End-of-life Care and Palliative Care > Fundamentals
Exam Review
Bereavement and Grief Support
Total Questions : 4
Showing 4 questions, Sign in for moreA nurse is caring for a client who has just experienced the loss of a spouse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to facilitate the grieving process?
Explanation
Rationale: The nurse should encourage the client to express their feelings and emotions, as this can help them cope with the loss and work through the stages of grief. Suppressing or denying emotions can prolong or complicate the grieving process.
Incorrect options:
B) Advise the client to avoid reminders of their spouse for a while. - This is an incorrect action, as avoiding reminders of the spouse can hinder the acceptance of the loss and delay the resolution of grief. The nurse should help the client to acknowledge and honor the memories of their spouse, not avoid them.
C) Suggest the client to join a support group as soon as possible. - This is an incorrect action, as joining a support group may not be appropriate or helpful for every client. The nurse should assess the client's readiness and willingness to participate in a support group, and respect their preferences and choices. Some clients may prefer individual counseling or informal support from family and friends.
D) Tell the client that time will heal their pain and sorrow. - This is an incorrect action, as telling the client that time will heal their pain and sorrow can minimize or invalidate their feelings and experiences. The nurse should acknowledge and empathize with the client's pain and sorrow, and avoid clichés or platitudes that may sound insensitive or dismissive.
A client is receiving hospice care at home for terminal cancer. The client's family members are present and providing care. A nurse visits the client regularly to monitor their condition and provide support. The nurse observes that the family members are showing signs of anticipatory grief, such as anxiety, depression, anger, and guilt. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement to assist the family members?
Explanation
Rationale: The nurse should provide opportunities for the family members to share their feelings and concerns, as this can help them cope with anticipatory grief and prepare for the impending loss. The nurse should listen actively and empathically, and validate their emotions.
Incorrect options:
A) Encourage the family members to focus on the positive aspects of the situation. - This is an incorrect intervention, as encouraging the family members to focus on the positive aspects of the situation can deny or minimize their negative emotions and experiences. The nurse should acknowledge and respect both positive and negative aspects of the situation, and avoid imposing unrealistic optimism or expectations on the family members.
B) Educate the family members about the signs and stages of dying. - This is an incorrect intervention, as educating the family members about the signs and stages of dying may not be helpful or appropriate at this time. The nurse should assess the family members' level of knowledge and understanding about the dying process, and provide information only if they request it or consent to it. Some family members may not be ready or willing to learn about this topic, as it may increase their anxiety or distress.
C) Refer the family members to a mental health professional for counseling. - This is an incorrect intervention, as referring the family members to a mental health professional for counseling may not be necessary or beneficial for every family member. The nurse should assess the family members' coping skills and resources, and offer referrals only if they indicate a need or interest in counseling. Some family members may prefer other sources of support, such as spiritual leaders, friends, or community groups.
A nurse is conducting a bereavement follow-up call with a client who lost their partner six months ago. The client reports that they still feel sad and lonely, but they have resumed some of their normal activities, such as going to work, socializing with friends, and volunteering at a local shelter. The client also says that they have started dating someone new, but they feel guilty about it. How should the nurse respond?
Explanation
Rationale: The nurse should respond in a way that acknowledges and validates the client's feelings, and reassures them that they are coping well with their loss. The nurse should also help the client to understand that dating someone new does not mean that they are betraying or forgetting their partner, and that they have the right to pursue happiness and intimacy.
Incorrect options:
A) "It sounds like you are moving on with your life. That's good." - This is an incorrect response, as it implies that the client is leaving their partner behind or erasing their memory. The nurse should avoid using the term "moving on", as it can sound insensitive or dismissive of the client's grief. The nurse should use the term "moving forward" instead, as it conveys a sense of continuity and respect for the past relationship.
B) "It's normal to feel guilty about dating someone new. You should talk to your partner's family and friends about it." - This is an incorrect response, as it suggests that the client needs permission or approval from their partner's family and friends to date someone new. The nurse should respect the client's autonomy and privacy, and avoid interfering with their personal decisions. The nurse should also avoid implying that the client's guilt is normal or justified, as it can reinforce their negative feelings and beliefs.
D) "It's too soon to date someone new. You should wait until you are completely over your partner." - This is an incorrect response, as it imposes a rigid timeline or expectation on the client's grieving process. The nurse should recognize that grief is individual and variable, and that there is no right or wrong time to date someone new. The nurse should also avoid implying that the client will ever be completely over their partner, as this can deny or minimize the significance of their past relationship.
A client is admitted to the hospital for a surgical procedure. The client tells the nurse that they are worried about the surgery, as they have a history of complications from anesthesia. The client also reveals that they lost their sibling a year ago due to a surgical error. The nurse suspects that the client is experiencing unresolved grief. Which of the following findings supports this suspicion?
Explanation
Rationale: The nurse should suspect that the client is experiencing unresolved grief if they avoid talking about their sibling or the surgery, as this can indicate denial, repression, or isolation of their feelings and thoughts. Unresolved grief can interfere with the client's emotional and physical well-being, and increase their risk of complications from surgery.
Incorrect options:
A) The client expresses anger and resentment towards the health care system. - This is not a finding that supports the suspicion of unresolved grief, as expressing anger and resentment towards the health care system can be a normal and healthy reaction to the loss of a sibling due to a surgical error. Anger is one of the stages of grief, and expressing it can help the client cope with the injustice and pain of the loss.
B) The client keeps a photo of their sibling on their bedside table. - This is not a finding that supports the suspicion of unresolved grief, as keeping a photo of their sibling on their bedside table can be a positive and adaptive way of honoring and remembering their sibling. Maintaining a connection with the deceased loved one can help the client accept and integrate the loss into their life.
C) The client requests a visit from a chaplain before the surgery. - This is not a finding that supports the suspicion of unresolved grief, as requesting a visit from a chaplain before the surgery can be a sign of spiritual coping and seeking comfort and guidance from a higher power. Spirituality can be an important source of support and meaning for the client during times of stress and uncertainty.
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