Question 1

A patient is being seen for symptoms of insomnia and significant weight loss that has occurred during the 2 months since her husband's death.What is the purpose of the query,"Describe how it has been for you since your husband died?"

Accepted Answer

The question is a common assessment question to determine the grief work that has been done.The query does not ask about support systems or specific factors,and the query is more than a display of concern.

Question 2

Family and friends rush to offer support to a friend who has lost her teenage son.Which of these persons,through an intended act of kindness,may contribute to prolonging the woman's grief?

Accepted Answer

Frequent use of anxiolytic medications can mask grief.The other options are usual offers of assistance.

Question 3

During a bereavement group,one of the members states,"I should have been the one to die.My husband had so much to offer." The member was expressing:

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests low self-esteem.There is no mention of suicidal ideation.This is not simply an attention-getting statement.The statement does not imply anger.

Question 4

Which person would the nurse assess as experiencing chronic sorrow?

Accepted Answer

The only situation that presents as a long-term,chronic loss is having a child with a chronic disorder like schizophrenia.The other situations are resolving or at least hopeful for recovery.

Question 5

A teen is grieving the loss of her pet dog.She states to her mother,"I miss my dog so much,but I know that if I start crying,I will never stop." The teen is expressing a fear of:

Accepted Answer

The teen's statement that she will never stop indicates a "control" concern.The statement does not indicate embarrassment,immaturity concerns,or lack of support.

Question 6

A patient returned from attending the service memorializing his wife,who died after a sudden illness.Although those around him were visibly saddened,he smiled and remained in control.He refused support from friends,stating,"I can handle anything that comes my way." The patient's behavior is an example of _____ grief.

Accepted Answer

The statement indicates inhibited grief that is characterized by minimal emotional expression of grief.There is not enough data to support conflicted grief,which involves ambivalence in the relationship with the departed.Distorted grief is not one of the standard types,and normal grief is not characterized by this behavior.

Question 7

A young woman had just learned of the accidental death of her husband.She begins to cry and states,"It's not fair! How could he do this to me?" This remark is assessed as:

Accepted Answer

The remark indicates anger that her husband died on purpose.She is not asking for help nor is there data to support an explosive response.She is not stating fear.

Question 8

A grief support group is held at the local community center to assist persons who are dealing with issues of loss.Which remark by one of the members would the nurse interpret as indicating unresolved feelings of guilt?

Accepted Answer

Unresolved guilt reflects that the person should have done more.Expressing peace with a situation indicates closure on the husband's life.Missing indicates continued grieving but not guilt.Reflection on difficult times is not guilt.

Question 9

A nurse plans care based upon the fact that anticipatory grief:

Accepted Answer

Pre-mourning or anticipatory grief is associated with a high risk for depression or family withdrawal from the patient.It is normative and does not necessarily require a longer period of resolution or indicate fewer guilt expressions.It does not prevent depression.

Question 10

During a grief-processing group,an elderly patient stated,"For the first time since my husband died,I'm having more good days than bad." This statement suggests that the patient has:

Accepted Answer

Reestablishment is the gradual decrease in symptoms.There are not enough data to support the remaining options.

Question 11

Which physical disturbance is commonly assessed in patients experiencing acute grief?

Accepted Answer

Chest discomfort is common with the bereaved person.Anorexia is more common.There is no research to support the connection with cardiovascular involvement.Insomnia is more frequent than sleepiness.

Question 12

A teenage boy has lost his best friend as a result of a hunting accident.His parents report that he is eating and sleeping very little and expresses little interest in school.They are concerned that he talks about the accident repeatedly.These behaviors are generally seen as:

Accepted Answer

The teen is displaying normal grief responses.He is not avoiding his pain but rather expressing it various ways.There are no data to support that he feels responsible.He has not expressed suicidal ideation.

Question 13

The community health nurse is visiting a patient diagnosed with dysfunctional grieving since the death of his wife and child over a year ago.Which actions should the nurse implement first?

Accepted Answer

Safety issues would be the priority in cases of depression and dysfunctional grief.The remaining options are appropriate actions after risk is assessed.

Question 14

An elderly couple who lived in the same home for the past 50 years have moved into an adult retirement center in a nearby town.Changes in lifestyle such as this couple is experiencing should alert the nurse to the possibility of:

Accepted Answer

Adjustment to life cycle transitions may initiate acute grief.This could be a situational crisis but not an adventitious crisis.There are no indications that this will become chronic and lacks the magnitude needed to result in traumatic grief.

Question 15

When asked,the nurse explains that "grief work" refers to:

Accepted Answer

Grief work is moving through the stages of grief.The remaining options can be components of grief work.

Question 16

An outcome for a patient experiencing anticipatory grieving for a spouse diagnosed with terminal cancer would be that the patient will:

Accepted Answer

Some families who are experiencing anticipatory grieving withdraw prematurely from the ill member,so this is an important outcome.There are no protective mechanisms to prevent loss experiences.Anticipatory grieving does not imply violence.A contract to stay home and care for the spouse even with assistance is not helpful.

Question 17

A woman whose abusive husband was killed in an automobile accident 3 years earlier continues to idealize him and repeatedly talks about their "wonderful relationship." Which outcome is most appropriate for the patient? Patient will:

Accepted Answer

Chronic grief involves unresolved issues in a relationship with the person who died.In this case,a more realistic expression of their life together is needed.The remaining options are appropriate but do not address the primary need to establish realistic memories of the relationship.

Question 18

An adult patient shares that,"When my mother died when we were children,I never saw my father show any emotion.What do you think will happen with those unexpressed feelings?" Which response is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Inhibited expression of grief can lead to depression.It cannot be assumed that the grieving process has been completed.The adult child should not be made to feel responsible for counseling the father.Unexpressed feelings do not necessarily lead to suicidality.

Question 19

When differentiating between bereavement symptoms and depression,the nurse will base the formulation on knowledge that in bereavement:

Accepted Answer

Acute exacerbations are common especially around holidays and significant milestones.The remaining options are more common with depression.

Question 20

When a hospitalized patient dies,his wife stares blankly at the nurse and states,"It can't be." The nurse assesses this as indicating:

Accepted Answer

Shock and disbelief are often the first responses to a death,followed by protest and despair.The wife's statement does not indicate confusion or anger.

Quiz 28: Grief: In Loss and Death