Foundations Exam 3 Chapter 44 & 45 Practice
NCLEX Questions With Complete Answers
A nurse midwife is assisting a patient whose birth plan states she is firmly committed to
natural childbirth. When informed the infant is in distress and a cesarean delivery is
necessary, the pregnant patient sobs inconsolably, calling herself a failure. The nurse
offers emotional support based on what likely types of losses? Select all that apply.
a. Actual
b. Perceived
c. Psychological
d. Anticipatory
e. Physical
f. Maturational - ANSWER a, b, c. The losses experienced by the pregnant patient are
actual, perceived, and psychological. Actual loss can be recognized by others as well as
by the person sustaining the loss; perceived loss is experienced by the person but is
intangible to others; and psychological loss is a loss that is felt emotionally as opposed
to physically. Anticipatory loss occurs when one grieves prior to the actual loss;
physical loss is tangible and perceived by others; and maturational loss is experienced
as a result of natural developmental processes.
A hospice nurse who cared for a dying patient and their family documents that the family
is experiencing a period of mourning. Which behaviors would the nurse expect to see at
this stage? Select all that apply.
a. The family arranges for a funeral for their loved one.
b. The family arranges for a memorial scholarship for their loved one.
c. The coroner pronounces the patient's death.
d. The family arranges for hospice for their loved one.
e. The patient is diagnosed with terminal cancer.
f. The patient's daughter writes a poem expressing her sorrow. - ANSWER a, b, f.
Mourning refers to the actions and expressions of grief, including the symbols and
ceremonies (e.g., a funeral or final celebration of life) that make up the outward
expressions of grief. It is a period of grief and acceptance, as the person learns to deal
with their loss. A diagnosis of cancer and the coroner's pronouncing the patient's death
, are not behaviors of the family during a period of mourning. Arranging for hospice care
precedes a patient's death.
An older adult who recently moved into a long-term care facility tells the nurse their only
son died 20 years ago, and they haven't enjoyed life since. When giving report to the
next shift, the nurse tells the oncoming nurse the resident seems to be suffering from
which type of grief?
a. Somatic
b. Anticipatory
c. Unresolved
d. Inhibited - ANSWER c. Dysfunctional grief is abnormal or distorted; it may be either
unresolved or inhibited. In unresolved grief, a person may have trouble expressing
feelings of loss or may deny them; it may also describe a state of bereavement that
extends over a lengthy period. With inhibited grief, a person suppresses feelings of grief
and may instead manifest somatic (body) symptoms, such as abdominal pain or heart
palpitations. Anticipatory loss or grief occurs when a person displays loss and grief
behaviors for a loss that has yet to take place.
A home health care nurse has been caring for a patient with advanced AIDS who is
working through the stages of death and dying. The nurse documents the patient has
entered the acceptance phase of death when the patient makes which statement?
a. "I've made peace with everyone, and I'm actually ready to move on."
b. "God cannot possibly be good if He allows people to get this horrible disease."
c. "I just want to get better. A friend of mine had success with a plant-based diet."
d. "The test results must be mixed up with someone else's; I feel better now." - ANSWER
a. According to Kübler-Ross, when the patient reaches the stage of acceptance, they
feel tranquil. This patient has accepted the reality of death and is prepared for the
transition to death.
A patient tells the nurse it is unfair that they should have to die now when they have
finally made peace with their family. Which response by the nurse would be most
appropriate?
a. "I'm sorry you're feeling this way when death is inevitable."
b. "It does seem unfair. Tell me more about how you are feeling."
NCLEX Questions With Complete Answers
A nurse midwife is assisting a patient whose birth plan states she is firmly committed to
natural childbirth. When informed the infant is in distress and a cesarean delivery is
necessary, the pregnant patient sobs inconsolably, calling herself a failure. The nurse
offers emotional support based on what likely types of losses? Select all that apply.
a. Actual
b. Perceived
c. Psychological
d. Anticipatory
e. Physical
f. Maturational - ANSWER a, b, c. The losses experienced by the pregnant patient are
actual, perceived, and psychological. Actual loss can be recognized by others as well as
by the person sustaining the loss; perceived loss is experienced by the person but is
intangible to others; and psychological loss is a loss that is felt emotionally as opposed
to physically. Anticipatory loss occurs when one grieves prior to the actual loss;
physical loss is tangible and perceived by others; and maturational loss is experienced
as a result of natural developmental processes.
A hospice nurse who cared for a dying patient and their family documents that the family
is experiencing a period of mourning. Which behaviors would the nurse expect to see at
this stage? Select all that apply.
a. The family arranges for a funeral for their loved one.
b. The family arranges for a memorial scholarship for their loved one.
c. The coroner pronounces the patient's death.
d. The family arranges for hospice for their loved one.
e. The patient is diagnosed with terminal cancer.
f. The patient's daughter writes a poem expressing her sorrow. - ANSWER a, b, f.
Mourning refers to the actions and expressions of grief, including the symbols and
ceremonies (e.g., a funeral or final celebration of life) that make up the outward
expressions of grief. It is a period of grief and acceptance, as the person learns to deal
with their loss. A diagnosis of cancer and the coroner's pronouncing the patient's death
, are not behaviors of the family during a period of mourning. Arranging for hospice care
precedes a patient's death.
An older adult who recently moved into a long-term care facility tells the nurse their only
son died 20 years ago, and they haven't enjoyed life since. When giving report to the
next shift, the nurse tells the oncoming nurse the resident seems to be suffering from
which type of grief?
a. Somatic
b. Anticipatory
c. Unresolved
d. Inhibited - ANSWER c. Dysfunctional grief is abnormal or distorted; it may be either
unresolved or inhibited. In unresolved grief, a person may have trouble expressing
feelings of loss or may deny them; it may also describe a state of bereavement that
extends over a lengthy period. With inhibited grief, a person suppresses feelings of grief
and may instead manifest somatic (body) symptoms, such as abdominal pain or heart
palpitations. Anticipatory loss or grief occurs when a person displays loss and grief
behaviors for a loss that has yet to take place.
A home health care nurse has been caring for a patient with advanced AIDS who is
working through the stages of death and dying. The nurse documents the patient has
entered the acceptance phase of death when the patient makes which statement?
a. "I've made peace with everyone, and I'm actually ready to move on."
b. "God cannot possibly be good if He allows people to get this horrible disease."
c. "I just want to get better. A friend of mine had success with a plant-based diet."
d. "The test results must be mixed up with someone else's; I feel better now." - ANSWER
a. According to Kübler-Ross, when the patient reaches the stage of acceptance, they
feel tranquil. This patient has accepted the reality of death and is prepared for the
transition to death.
A patient tells the nurse it is unfair that they should have to die now when they have
finally made peace with their family. Which response by the nurse would be most
appropriate?
a. "I'm sorry you're feeling this way when death is inevitable."
b. "It does seem unfair. Tell me more about how you are feeling."
