Question 1

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's theory __________.

Accepted Answer

Kübler-Ross's theory has been criticized for not being universally applicable, for being too linear and for being overly prescriptive in terms of the stages of grief. It is important to note that not everyone goes through all five stages and that the experience of grief is unique to each individual.

Question 2

Most terminally ill people who reach Kübler-Ross's acceptance stage __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Most terminally ill people who reach Kübler-Ross's...

Question 3

Which statement is true about Kübler-Ross's theory?

Accepted Answer

Kübler-Ross's theory includes five stages of grief that dying people may experience. It is not meant to be seen as a linear, step-by-step process that all dying individuals follow. However, some health professionals have been criticized for insensitively pushing patients through the five stages of the theory, which goes against the theory's intended use as a framework for understanding the end-of-life experience. Additionally, not all dying individuals will necessarily experience all five stages, and they may feel and respond to their impending death in many different ways beyond these five stages.

Question 4

Mrs. Lewandowski is dying. She says, "I feel like I'm watching a ticking time bomb … like there is no future." Mrs. Lewandowski regards dying as __________.

Accepted Answer

Mrs. Lewandowski's statement, "I feel like I'm watching a ticking time bomb … like there is no future," suggests a sense of entrapment and impending doom, which aligns with the concept of dying as imprisonment. This metaphor indicates a feeling of being trapped with an inevitable, negative outcome, without the freedom or possibility to change the situation, which is characteristic of the imprisonment perspective.

Question 5

The five reactions Kübler-Ross observed are best viewed as __________.

Accepted Answer

The five reactions Kübler-Ross observed, often referred to as the stages of grief, are best viewed as coping strategies rather than a fixed sequence or universal stages. They are not inherently maladaptive but are ways individuals may respond to and manage their emotions when facing significant threats or loss.

Question 6

Dale regards dying as an experience to be transformed so as to make it more bearable. Which statement is most likely Dale's?

Accepted Answer

Dale sees dying as an experience to be transformed, and the statement "In my mind, I'm Harry Potter in the forbidden forest, waiting to meet Voldemort" suggests that he imagines himself in a different, more exciting scenario instead of focusing on the fear of dying.

Question 7

According to recent theorists, __________.

Accepted Answer

Recent theorists in the field of end-of-life care have emphasized the importance of individualized care and the recognition that there is no single strategy that will work best for every dying patient. They also stress the need for addressing any unfinished needs or regrets that a dying person may have, as well as the importance of reaching a state of acceptance, peace, or even joy in the face of death. However, there is no consensus among theorists that every patient goes through a specific phase, such as denial, upon being diagnosed as terminally ill.

Question 8

Ernestine is despondent about the impending loss of her life. She is experiencing which of Kübler-Ross's typical responses to the prospect of death?

Accepted Answer

Ernestine's despondency suggests that she is experiencing depression, which is one of the typical responses to the prospect of death according to Kübler-Ross's theory of the five stages of grief. The other stages include denial, bargaining, anger, and acceptance.

Question 9

While her mother lay dying, she told Marie, "I'm not afraid. I've read as much as I can about my disease, and I realize that I can handle anything." Marie's mother views dying as __________.

Accepted Answer

Marie's mother views dying as part of life's journey, as evidenced by her statement that she is not afraid and that she has read as much as she can about her disease. This suggests that she sees dying as a natural part of the cycle of life, rather than something to be feared or avoided.

Question 10

Mr. Frankel is dying. According to Kübler-Ross, Mr. Frankel's recognition that time is short and that he will not have a chance to do all he wants to do may promote which of the five typical responses to the prospect of death?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Mr. Frankel is dying. According to Kübler-Ross,...

Question 11

The most serious drawback to Kübler-Ross's theory of dying is that it __________.

Accepted Answer

Kübler-Ross's theory, while pioneering, has been criticized for not considering the broader contexts (cultural, social, personal) that influence how individuals experience and cope with dying, thus overlooking the complexities of the dying process.

Question 12

In which of Kübler-Ross's typical responses to dying would the person ask family members, friends, or God for extra time?

Accepted Answer

As per Kübler-Ross's stages of grief, bargaining is the typical response where a person may try to negotiate for more time or make deals with family, friends, or God in order to delay the inevitability of death.

Question 13

After Mrs. Booker was diagnosed with a terminal illness, she decided to consult with multiple specialists. According to Kübler-Ross, this decision is consistent with which of the five typical responses to the prospect of death?

Accepted Answer

The answer of After Mrs. Booker was diagnosed with a...

Question 14

According to Kübler-Ross, the dying person who reaches a state of peace __________.

Accepted Answer

According to Kübler-Ross, the dying person who reaches a state of peace usually does so in the last few days before death. This is when they have accepted the reality of their situation and have found peace with it. Option A is incorrect as avoiding discussions with doctors is a form of denial, which comes before acceptance. Option B is incorrect as bargaining is a stage before acceptance, and the person at this stage still hopes for more time. Option D is also incorrect as becoming despondent and depressed is a characteristic of the depression stage, which comes before acceptance.

Question 15

Family members who play the denial "game" __________.

Accepted Answer

Family members who play the denial "game" can make dying more difficult for patients by not acknowledging the reality of the situation and avoiding important conversations, which can lead to increased anxiety and uncertainty for the patient.

Question 16

In __________, terminally ill patients are often not told the truth of their prognosis, out of concern that telling might disrupt family relationships and harm patients' well-being.

Accepted Answer

In China, Korea, and Japan, it is common for terminally ill patients to be kept in the dark about their prognosis in order to maintain harmony within the family and avoid causing the patient distress. This practice is known as "saving face" or "face-saving" and is rooted in cultural beliefs about the importance of not causing disruption or loss of dignity.

Question 17

Yu is terminally ill. He says, "I was not ready to live until I was ready to die. This life is a lot better than the one before." Yu regards dying as __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Yu is terminally ill. He says, "I...

Question 18

Before Mr. Ortega died, he was able to restore his relationship with his brother. Because of this, Mr. Ortega's death made sense in terms of his pattern of living and values. He experienced a(n) __________ death.

Accepted Answer

An appropriate death is one that aligns with a person's values and patterns of behavior throughout their life. In this case, Mr. Ortega was able to restore his relationship with his brother before his death, indicating that he was at peace with his past and had resolved any conflicts or issues he had. Therefore, his death can be considered appropriate.

Question 19

For a dying person, profound depression __________.

Accepted Answer

Profound depression impairs the immune response in a dying person. Research has shown that depression and stress activate the sympathetic nervous system, which in turn suppresses the immune system, leading to a decrease in natural killer cell activity and an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines. This can have negative implications for the dying person, who is already vulnerable to infections and other illnesses.

Question 20

__________ are usually more distressed during the dying process.

Accepted Answer

Poorly adjusted individuals may have difficulty accepting their own mortality and may experience greater distress during the dying process. People with strong relationships and few disappointments in life may have more support and a sense of closure, while extremely well-adjusted individuals may have developed acceptance and coping strategies for facing their mortality.

Quiz 19: Death, Dying, and Bereavement