Question 1

The nurse is caring for a patient from a patriarchal culture who has just experienced fetal demise at 30 weeks. The reason for the demise is not readily apparent. Being culturally sensitive, the nurse knows that:

Accepted Answer

In patriarchal cultures, the woman is often seen as responsible for reproduction, and the loss of a pregnancy can be viewed as a personal failure. It is important for the nurse to be aware of this cultural belief and provide emotional support to the patient.

Question 2

A 15-year-old patient has delivered a 22-week stillborn fetus. The nurse understands that:

Accepted Answer

The answer of A 15-year-old patient has delivered a 22-week...

Question 3

The labor and delivery nurse is caring for a patient whose labor is being induced due to fetal death in utero at 35 weeks' gestation. In planning intrapartum care for this patient, which nursing diagnosis is most likely to be applied?

Accepted Answer

The patient is experiencing a traumatic event with the loss of their unborn child and subsequently undergoing induction of labor. This can lead to feelings of powerlessness and a lack of control over the situation. The nursing diagnosis of Powerlessness is appropriate in this case and the nurse can work to provide emotional support and education to the patient to help them feel more empowered during the labor and delivery process.

Question 4

What of the following nursing interventions are appropriate when caring for the family experiencing a stillbirth?

Accepted Answer

Active listening, avoiding cliches, and wrapping the infant in a blanket are appropriate interventions. Active listening shows empathy and support, avoiding cliches prevents minimizing the parents' feelings, and wrapping the infant in a blanket shows respect and care for the infant, making the situation more comforting for the parents. Avoiding periods of silence is not necessarily appropriate as silence can be a valuable time for reflection and processing emotions. Permitting parents to hold their infant, even with birth defects, is important for their grieving process.

Question 5

A patient has experienced a stillbirth. Which statement by the nurse would be appropriate?

Accepted Answer

This statement expresses empathy and acknowledges the significance of the loss, while avoiding any potentially insensitive comments. Option A offers false reassurance and minimizes the loss, while option B could make the patient feel guilty for grieving their stillborn child. Option D can be seen as dismissive and insensitive.

Question 6

Which nursing interventions would be included in the plan of care for a family that has just been informed of a perinatal loss?

Accepted Answer

Providing a private space allows the family to grieve in their own way. Allowing participation in personal grief rituals respects their grieving process. Offering mementos helps in creating memories and acknowledging the infant's existence.

Question 7

The nurse is working with a family who experienced the stillbirth of a son 2 months ago. Which statement by the mother would be expected?

Accepted Answer

It is common for mothers who have experienced stillbirth to continue crying and have episodes of sadness, even months after the event. This is a natural part of the grieving process. The other choices are not expected and may indicate that the mother is trying to suppress her emotions or is experiencing unresolved grief.

Question 8

The nurse is caring for a 15-year-old who just delivered a 32-weeks'-gestation stillborn infant with numerous defects. In caring for this patient, the nurse knows that:

Accepted Answer

Adolescents often have a sense of invulnerability and may struggle to accept that negative events, like stillbirth, can happen to them. This can make the grieving process more difficult for them. Option A is incorrect because regardless of age or circumstances, a mother's pregnancy loss can be traumatic and cause significant grief. Option C is incorrect because it is not solely the mother's responsibility to handle the patient's grief; the nurse should also provide support and resources. Option D is not recommended without first discussing the situation with the patient and exploring her wishes regarding seeing the baby.

Question 9

Which nursing diagnoses can apply to the couple experiencing a perinatal loss?

Accepted Answer

A perinatal loss can lead to intense grieving, a feeling of powerlessness, and spiritual distress. The couple may also experience anxiety, guilt, and resentment. Deficient knowledge about involution may be a nursing diagnosis for a woman who has just given birth, but it is not relevant to a couple experiencing perinatal loss. Fear related to labor and unknown outcomes is also not relevant to this situation.

Question 10

The nurse is working with a laboring woman who has a known intrauterine fetal demise. To facilitate the family's acceptance of the fetal loss, after delivery the nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Offering the parents the choice of holding the infant in their arms can facilitate their acceptance of the loss by providing closure and a chance to say goodbye. Encouraging them to look at the infant from across the room may distance them from the reality of the situation. Taking the infant to the morgue immediately may also cause distress to the parents who may feel they didn't get a chance to bond with their child. Calling family members to inform them of the birth may be appropriate after the parents have had time to process the loss and make decisions about how to handle the situation.

Question 11

The nurse is present when a mother and her partner are told that their 35-week fetus has died. Which nursing intervention should the nurse perform first?

Accepted Answer

Encouraging open communication with the family and healthcare team is the first and most important intervention. The family needs support, information, and understanding during this difficult time. Asking them to withhold questions or requesting another nurse may make them feel ignored or isolated. Contacting a funeral home should only be done after the family has had time to process their grief and make decisions about their baby's arrangements.

Question 12

A patient has delivered a stillborn infant at 28 weeks' gestation. Which nursing action is appropriate?

Accepted Answer

It is important to give the parents the option to hold their stillborn baby as it may aid in the grieving process and facilitate closure. The other options may be insensitive and inappropriate.

Question 13

The community nurse is planning care for a family that experienced the loss of twins at 20 weeks. Which of these steps should be part of the nurse's care of this family?

Accepted Answer

Expressing belief in the family's ability to get through the experience can provide support and hope. Basing care on the reactions of previous patients is not appropriate as every family and situation is unique. Encouraging the couple to keep their feelings to themselves is not helpful and can potentially lead to further isolation and distress. Honoring the birth by reminding the couple that their baby is happy in heaven may not be consistent with their beliefs and may not be helpful in their grieving process.

Question 14

The nurse is supervising care by a new graduate nurse who is working with a couple who have experienced a stillbirth. Which statement made by the new nurse indicates that further instruction is necessary?

Accepted Answer

Avoiding the family's room would not be appropriate. The new nurse should be available to provide support and assist with communication and coping.

Question 15

The mother of a patient who has experienced a term stillbirth arrives at the hospital and goes to the nurses' desk. The mother asks what she should say to her daughter in this difficult time. What is the nurse's best response?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The mother of a patient who has...

Quiz 38: Grief and Loss in the Childbearing Family