Question 1

Max was in critical condition when he arrived at the ER. His heart stopped and he almost died, but thanks to quick intervention survived the ordeal. As he healed, he discussed having the sense of floating in light and experiencing a sense of peace. Max seems to have had a _____.

Accepted Answer

Max's experience of floating in light and feeling a sense of peace is consistent with a near-death experience (NDE). NDEs are reported by some individuals who have come close to death and typically involve feelings of detachment from the physical body, a sense of entering into another realm or dimension, and encountering deceased loved ones or spiritual beings. Comas are a state of unconsciousness and do not necessarily involve any conscious experiences. Terror management theory is a psychological theory that explains how people cope with awareness of their own mortality. A good death is a subjective term for a death that is peaceful and meaningful to the dying person and their loved ones.

Question 2

Across cultures, a result of near-death experiences is _____.

Accepted Answer

Across cultures, individuals who have near-death experiences commonly report a sense of hopefulness, feeling a deeper connection to the universe or a higher power, and an appreciation for life. This suggests that near-death experiences can have a positive impact on individuals' attitudes and beliefs about death and dying.

Question 3

Which of the following statements regarding hospice care is true?

Accepted Answer

Patients can only be admitted to hospice care if their healthcare provider certifies that they have a life expectancy of six months or less. This certification can be renewed if the patient lives longer than expected but still requires hospice care.

Question 4

The work of _____ has been used to describe dying as a movement from a focus on physical needs through needs for love, safety, respect, and self-actualization, and finally to the acceptance of death.

Accepted Answer

Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory suggests that humans move through different levels of needs, starting with physiological needs and progressing towards safety, love/belonging, esteem, and finally self-actualization. As a person approaches death, they may focus less on physical needs and more on higher order needs such as self-actualization and ultimately acceptance of death.

Question 5

Which of the following is a common barrier to hospice care?

Accepted Answer

Accepting death can be difficult for patients and their families, making it a common barrier to hospice care. However, hospice care can provide comfort and support for both the patient and their loved ones during the end-of-life journey. The other options are not accurate, as hospice care is typically available for patients who have a life expectancy of six months or less, and it is often preferred by patients and families to receive care in their own homes rather than in a hospital. Additionally, hospice care is available in many countries beyond just England.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a way that medical advances have made a bad death more likely?

Accepted Answer

The statement "Death occurs at the end of a long life" actually points to a positive aspect of medical advances, as people are living longer and therefore have a greater likelihood of dying in old age rather than prematurely. The other options all suggest ways in which medical advances can complicate the dying process or make a "bad death" more likely.

Question 7

Mrs. Cannon has been diagnosed as terminally ill, but she insists that she will recover and believes that her laboratory results were mixed up or misinterpreted. Kübler-Ross would say that Mrs. Cannon is in the stage of _____.

Accepted Answer

Mrs. Cannon's belief that the laboratory results were mixed up or misinterpreted indicates that she is denying the reality of her illness, which is characteristic of the denial stage in Kübler-Ross's stages of grief.

Question 8

In what way has modern medicine made a good death more likely?

Accepted Answer

Modern medicine has been able to increase general levels of health, leading to most deaths occurring in old age. This means that people are able to live longer, healthier lives before ultimately passing away, making for a more peaceful and natural transition.

Question 9

Hospice care is expensive because it _____.

Accepted Answer

Hospice care is labor-intensive as it requires specialized healthcare professionals who are dedicated to providing end-of-life care to patients. This includes nurses, doctors, social workers, and spiritual counselors who provide 24/7 support to patients and their families. The cost of employing such a specialized team of professionals and providing round-the-clock care is one of the primary reasons why hospice care can be expensive.

Question 10

"Why me? You're an incompetent doctor!" Robert wails when his doctor delivers the news that his cancer has returned, and that Robert has only 3 months to live. Which of Kübler-Ross's stages is Robert in?

Accepted Answer

Robert is demonstrating anger towards his doctor, which is characteristic of the second stage of grief, anger.

Question 11

"Dad, why don't we go for a walk? You can watch the kids play soccer at the park," Beatrice says. Her father replies, "What's the point? Nothing really matters anymore." Which of Kübler-Ross's stages is Beatrice's father in?

Accepted Answer

The father's statement suggests a feeling of hopelessness and lack of joy, indicating he is in the depression stage.

Question 12

"Doctor, if you can find a new treatment that will cure me, I will buy the hospital a new cancer wing," Violet promises. Which of Kübler-Ross's stages is Violet in?

Accepted Answer

Violet is in the stage of bargaining, where she is attempting to make a deal with the doctor to find a new treatment in exchange for a promise to donate money to the hospital.

Question 13

Palliative care _____.

Accepted Answer

Palliative care is a type of medical care that aims to improve the quality of life for people with serious or life-threatening illnesses. This includes providing relief from physical pain, as well as other symptoms such as anxiety, nausea, and shortness of breath. It can be provided in a hospice setting, but also in other healthcare settings such as hospitals or at home. It is not a legal term for a living will, and while some religions may have restrictions or preferences regarding end-of-life care, palliative care is generally accepted as providing comfort and support for people in need.

Question 14

Medication that relieves pain and also slows respiration has a _____.

Accepted Answer

Double effect refers to when a medication or treatment has both intended and unintended effects. In this case, the medication is intended to relieve pain but also has the unintended effect of slowing respiration.

Question 15

Which of the following descriptions is NOT characteristic of a good death?

Accepted Answer

Being alone is not characteristic of a good death. Most people want to die surrounded by loved ones and in familiar surroundings.

Question 16

The goal of palliative care is to _____.

Accepted Answer

Palliative care aims to relieve patients from pain and suffering rather than treating the underlying illness or disease. It focuses on improving the quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses, regardless of the stage of the disease.

Question 17

According to Maslow, which of the following is a stage involved in the dying process?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Maslow, which of the following...

Question 18

According to Kübler-Ross, the first stage of dying is _____.

Accepted Answer

According to Kübler-Ross, the first stage of dying is denial, in which the person refuses to believe that they are dying.

Question 19

About what percentage of individuals admitted to hospice die before the end of the first week of hospice care?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that approximately one-third (33%) of individuals admitted to hospice care die within the first week.

Question 20

Laura has just entered a hospice. She can expect _____.

Accepted Answer

Hospice care focuses on providing comfort and managing pain for patients with terminal illnesses, rather than prolonging life through artificial means such as life-support systems or resuscitation. Visiting hours may be restricted, but this varies by individual hospice and is not a defining characteristic of hospice care.

Quiz 26: Seciton 3: Epilogue