Exam 37: The Experience of Loss, Death, and Grief

"I know it seems strange, but I feel guilty being pregnant after the death of my son last year," said a woman during her routine obstetrical examination. The nurse spends extra time with this woman, helping her realize bonding with this unborn child will not mean she is replacing the one who died. Which nursing technique does this demonstrate?

A nursing assistive personnel (NAP) is caring for a dying patient. Which action by the NAP will cause the nurse to intervene?

A previously toilet trained toddler has started wetting again. A nurse is gathering a health history from the grandparent. Which health history finding will the nurse most likely consider as the cause of the wetting?

The mother of a child who died recently keeps the child's room intact. Family members are encouraging her to redecorate and move forward in life. Which type of grief will the home health nurse recognize the mother is experiencing?

A severely depressed patient cannot state any positive attributes to life. The nurse patiently sits with this patient and assists the patient to identify several activities the patient is actually looking forward to in life. Which spiritual concept is the nurse trying to promote?

A nurse lets the transplant coordinator make a request for organ and tissue donation from the patient's family. What is the primary rationale for the nurse's action?

A veteran is hospitalized after surgical amputation of both lower extremities owing to injuries sustained during military service. Which type of loss will the nurse focus the plan of care on for this patient?

A palliative team is caring for a dying patient in severe pain. Which action is the priority?

A nurse is documenting end-of-life care. Which information will the nurse include in the patient's electronic medical record? (Select all that apply.)

A female nurse is called into the supervisor's office regarding her deteriorating work performance since the loss of her spouse 2 years ago. The woman begins sobbing and says that she is "falling apart" at home as well. Which type of grief is the female nurse experiencing?

A nurse is caring for a dying patient. One of the nurse's goals is to promote dignity and validation of the dying person's life. Which action will the nurse take to best achieve this goal?

A cancer patient asks the nurse what the criteria are for hospice care. Which information should the nurse share with the patient?

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?

An Orthodox Jewish rabbi has been pronounced dead. The nursing assistive personnel respectfully ask family members to leave the room and go home as postmortem care is provided. Which statement from the supervising nurse is best?

A patient cancels a scheduled appointment because the patient will be attending a Shivah for a family member. Which response by the nurse is best?

A terminally ill patient is experiencing constipation secondary to pain medication. Which is the best method for the nurse to improve the patient's constipation problem?

A nurse is caring for a dying patient. When is the best time for the nurse to discuss end-of-life care?

In preparation for the eventual death of a female hospice patient of the Muslim faith, the nurse organizes a meeting of all hospice caregivers. A plan of care to be followed when this patient dies is prepared. Which information will be included in the plan?

A nurse is providing postmortem care. Which action will the nurse take?

A nurse encounters a family who experienced the death of their adult child last year. The parents are talking about the upcoming anniversary of their child's death. The nurse spends time with them discussing their child's life and death. Which nursing principle does the nurse's action best demonstrate?