Chapter 30: Dying, Death, and Grieving Halter:
Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric Mental
Health Nursing: A Clinical Approach, 8th Edition
Games and activities Question And Answers
1. An adult says to the nurse, "The cancer in my neck spread in only 2
months. I've been cursed my whole life. Maybe if I had been more
generous with others ..." Considering the stages of grief described by
Kübler-Ross, which stage is evident?
a. Anger
b. Denial
c. Depression
d. Bargaining - -ANS: D
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 be experiencing anger and
depression, the comment speaks directly to bargaining. The person shows
acceptance of the disease.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Pages 30-3, 22 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
- 1. Which actions by a nurse are most appropriate when caring for a
hospice patient? (Select all that apply.)
a. Giving choices
b. Fostering personal control
c. Explaining curative options
d. Supporting the patient's spirituality
e. Offering interventions that convey respect
f. Providing answers to the patient's questions about spirituality - -ANS: A,
B, D, E
The correct answers support the rights and choices of the dying individual.
Acting on false information robs a patient of the opportunity for honest
dialogue and places barriers to achieving end-of-life developmental
opportunities. The nurse supports the patient's spirituality but does not
have the answers to all questions.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 30-6, 11 to 13, 42 (Box 30-5)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial
Integrity
, - 10. A patient with a new diagnosis of cancer says, "My father died of
pancreatic cancer. I took care of him during his illness, so I know what is
ahead for me." Which nursing diagnosis applies?
a. Anticipatory grieving
b. Ineffective coping
c. Ineffective denial
d. Spiritual distress - -ANS: A
The patient's experience demonstrates anticipatory grieving. The other
diagnoses may apply but are not supported by the comment.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 30-17, 18 TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis/Analysis
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
- 11. A nurse talks with a woman who recently learned that her husband
died while jogging. Select the appropriate statement for the nurse.
a. "At least your husband did not suffer."
b. "It's better to go quickly as your husband did."
c. "Your husband's loss must be very painful for you."
d. "You will begin to feel better after you get over the shock." - -ANS: C
The most helpful responses by others validate the bereaved person's
experience of loss. Avoid clichés, because they are ineffective.
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
- 12. Family members ask the nurse, "What can we say when our loved
one says, 'Death is coming soon?'" To promote communication, which
response could the nurse suggest for family members?
a. "We feel sad when we think about life without you."
b. "We have not given up on getting you well."
c. "We think you will be around for a long time yet."
d. "Let's talk about the good memories we have." - -ANS: A
The correct response is emotionally honest. It allows the family
opportunities to express emotions, address issues in the relationship, and
say farewell. The distracters are evasive.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 30-7, 33 (Table 30-1), 35 (Table 30-3), 42 (Box 30-5)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial
Integrity
- 13. Which finding indicates successful completion of an individual's
grief and mourning?
a. For 2 years after her husband's death, a widow has kept her husband's
belongings in their usual places.
Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric Mental
Health Nursing: A Clinical Approach, 8th Edition
Games and activities Question And Answers
1. An adult says to the nurse, "The cancer in my neck spread in only 2
months. I've been cursed my whole life. Maybe if I had been more
generous with others ..." Considering the stages of grief described by
Kübler-Ross, which stage is evident?
a. Anger
b. Denial
c. Depression
d. Bargaining - -ANS: D
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 be experiencing anger and
depression, the comment speaks directly to bargaining. The person shows
acceptance of the disease.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Pages 30-3, 22 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
- 1. Which actions by a nurse are most appropriate when caring for a
hospice patient? (Select all that apply.)
a. Giving choices
b. Fostering personal control
c. Explaining curative options
d. Supporting the patient's spirituality
e. Offering interventions that convey respect
f. Providing answers to the patient's questions about spirituality - -ANS: A,
B, D, E
The correct answers support the rights and choices of the dying individual.
Acting on false information robs a patient of the opportunity for honest
dialogue and places barriers to achieving end-of-life developmental
opportunities. The nurse supports the patient's spirituality but does not
have the answers to all questions.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 30-6, 11 to 13, 42 (Box 30-5)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial
Integrity
, - 10. A patient with a new diagnosis of cancer says, "My father died of
pancreatic cancer. I took care of him during his illness, so I know what is
ahead for me." Which nursing diagnosis applies?
a. Anticipatory grieving
b. Ineffective coping
c. Ineffective denial
d. Spiritual distress - -ANS: A
The patient's experience demonstrates anticipatory grieving. The other
diagnoses may apply but are not supported by the comment.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 30-17, 18 TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis/Analysis
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
- 11. A nurse talks with a woman who recently learned that her husband
died while jogging. Select the appropriate statement for the nurse.
a. "At least your husband did not suffer."
b. "It's better to go quickly as your husband did."
c. "Your husband's loss must be very painful for you."
d. "You will begin to feel better after you get over the shock." - -ANS: C
The most helpful responses by others validate the bereaved person's
experience of loss. Avoid clichés, because they are ineffective.
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
- 12. Family members ask the nurse, "What can we say when our loved
one says, 'Death is coming soon?'" To promote communication, which
response could the nurse suggest for family members?
a. "We feel sad when we think about life without you."
b. "We have not given up on getting you well."
c. "We think you will be around for a long time yet."
d. "Let's talk about the good memories we have." - -ANS: A
The correct response is emotionally honest. It allows the family
opportunities to express emotions, address issues in the relationship, and
say farewell. The distracters are evasive.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
REF: Pages 30-7, 33 (Table 30-1), 35 (Table 30-3), 42 (Box 30-5)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial
Integrity
- 13. Which finding indicates successful completion of an individual's
grief and mourning?
a. For 2 years after her husband's death, a widow has kept her husband's
belongings in their usual places.
