A nurse is caring for an older adult client who expresses feelings of grief for his earlier life. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to help the client cope with his feelings of loss?
Listen attentively when the client talks about the past.
Let the client know that this is a common problem of the aging population.
Provide the client with activities to perform so he won't have time to dwell on the past.
Tell the client about some of the younger clients in the hospital Who have experienced loss.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Listening attentively when the client talks about the past allows the nurse to provide emotional support and validation for the client's feelings of grief. It demonstrates empathy and encourages the client to express their emotions, which can be therapeutic.
B. Telling the client that feelings of grief are a common problem of the aging population may invalidate the client's individual experience and minimize their feelings. Each person's experience of grief is unique, and acknowledging this is important for effective support.
C. Providing activities to distract the client from dwelling on the past may temporarily divert attention but does not address the underlying feelings of grief. Encouraging avoidance of emotions may hinder the client's ability to cope effectively.
D. Comparing the client's experience to that of younger clients who have experienced loss may not be helpful and could potentially minimize the significance of the client's feelings. It is important to focus on the individual client's experience and provide personalized support.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Informing his primary care provider of his desires: While it's important for the primary care provider to be aware of the patient's wishes, simply informing the provider may not ensure that these desires are respected in the event of a medical crisis. The primary care provider may not be immediately available during an emergency situation.
B. Filing an advance directive with the health care facility: This is the correct response. Advance directives allow individuals to specify their healthcare preferences in advance, including decisions about life-sustaining treatments such as resuscitation, ventilation, and artificial nutrition and hydration. Filing an advance directive ensures that the patient's wishes are documented and legally binding, providing guidance to healthcare providers in the event that the patient becomes unable to communicate or make decisions.
C. Including these desires in his will: While a will can address matters related to the distribution of assets and property after death, it typically does not cover healthcare decisions or preferences regarding end-of-life care. Healthcare preferences should be documented in an advance directive or similar legal document specifically designed for healthcare decisions.
D. Signing a do-not-resuscitate/do-not-intubate (DNR/DNI) request: While a DNR/DNI request specifies the patient's wishes regarding resuscitation and intubation, it may not cover other aspects of end-of-life care such as the use of IV fluids or feeding tubes. An advance directive provides a more comprehensive framework for expressing end-of-life care preferences beyond just resuscitation and intubation.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Bargaining: Bargaining is a stage in Kübler-Ross's model where the patient may attempt to negotiate with a higher power or medical professionals to change their fate. An increase in daily function is not typically associated with this stage.
B. Acceptance: In Kübler-Ross's model of the stages of grief, acceptance is the final stage. It is characterized by the patient coming to terms with their diagnosis and prognosis. When a terminal patient demonstrates an increase in the level of daily function, it can indicate that they have reached a state of acceptance. This means they have acknowledged their situation and are finding ways to live their life as fully as possible, despite their illness.
C. Depression: Depression is another stage in Kübler-Ross's model where the patient experiences feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair. While depression may occur at any point during the grieving process, an increase in daily function suggests movement beyond this stage.
D. Yearning: Yearning, also known as the stage of "pain and guilt" in Kübler-Ross's model, involves feelings of longing for what was lost or what cannot be. It is characterized by emotional distress and a desire to return to a previous state. An increase in daily function is not indicative of this stage.
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