BN Ch.14 The End of Life: Death, Dying, Grief, and Loss

Question 1

The process of dying has been compared to the process of __________.

Answer 1

Labor

Question 2

__________ illness is a state in which an individual faces a medical condition that will end in death within a limited period.

Answer 2

Terminal

Question 3

A benefit of normal __________ is being able to gradually adjust to the inevitability of death.

Answer 3

aging

Question 4

___________ is the final stage of growth and development.

Answer 4

Death

Question 5

__________ human needs are a priority for the dying person.

Answer 5

Basic

Question 6

__________ often forces people to consider the meaning of life, the existence of the soul, and the possibility of an afterlife,

Answer 6

Death

Question 7

During the __________ stage of depression, the individual concentrates on past losses.

Answer 7

Verbal

Question 8

The final stage of dying is __________

Answer 8

detachment

Question 9

Stage in which an individual gradually separates from the world

Answer 9

Detachment

Question 10

Stage in which an individual concentrates on past losses

Answer 10

Reactive depression

Question 11

State in which an individual faces a medical condition that will end in death within a limited period

Answer 11

Terminal illness

Question 12

Write the correct sequence of the stages of dying described by Kübler-Ross.

1. Anger
2. Depression
3. Detachment
4. Denial
5. Bargaining
6. Acceptance

Answer 12

4. Denial
5. Anger
6. Bargaining
7. Depression
8. Acceptance
9. Detachment

Question 13

How do culture, ethnicity, and religion influence people’s attitudes toward death?

Answer 13

• Death is a social event with great meaning for the society in some cultures; in others, death is considered a private, hidden occurrence.
• Some cultures celebrate the death of a person, believing that the person is in a better place.
• Some cultures grieve openly, and for others grief is an intense personal experience.
• Some mourn for extended periods.
• Some religions have specific laws regarding death and ceremonies for commemorating the dead person’s passage from life.

Question 14

How can the nurse honor the process of dying?

Answer 14

• The nurse honors the process of dying by helping the client with basic human needs.
• The dying individual appreciates the care provided even if he or she cannot communicate with the nurse verbally.
• The nurse gives the client and the family interaction, attention, and concern

Question 15

Why is the concept of death not acceptable to many people?

Answer 15

• Most people develop a fear of dying because what comes after death is unknown.
• Western medicine and beliefs are based on preserving life, and admitting that a person cannot be cured or revived is often difficult.
• People can imagine others dying but often have trouble imagining their own death.
• Resolving feelings about the reality of death is a continuing challenge for many individuals.

Question 16

A young client with a terminal illness expresses anger when their family visits. The client’s response has the family upset and disturbed.

a. Which stage of dying is the client passing through?

Answer 16

• The client is passing through the anger and rage stage of dying.
• At this stage, the client envies healthy young people and lashes out at family members or healthcare personnel.

Question 17

A young client with a terminal illness expresses anger when their family visits. The client’s response has the family upset and disturbed.

How should the nurse care for the client and the family?

Answer 17

• The nurse understands and explains to the family that the client is behaving naturally.
• The client is not angry at the nurse or the relatives, but expressing his helplessness in the situation

Question 18

A nurse is caring for a dying client who belongs to an organized religious group.

a. How can the nurse help the client to draw strength from their religious faith?

Answer 18

• The nurse could arrange for people from the client’s religious group to pray with the client so that the client is able to draw strength from God and prayer

Question 19

A nurse is caring for a dying client who belongs to an organized religious group.

Why is spirituality important for individuals faced with death?

Answer 19

• People who are dying need the support of family and friends and, most of all, a spiritual foundation that they can rely on.
• Spirituality helps them to find answers to their queries regarding the meaning of life, the existence of the soul, and the possibility of afterlife.

Question 20

The family of a young client diagnosed with a terminal illness expresses doubts regarding the medical reports and wants to consult other doctors to get additional opinions.

a. What does this reaction of the family imply?

Answer 20

• It is normal for the family to react in this manner.
• The family is denying the diagnosis and wants to check for accuracy.
• The family is trying to fight their own fears of losing a family member.
• The client and the family both pass through the stages of death.
• The family is going through the denial and isolation.

Question 21

A nurse is caring for a dying client who does not belong to any organized religious group.

The client is dejected and says that life seems meaningless and all the achievements in life useless at this point.

a. How can the nurse help the client cope with the situation?

Answer 21

• The nurse understands that the client is moving towards spirituality and seeking answers to questions about the purpose of life.
• Because the client does not belong to any particular religious group, the nurse should ask the client’s family and friends to actively participate in the nursing care.
• This will help the client to draw strength from the caring relationships that have been built up in his or her lifetime.