care, you are caring for a woman, Cassandra, who recently lost her mother, who was 102 years old. Cassandra tells you that most of her family seemed relieved by the death and are acting as if it is a blessing because her mother was so old. She, however, still grieves deeply and wonders whether she has a right to do so. Which of the following types of grief is Cassandra experiencing?

A) Anticipatory grief
B) Chronic grief
C) Disenfranchised grief
D) Exaggerated grief

Question 7

You are a gerontologist caring for a resident of a long-term care facility, Victor. Victor has expressed a desire to designate his son as the person to make health care decisions on his behalf should he be unable to make them. Which of the following does Victor need legal help establishing?

A) Living will
B) Medical power of attorney
C) Ethical will
D) Do-not-resuscitate orders

Question 8

As a hospice nurse, you are caring for an older man who has just lost his wife of 50 years. Which of the following approaches should you take with this person?

A) Use terms such as passed away, expired, or left us rather than dying, dead, and death.
B) Avoid awkward moments of silence by expressing sentiments of sympathy.
C) Offer affirming statements such as "It was for the best."
D) Assist the individual in understanding that the grieving process is a normal response to loss.

Question 9

Describe some of the common options for body interment and funerals following death and explain the importance of these in the grieving process.

Question 10

You are assisting your grandfather with creating an ethical will. Explain what an ethical will is and list several suggestions you might make on what to include in it.