An older patient's spouse passed away 4 years ago; however, the patient still sets a place at the dinner table for the spouse and has never removed any clothing or other personal items from the home. What does the nurse suspect the patient is experiencing?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's behaviors suggest an inability to move past the loss of the spouse, indicating pathological grief. Normal grief evolves over time, but the persistence and intensity of these behaviors after several years are indicative of a more serious, unresolved grieving process.

An Older Patient's Spouse Passed Away 4 Years Ago; However