A nurse is working in the emergency department when a child who was involved in a motor vehicle crash is admitted.The child is critically injured and,despite heroic efforts,does not survive.The nurse finds the family in the waiting room and several family members are agitated and do not listen to the nurse describe the child's injuries.One family member feels faint and another has vomited.What does the nurse understand about the current situation based on Epperson's theory of grieving?
A) It is important to be patient and identify one person to communicate with.
B) Most of the members are totally dysfunctional and should be sent home.
C) Signs of emotional upheaval and physical symptoms are a result of great stress.
D) The nurse should call security, as some family members may become violent.
E) This family is reacting normally to a catastrophic loss, according to one theory.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Epperson's theory of grieving,people experiencing a sudden or catastrophic loss experience the grief process differently than do others.There are six phases to this process: high anxiety,denial,anger,remorse,grief,and reconciliation.This family appears to be in the high-anxiety stage,with physical manifestations.The nurse should be patient with the family,find one person to communicate with primarily,and understand that this is a normal response to a great emotional upheaval.The family is not dysfunctional and should not be sent home.Violence is always a possibility in the emergency department,but the nurse should not assume that these family members will become violent.The family should be moved to a private waiting room if possible to avoid disrupting the rest of the department,but the nurse should act as if this behavior is understandable,not something to be controlled.

A Nurse Is Working in the Emergency Department When a Child