Deck 10: Grief and Loss

Question 1

A young couple just ended their relationship after a 9-month engagement. The one of the individuals is seeking short-term counseling to assist in grieving this loss. Which type of loss best describes what this client is experiencing?

A) Safety loss
B) Loss of security and sense of belonging
C) Loss of self-esteem
D) Loss related to self-actualization

Answer 1

Loss of security and sense of belonging

Question 2

A child who has witnessed the murder of his classmate while at school would experience which kind of loss?

A) Physiologic loss
B) Loss of self-esteem
C) Loss related to self-actualization
D) Safety loss

Answer 2

Safety loss

Question 3

Which of the following terms is used to describe the process by which a person experiences the grief?

A) Anticipatory grieving
B) Disenfranchised grief
C) Bereavement
D) Mourning

Answer 3

Bereavement

Question 4

A married couple has just received the news that the husband has terminal cancer. The wife tells the nurse, Maybe if we get another opinion and start treatment right way there is a chance of survival. The nurse documents that the wife is expressing signs of which of Kubler-Ross's stages of grief?

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

Question 5

After being laid off from work, a client becomes increasingly withdrawn and fatigued, spends entire days in bed, is unkempt, and is eating and sleeping poorly. The nurse would recognize that the client is in which stage of grieving, according to Kubler-Ross?

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

Question 6

The client says to the nurse, I really want to see my first grandchild born before I die. Is that too much to ask? The nurse would recognize that the client is in which stage of grieving, according to Kubler-Ross?

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

Question 7

Kubler-Ross developed a model of five stages to explain what people experience as they grieve and mourn. Which is stage V of Kubler-Ross's stages of grieving?

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

Question 8

Friends of a teenage male recently killed in a car accident are discussing their sense of loss. Which of the following comments best indicates that the friends are trying to make sense of the loss cognitively?

A) Why did he have to die so young?
B) He shouldn't have been driving so recklessly.
C) If we had only stayed longer, he would not have been on that road.
D) It took the ambulance too long to get there.

Question 9

The nurse is working with a woman who lost her partner nearly 3 weeks prior. The woman has recently become less emotional and expressed that few things in her life have meaning right now. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate at this time?

A) I am concerned. You are starting to show signs of ineffective grieving.
B) You must feel some anger. It is alright to let that out.
C) Let's look at the things in your life that you still enjoy.
D) You are just starting to accept that this loss is real.

Question 10

The nurse is working with a client who lost her youngest child 2 months ago. When the nurse approaches, the client, the client yells, I don't want to talk to you. You have no idea what it's like to lose a child! The nurse bases her response to the client on the understanding of which of the following?

A) Hostility is a common behavioral response to grief.
B) It is too soon after the loss to empathize with the client.
C) Personality traits such as aggressiveness are exaggerated during the grief process.
D) The nurse may have nonverbally indicated a judgmental attitude toward the client.

Question 11

Which of the following are eventual outcomes of the emotional dimension of grieving? Select all that apply.

A) The survivor begins to reestablish a sense of personal identity, direction, and purpose for living.
B) The survivor begins to gain independence and confidence.
C) The survivor develops new ways of managing life and new relationships.
D) The survivor's life returns to the same state as it was before the loss.
E) The survivor forgets about the loss.

Question 12

The nurse is conducting a history and physical exam on a client who is grieving the unwanted loss of a marriage by divorce. Which of the following physical symptoms of grief would the nurse most likely expect to detect in the history?

A) Headaches
B) Insomnia
C) Weight loss
D) GI upset

Question 13

The nurse is caring for a hospice client whose death is imminent. In preparing the family for the death of their loved one, then nurse prepares to assist the family in which of the following, regardless of the family's cultural preferences? Select all that apply.

A) Dealing with the shock of losing a loved one
B) Burial plans after death had occurred
C) Efforts to stay connected to the client after death
D) Use of support from family and friends
E) Anger at the loss of a loved one

Question 14

The most effective way for the nurse to provide culturally competent care to individuals who are grieving is which of the following?

A) Understand the practices associated with a client's culture.
B) Suggest developing a new ritual to make mourning meaningful.
C) Ask the client what rituals are personally meaningful.
D) Contact a spiritual leader from the client's culture to become involved.

Question 15

A nurse has been caring for a gunshot victim who has just died. Various family and friends are present. One of the visitors privately discloses to the nurse that she and the client were having an illicit affair. Which of the following is the best action by the nurse after learning of this relationship?

A) Give the name of a clergy to the visitor and suggest she contact him for support
B) Encourage the visitor to ask for support from the friends who are present
C) Ignore the information about the affair and tend to the family
D) Privately offer support to the visitor who was having the affair with the client

Question 16

A woman has just had a therapeutic abortion to end an unintended pregnancy. Afterward, the woman cries because although she wanted to have children in future years, this pregnancy was not well-timed. Which type of grief is this woman most likely to experience?

A) Anticipatory grief
B) Absence of grief
C) Complicated grief
D) Disenfranchised grief

Question 17

Which of the following losses are likely to result in disenfranchised grief? Select all that apply.

A) A young adult whose spouse has just died suddenly
B) A family whose long-time pet snake has just died
C) A nurse who has just witnessed the death of a patient
D) A couple who has just experienced pregnancy loss
E) The gay lover of a man who just died from AIDS
F) The mother and sister of a soldier who was killed in war

Question 18

Which of the following is most likely to prevent the client from experiencing complicated grief?

