Bereavement and Grief Support
Bereavement and Grief Support ( 4 Questions)
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?
"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.
"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.
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.
"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.
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.