NURS 3312 Exam # 3 Loss, Grief, and Dying NCLEX Questions

1. A nurse midwife is assisting a patient to deliver a full-term baby. The patient is firmly committed to natural childbirth and has attended each natural childbirth class in preparation for labor and delivery. A cesarean delivery becomes necessary when her fetus displays signs of distress. Inconsolable, the patient cries and calls herself a failure as a mother. The nurse notes that the patient is experiencing what type of loss? Select all that apply. - a, b, c. The loss experienced by the woman is 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 mentally as opposed to physically. Anticipatory loss occurs when one grieves prior to the actual loss, physical loss is loss that is tangible and perceived by others, and maturational loss is experienced as a result of natural developmental processes. 2. A nurse who cared for a dying patient and his 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, b, f. Mourning is defined as the period of acceptance of loss and grief, during which the person learns to deal with loss. It is the actions and expressions of that grief, including the symbols and ceremonies (e.g., a funeral or final celebration of life), that make up the outward expressions of grief. People who are bereaved are in a state of grieving from loss of a loved one. 3. A nurse interviews an 82-year-old resident of a long-term care facility who says that she has never gotten over the death of her son 20 years ago. She reports that her life fell apart after that and she never again felt like herself or was able to enjoy life. What type of grief is this woman experiencing? - c. Dysfunctional grief extends the mourning period for an abnormally long time, characterized by abnormal or distorted expressions of grief. 4. A home health care nurse has been visiting a patient with AIDS who says, "I'm no longer afraid of dying. I think I've made my peace with everyone, and I'm actually ready to move on." This reflects the patient's progress to which stage of death and dying? - a. The patient's statement reflects the acceptance stage of death and dying defined by Kübler-R