NSG 3130 EXAM 3 PRACTICE EXAM WITH 200 COMPLETE REAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH RATIONALES |MCQs|ALREADY
GRADED A+ (BRAND NEW!!)
1. Which of the following are the four main types of grief identified in nursing
literature?
A) Acute, chronic, situational, masked
B) Normal, anticipatory, disenfranchised, complicated
C) Physical, emotional, spiritual, social
D) Denial, anger, bargaining, depression
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The four recognized types of grief are normal (common response),
anticipatory (occurs before actual loss), disenfranchised (not socially
acknowledged), and complicated (prolonged, interfering with function). The other
options list stages or categories not classified as primary grief types.
2. A patient whose spouse died three years ago still cannot return to work, has
withdrawn from all social activities, and experiences intense yearning every day.
This best describes which type of grief?
A) Anticipatory grief
B) Normal grief
C) Disenfranchised grief
D) Dysfunctional grief
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Dysfunctional grief lasts longer than expected and disrupts daily
functioning. Normal grief gradually lessens; anticipatory grief occurs before the
loss; disenfranchised grief is not socially supported.
3. A nurse notices that a patient has been unable to accept the death of a child,
has developed severe depression, and has started abusing alcohol. Which signs of
dysfunctional grief are present?
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,A) Denial of death and substance use
B) Acceptance and renewed goals
C) Mild sadness and occasional crying
D) Increased social support and normal sleep
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Signs of dysfunctional grief include denial of death, intense
yearning/anger, inability to perform daily activities, and substance
use/depression. Normal grief does not include these severe features.
4. Chronic dysfunctional grief is characterized by:
A) Grief symptoms that are completely absent for years
B) Grief that is exaggerated and includes self-destructive behavior
C) Grief that lasts an unusually long time with no progression toward resolution
D) Grief that is expressed only through physical symptoms
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chronic grief is prolonged and does not move toward acceptance.
Delayed grief appears later; exaggerated grief involves extreme behaviors;
masked grief is expressed through physical symptoms.
5. A patient hides all photos of their deceased partner and refuses to speak about
them. Years later, they suddenly experience intense grief after a minor trigger.
This is an example of:
A) Chronic grief
B) Delayed grief
C) Exaggerated grief
D) Masked grief
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Delayed grief is suppressed or postponed and surfaces long after the
loss. Chronic grief is unending; exaggerated grief is extreme; masked grief is
hidden behind physical complaints.
6. Which factor is LEAST likely to influence the grieving process?
A) Cause of death
B) The color of the deceased’s hair
2|Page
,C) Developmental stage of the bereaved
D) Cultural and spiritual beliefs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Grief is affected by developmental stage, significance of loss,
culture/spirituality, socioeconomic status, support systems, and cause of death.
Physical appearance of the deceased is not a recognized factor.
7. When assessing a grieving patient, the nurse should prioritize understanding:
A) The exact date of the loss
B) The patient’s financial assets
C) The meaning of the loss to the patient
D) The number of visitors the patient receives
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The meaning of the loss is central to the grief experience. While other
factors are relevant, the personal significance guides appropriate nursing
interventions.
8. A nurse documents “Complicated grieving” as a nursing diagnosis. Which
outcome is most appropriate for this patient?
A) Patient states, “I am fine” one week after the loss
B) Patient verbalizes acceptance of loss and identifies new life goals within an
expected time frame
C) Patient avoids all reminders of the deceased
D) Patient reports no further sadness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Desired outcomes for complicated grieving include acceptance,
expression of feelings, use of support systems, and realistic planning. Avoidance
and denial are maladaptive.
9. Which nursing intervention is most therapeutic for a patient experiencing grief?
A) Telling the patient “Don’t cry, be strong”
B) Changing the subject when the patient mentions the loss
C) Encouraging expression of feelings and using therapeutic silence
D) Discouraging spiritual discussions to avoid emotional pain
3|Page
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Encouraging expression, using presence and silence, and supporting
spiritual needs are key interventions. Clichés and avoidance are non-therapeutic.
10. A nurse evaluates that grief interventions have been effective when the
patient:
A) Never mentions the deceased again
B) Resumes normal activities and uses support resources
C) Cries every time the deceased is mentioned
D) Refuses to attend a support group
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Positive outcomes include verbalizing acceptance, resuming activities,
setting new goals, and using support systems. Persistent intense grief or total
avoidance indicates need for further intervention.
11. When caring for a terminally ill patient, the nurse notes that the patient’s
family members are already withdrawing and expressing sadness. This is known
as:
A) Disenfranchised grief
B) Masked grief
C) Anticipatory grieving
D) Exaggerated grief
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Anticipatory grieving begins before the actual loss, affecting both
patients and families. It involves grieving the loss in advance.
12. A nurse is caring for a dying patient. The family yells at the nurse, accusing the
staff of not doing enough. The nurse’s best response is based on understanding
that:
A) The family is personally attacking the nurse
B) The anger is often part of the grief process and not personal
C) The nurse should argue back to defend the care provided
D) The family should be removed from the unit
4|Page
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH RATIONALES |MCQs|ALREADY
GRADED A+ (BRAND NEW!!)
