ATI RN MATERNITY PROCTORED EXAM. VERIFIED Q AND A.

1. I know it seems strange, but I feel guilty being pregnant after the death of my son last year,” said a woman during her routine obstetrical examination. The nurse spends extra time with this woman, helping her realize bonding with this unborn child will not mean she is replacing the one who died. Which nursing technique does this demonstrate? a. Providing curative therapy b. Promoting spirituality c. Facilitating mourning d. Eradicating grief ANS: C The nurse facilitates mourning in family members who are still surviving. By acknowledging the pregnant woman’s emotions, the nurse helps the mother bond with her fetus and recognizes the emotions that still exist for the deceased child. The nurse is not attempting to help the patient eradicate grief, which would be unrealistic. Curative therapy (curing a disease) and spiritual promotion (belief in a higher power or in the meaning of life) are not addressed by the nurse’s statement. 2. A patient has had two family members die during the past 2 days. Which coping strategy is most appropriate for the nurse to suggest to the patient? a. Writing in a journal b. Drinking alcohol to go to sleep c. Exercising vigorously rather than sleeping d. Avoiding talking with friends and family members ANS: A Coping strategies may be healthy and effective like talking, journaling, and sharing emotions with others. They may also be unhealthy and ineffective like increased use of alcohol, drugs, and violence. Although exercise is important for self-care, sleep is also important. Shutting oneself away from friends and family by not talking about the sadness is not effective; the patient should spend time with people who are nurturing. 3. A female nurse is called into the supervisor’s office regarding her deteriorating work performance since the loss of her spouse 2 years ago. The woman begins sobbing and says that she is “falling apart” at home as well. Which type of grief is the female nurse experiencing? a. Normal grief b. Perceived grief c. Complicated grief d. Disenfranchised grief ANS: C In complicated grief, a person has a prolonged or significantly difficult time moving forward after a loss. Normal grief is the most common reaction to death; it involves a complex range of normal coping strategies. Disenfranchised grief involves a relationship that is not socially sanctioned. Perceived grief is not a type of grief; perceived loss is a loss that is less obvious to other people. 4. A nurse is caring for a patient in the last stages of dying. Which finding indicates the nurse needs to prepare the family for death? a. Redness of skin b. Clear-colored urine c. Tense muscles tone d. Cheyne-Stokes breathing 2 ANS: D Altered breathing such as Cheyne-Stokes pattern, apnea, labored, or irregular breathing is a sign of impending death. Cyanotic, pallor, or mottling of skin occurs. Urine is decreased and a dark color. Decreased muscle tone, relaxed jaw muscles, and sagging mouth also occur. 5.The mother of a child who died recently keeps the child’s room intact. Family members are encouraging her to redecorate and move forward in life. Which type of grief will the home health nurse recognize the mother is experiencing? a. Normal b. End-of-life c. Abnormal d. Complicated ANS: A Family members will grieve differently. One sign of normal grief is keeping the deceased individual’s room intact as a way to keep that person alive in the minds of survivors. This is happening after the family member is deceased, so it is not end-of-life grief. It is not abnormal or complicated grief; the child died recently. 6. A nurse is caring for a dying patient. One of the nurse’s goals is to promote dignity and validation of the dying person’s life. Which action will the nurse take to best achieve this goal? a. Take pictures of visitors. b. Provide quiet visiting time. c. Call the organ donation coordinator. d. Listen to family stories about the person. ANS: D Listening to family members’ stories validates the importance of the dying individual’s life and reinforces the dignity of the person’s life. Taking pictures of visitors does not address the value of a person’s life. Calling organ donation and providing private visiting time are components of the dying process, but they do not validate a dying person’s life. 7. A nurse is caring for a dying patient. When is the best time for the nurse to