VARCAROLIS FOUNDATIONS CHAPTER 30
DYING DEATH AND GRIEVING EXAM SCRIPT
2026 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
SOLUTIONS
◉ 2. Four teenagers died in an automobile accident. Six months later,
which behavior by the parents best demonstrates acceptance of the
tragedy? The parents who
a. isolate themselves at home.
b. return immediately to employment.
c. forbid other teens in the household to drive a car.
d. create a scholarship fund at their child's high school. Answer:
ANSWER: D
Loss of a child is among the highest risk situations for maladaptive
grieving. The parents who create a scholarship fund are openly
expressing their feelings and memorializing their child. The other
parents in this question are isolating themselves and/or denying
their feelings.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 30-3, 21, 42 (Box 30-5) TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
,◉ 3. After a spouse's death, an adult repeatedly says, "I should have
recognized what was happening and been more helpful." This adult
is experiencing
a. depression.
b. bargaining.
c. anger.
d. guilt.. Answer: ANSWER: D
Guilt is expressed by the bereaved person's self-reproach. Anger,
depression, and bargaining cannot be assessed from data given in
the scenario.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Page 30-22 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
◉ 4. A widower tells friends, "I am taking my neighbor out for
dinner. It's time for me to be more sociable again." Considering the
stages of grief described by Ku bler-Ross, which stage is evident?
a. Anger
b. Denial
c. Depression
d. Acceptance. Answer: ANSWER: D
As an individual accepts loss, the person renews interest in people
and activities. The person is seeking to move into new relationships.
, The patient's comment demonstrates an attempt to regain control.
Bargaining is evidenced by people reviewing what could have been
done differently. While the person may also experience occasional
anger or sadness, the comment speaks directly to acceptance.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Pages 30-3, 22 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
◉ 5. After the death of his wife, a man says, "I can't live without her
... she was my whole life." Select the nurse's most therapeutic reply.
a. "Each day will get a little better."
b. "Her death is a terrible loss for you."
c. "It's important to recognize that she is no longer suffering."
d. "Your friends will help you cope with this change in your life.".
Answer: ANSWER: B
A statement that validates the bereaved person's loss is more helpful
than commonplace cliche s. It signifies understanding. The other
options are cliche s.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 30-7, 33 (Table 30-1), 35 (Table 30-3)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client Needs:
Psychosocial Integrity
DYING DEATH AND GRIEVING EXAM SCRIPT
2026 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
SOLUTIONS
◉ 2. Four teenagers died in an automobile accident. Six months later,
which behavior by the parents best demonstrates acceptance of the
tragedy? The parents who
a. isolate themselves at home.
b. return immediately to employment.
c. forbid other teens in the household to drive a car.
d. create a scholarship fund at their child's high school. Answer:
ANSWER: D
Loss of a child is among the highest risk situations for maladaptive
grieving. The parents who create a scholarship fund are openly
expressing their feelings and memorializing their child. The other
parents in this question are isolating themselves and/or denying
their feelings.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 30-3, 21, 42 (Box 30-5) TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
,◉ 3. After a spouse's death, an adult repeatedly says, "I should have
recognized what was happening and been more helpful." This adult
is experiencing
a. depression.
b. bargaining.
c. anger.
d. guilt.. Answer: ANSWER: D
Guilt is expressed by the bereaved person's self-reproach. Anger,
depression, and bargaining cannot be assessed from data given in
the scenario.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Page 30-22 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
◉ 4. A widower tells friends, "I am taking my neighbor out for
dinner. It's time for me to be more sociable again." Considering the
stages of grief described by Ku bler-Ross, which stage is evident?
a. Anger
b. Denial
c. Depression
d. Acceptance. Answer: ANSWER: D
As an individual accepts loss, the person renews interest in people
and activities. The person is seeking to move into new relationships.
, The patient's comment demonstrates an attempt to regain control.
Bargaining is evidenced by people reviewing what could have been
done differently. While the person may also experience occasional
anger or sadness, the comment speaks directly to acceptance.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Pages 30-3, 22 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
◉ 5. After the death of his wife, a man says, "I can't live without her
... she was my whole life." Select the nurse's most therapeutic reply.
a. "Each day will get a little better."
b. "Her death is a terrible loss for you."
c. "It's important to recognize that she is no longer suffering."
d. "Your friends will help you cope with this change in your life.".
Answer: ANSWER: B
A statement that validates the bereaved person's loss is more helpful
than commonplace cliche s. It signifies understanding. The other
options are cliche s.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 30-7, 33 (Table 30-1), 35 (Table 30-3)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client Needs:
Psychosocial Integrity