1. Which of the following are the four main types of grief identified in nursing
literature?
A) Acute, chronic, situational, masked
B) Normal, anticipatory, disenfranchised, complicated
C) Physical, emotional, spiritual, social
D) Denial, anger, bargaining, depression
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The four recognized types of grief are normal (common response),
anticipatory (occurs before actual loss), disenfranchised (not socially
acknowledged), and complicated (prolonged, interfering with function). The other
options list stages or categories not classified as primary grief types.
2. A patient whose spouse died three years ago still cannot return to work, has
withdrawn from all social activities, and experiences intense yearning every day.
This best describes which type of grief?
A) Anticipatory grief
B) Normal grief
C) Disenfranchised grief
D) Dysfunctional grief
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Dysfunctional grief lasts longer than expected and disrupts daily
functioning. Normal grief gradually lessens; anticipatory grief occurs before the
loss; disenfranchised grief is not socially supported.
3. A nurse notices that a patient has been unable to accept the death of a child,
has developed severe depression, and has started abusing alcohol. Which signs of
dysfunctional grief are present?
1|Page
,A) Denial of death and substance use
B) Acceptance and renewed goals
C) Mild sadness and occasional crying
D) Increased social support and normal sleep
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Signs of dysfunctional grief include denial of death, intense
yearning/anger, inability to perform daily activities, and substance
use/depression. Normal grief does not include these severe features.
4. Chronic dysfunctional grief is characterized by:
A) Grief symptoms that are completely absent for years
B) Grief that is exaggerated and includes self-destructive behavior
C) Grief that lasts an unusually long time with no progression toward resolution
D) Grief that is expressed only through physical symptoms
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chronic grief is prolonged and does not move toward acceptance.
Delayed grief appears later; exaggerated grief involves extreme behaviors;
masked grief is expressed through physical symptoms.
5. A patient hides all photos of their deceased partner and refuses to speak about
them. Years later, they suddenly experience intense grief after a minor trigger.
This is an example of:
A) Chronic grief
B) Delayed grief
C) Exaggerated grief
D) Masked grief
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Delayed grief is suppressed or postponed and surfaces long after the
loss. Chronic grief is unending; exaggerated grief is extreme; masked grief is
hidden behind physical complaints.
6. Which factor is LEAST likely to influence the grieving process?
A) Cause of death
B) The color of the deceased’s hair
2|Page
,C) Developmental stage of the bereaved
D) Cultural and spiritual beliefs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Grief is affected by developmental stage, significance of loss,
culture/spirituality, socioeconomic status, support systems, and cause of death.
Physical appearance of the deceased is not a recognized factor.
7. When assessing a grieving patient, the nurse should prioritize understanding:
A) The exact date of the loss
B) The patient’s financial assets
C) The meaning of the loss to the patient
D) The number of visitors the patient receives
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The meaning of the loss is central to the grief experience. While other
factors are relevant, the personal significance guides appropriate nursing
interventions.
8. A nurse documents “Complicated grieving” as a nursing diagnosis. Which
outcome is most appropriate for this patient?
A) Patient states, “I am fine” one week after the loss
B) Patient verbalizes acceptance of loss and identifies new life goals within an
expected time frame
C) Patient avoids all reminders of the deceased
D) Patient reports no further sadness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Desired outcomes for complicated grieving include acceptance,
expression of feelings, use of support systems, and realistic planning. Avoidance
and denial are maladaptive.
9. Which nursing intervention is most therapeutic for a patient experiencing grief?
A) Telling the patient “Don’t cry, be strong”
B) Changing the subject when the patient mentions the loss
C) Encouraging expression of feelings and using therapeutic silence
D) Discouraging spiritual discussions to avoid emotional pain
3|Page
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Encouraging expression, using presence and silence, and supporting
spiritual needs are key interventions. Clichés and avoidance are non-therapeutic.
10. A nurse evaluates that grief interventions have been effective when the
patient:
A) Never mentions the deceased again
B) Resumes normal activities and uses support resources
C) Cries every time the deceased is mentioned
D) Refuses to attend a support group
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Positive outcomes include verbalizing acceptance, resuming activities,
setting new goals, and using support systems. Persistent intense grief or total
avoidance indicates need for further intervention.
11. When caring for a terminally ill patient, the nurse notes that the patient’s
family members are already withdrawing and expressing sadness. This is known
as:
A) Disenfranchised grief
B) Masked grief
C) Anticipatory grieving
D) Exaggerated grief
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Anticipatory grieving begins before the actual loss, affecting both
patients and families. It involves grieving the loss in advance.
12. A nurse is caring for a dying patient. The family yells at the nurse, accusing the
staff of not doing enough. The nurse’s best response is based on understanding
that:
A) The family is personally attacking the nurse
B) The anger is often part of the grief process and not personal
C) The nurse should argue back to defend the care provided
D) The family should be removed from the unit
4|Page
