A patient's father died a week ago. Both the patient and the patient's spouse talk about the death. The patient's spouse is experiencing headaches and fatigue. The patient is having trouble sleeping, has no appetite, and gets choked up most of the time. How should the nurse interpret these findings as the basis for a follow-up assessment?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Both are likely grieving from the loss of the patient's father. Symptoms of normal grief include headache, fatigue, insomnia, appetite disturbance, and choking sensation. Different people manifest different symptoms. There is no data to support the spouse is angry or malingering. There is no data to support the patient is dying or ill. Denial is assessed when the person cannot accept the loss; both talked about the loss.

A Patient's Father Died a Week Ago