Exam 33: Care for the Dying and for Those Who Grieve

A child drowned while swimming in a local lake 2 years ago. Which behaviours show the child's parents are mourning in an effective way? Select all that apply.

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?

After a spouse's death, a patient repeatedly says, "I should have recognized what was happening and been more helpful." This individual is experiencing which of the following?

A patient who was widowed 18 months ago says, "I can remember good times we had without getting upset. Sometimes I even think about the disappointments. I am still trying to become accustomed to sleeping in the bed all alone."

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

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 husband whose wife is terminally ill says, "I don't want to cry in front of her. I need to be strong for her." Select the nurse's most therapeutic response.

Family members of a dying patient ask the nurse, "What can we say when our loved one says, 'Death is coming soon?'" To promote communication, which response could the nurse suggest for family members?

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?

The spouse of a patient being cared for at home by hospice angrily tells the nurse, "Care provided by the aide is inadequate, so I must do everything myself. Why is this happening? Can't someone help?" The hospice nurse should do which of the following?

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? Select all that apply.

Which is considered the hallmark of hospice palliative care?

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.

Which patients meet criteria for hospice services? Select all that apply.

A woman grieving her husband's sudden death tells the nurse, "Yesterday, I saw my husband walk through the door and smile at me, but then he just faded away." Select the nurse's most appropriate action.

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 wife received news that her husband died of heart failure, and she called her family to come to the hospital. She angrily tells the nurse who cared for him, "He would still be alive if you had given him your undivided attention." Select the nurse's best response.

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.

Which statements demonstrate aspects of spirituality in end-of-life care? Select all that apply.

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?