Question 1

The majority of U.S.physicians in the early 1960s were telling the terminally ill patient of his or her diagnosis,whereas currently most physicians are not in favor of telling the patient of the prognosis.

Accepted Answer

Currently, most physicians are in favor of telling the patient of their prognosis. This is known as informed consent, and it allows the patient to make informed decisions about their treatment and end-of-life care.

Question 2

A terminally ill patient will always follow each of Kubler-Ross's stages of the dying process in the order in which she defined them.

Accepted Answer

While Kubler-Ross's stages of the dying process (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) are a helpful framework for understanding the emotions and experiences of many terminally ill patients, it is important to remember that each individual's process may be different and not necessarily follow a linear progression through each stage. Some patients may skip stages or experience them in a different order. Additionally, not all patients may fully experience all of the stages.

Question 3

Modern medical advances make it possible for physicians to give accurate predictions regarding the timing of death for terminal patients.

Accepted Answer

While modern medicine can provide estimates based on statistical data and patient condition, predicting the exact timing of death remains uncertain due to the complex nature of individual health and unforeseen variables.

Question 4

Asian Americans favor honest and frank discussion regarding terminal diagnoses.

Accepted Answer

Cultural values among Asian Americans often emphasize harmony and may lead to a preference for indirect communication, especially in sensitive situations like terminal diagnoses.

Question 5

Values are innate rather than socially created.

Accepted Answer

Values are socially created and influenced by cultural and societal norms. They are learned through interactions with others and the environment.

Question 6

People tend to fear the process of dying more than the event of death.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that people often fear the process of dying, such as pain or loss of control, more than the actual event of death itself.

Question 7

Roles differ from norms in that they specify what behavior is expected for persons occupying specific social positions.

Accepted Answer

Roles are specific expectations for behavior associated with a certain social position, while norms are more general expectations for behavior that apply to a wider range of people in a social group or culture.

Question 8

Patients and caregivers are usually comfortable in their roles relative to the dying process.

Accepted Answer

While some patients and caregivers may feel comfortable with the dying process due to prior experiences or preparation, it is not always the case. Factors such as cultural beliefs, personal values, and the unpredictability of the dying process can all contribute to discomfort or uncertainty.

Question 9

"Norms" are plans of action or expected behavior patterns felt to be appropriate for a particular situation.

Accepted Answer

Norms are indeed plans of action or expected behavior patterns considered appropriate for a specific situation.

Question 10

Medical research has concluded that cancer can be easily passed from one person to another.

Accepted Answer

Cancer is not contagious and cannot be easily passed from one person to another like a virus or bacteria. It is caused by mutations in a person's own cells and not from external sources. However, some factors such as smoking or exposure to certain chemicals or radiation can increase the risk of developing cancer.

Question 11

"Roles" are plans of action or expected behavior patterns specifying what should be done by persons occupying particular social positions.

Accepted Answer

Roles are indeed plans of action or expected behavior patterns specifying what should be done by persons occupying particular social positions.

Question 12

A dying patient's "terminal" label becomes the "master status" for that individual because it dominates all other status indicators.

Accepted Answer

A person's terminal illness status often becomes the most dominant aspect of their identity and can often overshadow other roles and characteristics they may possess. This can be due to the intense focus and attention given to their medical condition by healthcare professionals, family, and friends.

Question 13

Societal disengagement is the process by which society withdraws from an individual's efforts.

Accepted Answer

Societal disengagement refers to the ways in which society may disengage or withdraw from a particular individual or group, often resulting in social exclusion or marginalization.

Question 14

Physicians as a group tend to express more conscious death anxiety than do groups of individuals who are physically ill.

Accepted Answer

This is because physicians are more aware of the inevitability of death and may have witnessed numerous deaths in their practice, leading to increased death anxiety.

Question 15

Physicians with a high probability of relating to terminally ill patients tend to be more open with their patients than physicians practicing medicine in specialties with a lower probability of dealing with death.

Accepted Answer

Physicians who deal with terminally ill patients on a regular basis tend to have a better understanding and empathy towards their patients, which helps them communicate more openly with their patients. Physicians in other specialties may not have the same level of comfort or experience in dealing with death and may not be as open with their patients.

Question 16

Dying people do not know inherently how to act when dying,and therefore they must discover a way to act appropriately.

Accepted Answer

Dying people may not have prior experience with death or may not have received guidance on how to act when facing death. Therefore, they may need to discover ways to cope with their impending death and behave appropriately in their own unique way.

Question 17

According to research,black and white Americans are more likely to be honest with their family members regarding a terminal diagnosis than are Korean and Mexican American families.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that black and white Americans are more likely to have open and honest communication with their family members about terminal diagnoses, whereas Korean and Mexican American families tend to use more indirect and euphemistic language when discussing serious illness.

Question 18

The first stage of Kubler-Ross's dying process is anger.

Accepted Answer

The first stage of Kubler-Ross's dying process is actually denial, followed by anger as the second stage.

Question 19

The fifth stage of Kubler-Ross's dying process is depression.

Accepted Answer

The fifth stage of Kubler-Ross's dying process is acceptance, not depression. Depression is the fourth stage.

Question 20

Female physicians tend to be more egalitarian in their relationships with patients and more respectful and responsive to patients' personal needs.

Accepted Answer

Studies have found that female physicians tend to have better communication skills, spend more time with patients, and are more likely to involve patients in decision-making, leading to more egalitarian relationships with patients. They are also more likely to address patients' emotional and personal needs, showing more empathy and respect.

Quiz 5: The Dying Process