Basic Nursing 1st Edition by Judith Wilkinson, Leslie Treas

Exercise 16

Thomas Manning (MeetYour Patient) had a strained relationship with his father for most of his life. His father was an alcoholic and constantly fought with his mother while Thomas was growing up. A few months ago, his father was hospitalized for the third time for complications of alcoholism, and Thomas visited him. He confronted his father regarding his drinking and the problems and pain it had caused him and the family. The confrontation ended in an argument. That night, Thomas' father slipped into a coma, and a few days later, without recovering consciousness, he died.
• What issues does Thomas have to deal with?
• Why might this be a complicated grief process?