ATI LPN
Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art and Science of Person-Centered Care Tenth, North American Edition
Chapter 44 : Loss, Grief and Dying Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse receives information in a shift report that a patient who has rapidly progressing terminal illness is in the denial phase of death and dying. The nurse expects a patient in this stage to make which statement?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In denial, patients reject the reality of death, as in planning a future vacation (
A). Option B reflects acceptance, C reflects anger, and D reflects depression.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse notes a hospice patient is increasingly agitated, with noisy, irregular breathing and periods of apnea. The skin of their feet appears mottled. The nurse takes which action?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Mottled skin, agitation, and irregular breathing indicate imminent death, so preparing the family (
C) is appropriate. Options A, B, and D involve invasive interventions contrary to hospice goals.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse midwife is assisting a patient whose birth plan states she is firmly committed to natural childbirth. When informed the infant is in distress and a cesarean delivery is necessary, the pregnant patient sobs inconsolably, calling herself a failure. The nurse offers emotional support based on what likely types of losses? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: A,B,C
Rationale: The losses are actual (
A), perceived (
B), and psychological (
C). Actual loss is the tangible loss of the planned natural childbirth, recognized by others. Perceived loss is the patient's intangible sense of failure. Psychological loss reflects the emotional impact. Anticipatory loss (
D) involves grieving before a loss occurs, physical loss (E) is tangible like bodily harm, and maturational loss (F) relates to developmental stages, none of which apply here.
Question 4 of 5
A hospice nurse who cared for a dying patient and their 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.
Correct Answer: A,B,F
Rationale: Mourning involves outward expressions of grief, such as arranging a funeral (
A), creating a memorial scholarship (
B), and writing a poem (F). Pronouncing death (
C) is a legal act, not a family mourning behavior. Arranging hospice (
D) and cancer diagnosis (E) occur before death, not during mourning.
Question 5 of 5
An older adult who recently moved into a long-term care facility tells the nurse their only son died 20 years ago, and they haven't enjoyed life since. When giving report to the next shift, the nurse tells the oncoming nurse the resident seems to be suffering from which type of grief?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Unresolved grief (
C) is indicated by the prolonged inability to move past the loss, lasting 20 years. Somatic grief (
A) involves physical symptoms, anticipatory grief (
B) occurs before a loss, and inhibited grief (
D) involves suppressed emotions, none of which are described here.