A) Tendency to suppress emotions
B) History of depression
C) Places trusts familiar others
D) Dependent on others to meet needs

Question 19

Which of the following persons are most likely experiencing complicated grieving? Select all that apply.

A) The spouse of a person who died 7 years ago and visits the grave several times a day.
B) The grandchild of a soldier killed in war who visits the grave once a year on Memorial Day.
C) A driver whose spouse and children all died as a result of his driving drunk.
D) An adult who insisted for many years that he or she hated his or her deceased parent.
E) The parent of a child who died after the having left the child in a car on a hot day.

Question 20

The nurse is meeting a client for the first time who has just spontaneously lost her unborn child. After establishing rapport, the priority nursing intervention should focus on which of the following?

A) Assessing the client's support system
B) Exploring what this loss means for the client
C) Discussing helpful ways to cope with the loss
D) Assessing what knowledge the client desires about the situation

Question 21

Which of the following are critical components to assess in a grieving person? Select all that apply.

A) Genetic risk
B) Perception of the loss
C) Support system
D) Coping behaviors
E) Religion

Question 22

A client with terminal cancer has been told he has 3 or 4 months to live. Which of the following would indicate to the nurse that further interventions are needed?

A) The client says he wants to live life to the fullest.
B) The client hopes for a peaceful and dignified death.
C) The client is reviewing his life and talking about death.
D) The client says he is well and is making future plans.

Question 23

A young client tells the nurse that her husband died 3 months ago, and she is feeling alone and vulnerable. Which statement by the client would indicate that her coping skills are adequate?

A) I can't understand why this happened to me.
B) I'm mentally healthy. I can solve my own problems.
C) I will find a support group.
D) What can I do? My husband abandoned me.

Question 24

A couple came to the emergency department with their 5-month-old son. He was pronounced dead of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In the next day or two, it will be important for this couple to

A) accept that they could do nothing to prevent this death.
B) delay the grieving process until they are ready to cope.
C) minimize their discussion of the death with others.
D) plan funeral arrangements for their son.

Question 25

The nurse is establishing outcomes for a grieving client. Which of the following is an appropriate outcome?

A) The client will develop a plan for coping with the loss.
B) The client will demonstrate self-reliance during the grief process.
C) The client will suppress emotions related to the loss.
D) The client will verbalize that loss will not adversely affect the quality of life.

Question 26

The nurse approaches a client who looks very sad and is sitting alone crying. The best response by the nurse in this situation is,

A) I'm sorry you are sad. Is there anything I can do to help you feel better?
B) Please don't cry. It will get better.
C) You look very sad. What is happening?
D) What is bothering you?

Question 27

A woman has just been served divorce papers from her husband. She has no financial resources and little social support. She states, He's not really leaving. He'll be back. The most appropriate response by the nurse would be which of the following?

A) Has he done this before?
B) I'll call social services and get you signed up for financial assistance.
C) You have to face reality. Here are the papers.
D) How is this affecting you right now?

Question 28

An elderly woman who lives alone is beginning to have difficulty maintaining her household and performing daily tasks. The nurse asks her to identify someone who can help her. The woman replies, I don't need help. I've been managing for years. Which of the following responses helps the client shift from denial to consciously coping with her situation?

A) You don't think you need any help? But your family is worried about you.
B) It must be hard to lose your independence. I'll ask a social worker to see what can be arranged.
C) If you were to need help with your house, who might you ask for help?
D) If you don't ask for some help. then the only option is to move to an assisted living facility.

Question 29

A client who has been grieving the loss of his wife 2 weeks ago says to the nurse, The best part of my day is when I am back at work. Is that wrong? The nurse educates that work and other daily activities serve which purpose?

A) You cannot work effectively this soon. You should finish grieving first.
B) Working reminds you of your loss. It may be too early to go back.
C) Working is your way of avoiding grief, which will make it harder for you to move on.
D) Working is letting you take an emotional break from grieving. There's nothing wrong with that.

Question 30

Which of the following are critical components in assessment of a person's grief? Select all that apply.

A) Adequate perception regarding the loss
B) Adequate time to experience the loss
C) Adequate support while grieving for the loss
D) Adequate opportunities to say goodbye to the person
E) Adequate coping behaviors during the process

Question 31

A client comes to the physician's office for an annual checkup. During the interview, the nurse learns that the client's husband died unexpectedly of a heart attack 2 months ago. The most appropriate response by the nurse would be,

A) At least you and your husband enjoyed life right until the end.
B) It's better to go quickly like your husband did instead of suffering.
C) The loss of your husband must be very painful for you.
D) You'll feel better after you get over the shock of your husband's death.

Question 32

A woman has just delivered a stillborn baby boy. Which of the following would be the most appropriate nursing response?

A) Can I do anything for you?
B) If something was wrong, it's better this way.
C) Your son is in heaven with God now.
D) Would you like to hold your son?

Question 33

A client is scheduled for a mastectomy for breast cancer. She is quiet, shows little emotion, and states that she has no questions. The nurse's assessment would need to focus on

A) the client's plans for reconstructive surgery.
B) the meaning of the mastectomy to the client.
C) whether the client truly understands the surgery.
D) why the client seems depressed.