Exam 31: Care for the Dying and for Those Who Grieve

A terminally ill patient says, "I know I will never get well, but . . . " and the patient's voice trails off. Select the most therapeutic response by the nurse.

A patient has just died and the spouse has just received notification. The nurse who most recently cared for the patient is approached by the bereaved spouse who says angrily, "My spouse would still be alive if you had given your undivided attention." Which analysis applies?

Nursing staff spend minimal time with a patient terminally ill with AIDS. The patient confides in the nurse leader, "I am having many confusing emotions. Sometimes I feel angry, sometimes afraid, sometimes abandoned." What is the most likely reason for the staff's avoidance of this patient?

A child drowned while swimming in a local lake 2 years ago. Which behaviour indicates the child's parents are mourning in an effective way?

A patient with a new diagnosis of cancer says, "My father died of pancreatic cancer. I took care of him during his illness, so I know what is ahead for me." Which nursing diagnosis applies?

A bystander was killed during a robbery 2 weeks ago. His widow, who has schizoaffective disorder, cries spontaneously when talking about his death. Select the nurse's most therapeutic response.

A father and son have a long history of hostility and conflict. As the father dies, he finally expresses his love, but the son is unable to respond verbally. Which gift of resolving relationships is most important to address with the son?

Which is a pathological intensification of death and outcry?

When is the grieving process more difficult?

Which statements demonstrate aspects of spirituality in end-of-life care?

A widower tells friends, "I am going to take my neighbour out for dinner. It's time for me to be more sociable again." Which phenomenon of bereavement is evident?

A recently widowed patient tells the nurse, "I am having epigastric discomfort. I think I have developed an ulcer." Diagnostic tests are negative. Which phenomenon of bereavement is evident?

Which is considered the hallmark of hospice palliative care?

A nurse cared for a terminally ill patient for over a month and looked forward to spending time with this patient. After the patient died, the nurse began to sleep poorly, lacked energy, and felt depressed. Eventually the nurse explained these feelings to a mentor. How should the mentor counsel the nurse?

A woman was awakened one morning by a police officer after her husband died while jogging. For the next 3 days, the widow stoically went through the funeral ritual in a state of numbness. Friends tried to get her to vent her feelings by crying. Which statements offer likely explanations regarding the widow's inability to cry?

Children of a widow confer with the nurse because their mother is depressed and lonely. Her days are filled with aimless activities. Family members are concerned about her and ask, "What can we do? It`s been over 6 months since Dad died." What should the nurse counsel the family?

A nurse asks a hospice palliative care nurse, "Who should be referred for hospice palliative care?" Select the correct reply.

As death approaches, a patient with AIDS says, "I do not have enough energy for many visitors anymore, and I am embarrassed about how I look. I only want to see my parents and sister." What action should the nurse take?

A nurse talks with a woman who recently learned that her husband died while jogging. Select the appropriate statement for the nurse.

Which finding indicates successful completion of an individual's grieving process?