Epilogue: Death And Dying

Question 0

Terror Management Theory (TMT)

Answer 0

The idea that people adopt cultural values and moral principles in order to cope with their fear of death. This system of beliefs protects individuals from anxiety about their mortality and bolsters their self-esteem, so they react harshly when other people go against any of the moral principles involved.

Question 1

Thanatology

Answer 1

The study of death and dying, especially of the social and emotional aspects.

Question 2

Stages of Dying: Kübler-Ross

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Hospice

Answer 3

An institution or program in which terminally ill patients receive palliative care to reduce suffering; family and friends of the dying are helped as well

Question 4

Palliative care

Answer 4

Care designed not to treat an illness but to provide physical and emotional comfort to the patient and support and guidance to his or her family

Question 5

Double effect

Answer 5

A situation in which an action has both a positive effect and a negative effect.

Question 6

Passive euthanasia

Answer 6

A situation in which a seriously ill person is allowed to die naturally, through the cessation of medical intervention

Question 7

DNR (do not resuscitate)

Answer 7

A written order from a physician that no attempt should be made to revive a patient if he or she suffers cardiac or respiratory arrest

Question 8

Active euthanasia

Answer 8

A situation in which someone takes action to being about another person’s death, with the intention of ending that person’s suffering

Question 9

Physician-assisted suicide

Answer 9

A form of active euthanasia in which a doctor provides the means for someone to end his or her own life

Question 10

Slippery slope

Answer 10

The argument that a given action will culminate in an undesirable outcome

Question 11

Living well

Answer 11

A document that indicates what medical intervention an individual prefers if he or she is not conscious when a decision is to be expressed

Question 12

Health care proxy

Answer 12

A person chosen by another person to make medical decisions if the second person becomes unable to do so

Question 13

Grief

Answer 13

The deep sorrow that people feel at the death of another. Grief is personal and unpredictable.

Question 14

Complicated grief

Answer 14

A type of grief that impedes a person’s future life, usually because the person clings to sorrow or is buffeted by contradictory emotions

Question 15

Absent grief

Answer 15

A situation in which mourners do not grieve, either because other people do not allow grief to be expressed or because the mourners do not allow themselves to feel sadness

Question 16

Disenfranchised grief

Answer 16

A situation in which certain people, although they are bereaved, are prevented from mourning publicly by cultural customs or social restrictions

Question 17

Incomplete grief

Answer 17

A situation in which circumstances, such as a police investigation or an autopsy, interfere with the process of grieving

Question 18

Mourning

Answer 18

The ceremonies and behaviors that a religion or culture prescribes for people to employ in expressing their bereavement after a death