Question 1

In most industrialized nations, donated organs can be removed __________.

Accepted Answer

In most industrialized nations, the criteria for organ donation is brain death, which is defined as the irreversible cessation of all brain functions including the brainstem. Therefore, donated organs can only be removed when all brain activity ceases.

Question 2

Following Mr. Fernandez's automobile accident, the doctor informs his family that there has been an irreversible cessation of all activity in the brain and the brain stem. Mr. Fernandez has experienced __________.

Accepted Answer

The irreversible cessation of all activity in the brain and the brain stem is the definition of brain death. Clinical death may occur when the heart stops beating, but brain death is the point at which all brain function has ceased, including brain stem reflexes. Agonal phase refers to the final moments before death when the body is going through the dying process. Mortality refers to the state of being subject to death.

Question 3

Which of the following is an essential ingredient of a "good death"?

Accepted Answer

Offering the dying person care, affection, companionship, and esteem is an essential ingredient of a "good death" as it provides comfort and dignity to the dying person. Hiding the truth, avoiding discussions, or insisting on all possible life-saving measures may not contribute to a peaceful and meaningful death.

Question 4

Terminally ill Ms. Padgett has a buildup of fluid in her throat, which is causing a rattled breathing sound. As her heartbeat disintegrates, her muscles spasm and she gasps. Ms. Padgett is experiencing which phase of death?

Accepted Answer

The agonal phase is the period of time just before death when the body goes through a series of physiological changes. The symptoms described in the scenario, such as the rattled breathing and muscle spasms, are typical of the agonal phase. Brain death and clinical death occur after this phase, and mortality is a general term for the state of being subject to death.

Question 5

Nurse Elena wants to do all she can to help her terminally ill patients. She can accomplish this by __________.

Accepted Answer

Helping patients learn about their condition gives them the opportunity to make informed choices about their treatment preferences, which is important in ensuring patient autonomy and providing the best possible care for them. Providing pain medication is important, but it is not the only way to help terminally ill patients. Assuring patients that they will recover soon is not appropriate for terminally ill patients. Talking to patients' families about death's certainty but not including patients can be seen as deceiving the patients, which is not ethical. Avoiding discussions about the past and minimizing patients' personal control over the final phase of life can rob patients of the opportunity to reflect on their lives and make peace with their mortality.

Question 6

Death __________.

Accepted Answer

Death is a process in which organs stop functioning in a sequence that varies from person to person. While A and D are partially correct, they do not encompass the entirety of the process of death. B is incorrect as the timing and experience of death can vary greatly from person to person.

Question 7

Which statement is true about attitudes toward death?

Accepted Answer

In recent years, due to medical advancements and increased life expectancy, many people reach adulthood without having experienced the death of someone they know well. This is supported by research that shows a decline in exposure to death and dying over the last century, and an increase in the number of deaths that occur outside of the home or in medical facilities where family members may not be present.

Question 8

In a study of death anxiety among devout Islamic Saudi Arabians, fear of __________ was entirely absent.

Accepted Answer

The fear of the body decaying was entirely absent among devout Islamic Saudi Arabians in the study, likely due to religious beliefs about the afterlife and the physical resurrection of the body.

Question 9

Which individual will likely experience the lowest level of death anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Houston, who has a participatory perspective of death and dying, is likely to experience the lowest level of death anxiety. This perspective views death as a natural part of life and emphasizes the importance of participating in and preparing for the dying process. Hayley's belief in an afterlife but rare prayer, Jude's attendance at church but doubt of an afterlife, and Winifred's overcoming perspective (which focuses on conquering fear of death) do not necessarily lead to a lower level of death anxiety.

Question 10

Most people in the developed world __________.

Accepted Answer

In the developed world, most people die in hospitals or nursing homes under the care of doctors and nurses. Home deaths have become less common due to advancements in medical technology and the increasing reliance on medical professionals for end of life care.

Question 11

In both Eastern and Western cultures, __________ appear more anxious about death than __________ do.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that women generally report higher levels of death anxiety than men. This difference has been attributed to various factors, including social, psychological, and possibly biological reasons.

Question 12

During which stage of death does the individual pass into permanent death?

Accepted Answer

The answer of During which stage of death does the...

Question 13

People who are __________ are likely to have more severe death concerns.

Accepted Answer

Depression is often associated with heightened death concerns and thoughts, as individuals with depression may experience feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. A, C, and D are not necessarily indicative of having more severe death concerns.

Question 14

Which of the following is true about death and dying?

Accepted Answer

Studies show that most people desire a "death with dignity" which includes respect, comfort, and a sense of control.

Question 15

Walter states that the thought of never feeling anything again after he dies upsets him. He is also frightened by the total isolation of death. Walter is experiencing __________.

Accepted Answer

Walter is experiencing death anxiety, which is a common fear or concern related to death and the unknown aspect of what happens after death. This is evidenced by his upset at the thought of never feeling anything again and his fear of isolation in death. Mortality refers to the fact that all humans will eventually die, while morbidity refers to the presence of illness or disease. Isolation is a related concern to death anxiety, but it does not capture the full extent of Walter's fear.

Question 16

Which of the following is true about how we die?

Accepted Answer

Option A acknowledges the importance of a person's life and the dignity they have in death. It reflects the idea that how a person lives their life is more significant than how they die. Option B is incorrect because there is a need for a definition of death to determine when to halt treatment or to declare a person deceased for legal and ethical reasons. Option C is also incorrect because the brain death standard is not always universally accepted, and there may be differences in how it is interpreted in different countries or jurisdictions. Option D is incorrect because while medical science has advanced in end-of-life care, it cannot guarantee an idealized, easy end to life for everyone.

Question 17

In the days or hours before death, __________.

Accepted Answer

The body begins to shut down and blood circulation decreases, causing the hands and feet to feel cool.

Question 18

Biyu was in a skiing accident. She suffered traumatic head injuries when she came in contact with a tree. Biyu's cerebral cortex no longer registers electrical activity, but her brain stem remains active. Biyu __________.

Accepted Answer

Biyu has entered a persistent vegetative state where her brain stem is active, but her cerebral cortex is no longer registering any activity. This means that she is not clinically dead, but she has lost all cognitive function and cannot communicate or interact with her environment.

Question 19

During the clinical death phase, __________.

Accepted Answer

During the clinical death phase, the heartbeat, circulation, breathing, and brain functioning stop. While resuscitation may still be possible at this point, it is a critical moment for potentially preventing permanent death. The brain stem continues to function during this phase.

Question 20

Mr. Grisham believes that he will continue to live on through his children or through his work or personal influence. Mr. Grisham has developed __________.

Accepted Answer

Mr. Grisham's belief that he will continue to live on through his children or through his work or personal influence suggests that he has developed a concept known as symbolic immortality, which involves the belief that one's legacy or impact will live on after death.

Quiz 19: Death, Dying, and Bereavement