A nurse is collecting data from a client whose child was killed 2 years ago. Which of the following actions Indicates that the client is experiencing maladaptive grieving?
Leaving the child's room exactly as it was before the loss.
Visiting the child's grave every week
Talking about the child in the past tense
Volunteering at a local children's hospital
The Correct Answer is A
Leaving the child's room exactly as it was before the loss suggests that the client is unable to accept and adapt to the reality of the child's death. This behavior can be considered maladaptive because it hinders the process of mourning and moving forward. It may reflect a difficulty in accepting the loss and adjusting to life without the child.
The other actions mentioned in the options are not necessarily indicative of maladaptive grieving:
B. Visiting the child's grave every week: Visiting the child's grave can be a normal part of the grieving process for some individuals. It provides an opportunity for the client to remember and honor the child's memory.
C. Talking about the child in the past tense: It is common for individuals to talk about a deceased loved one in the past tense. This does not necessarily indicate maladaptive grieving. It is a way of acknowledging the loss and recognizing that the person is no longer physically present.
D. Volunteering at a local children's hospital: Engaging in volunteer work can be a positive coping mechanism for individuals who have experienced a loss. It allows them to find meaning, connection, and a sense of purpose through helping others.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Answer: (D) Suppression
Rationale:
A) Dissociation: Dissociation involves a disconnection from reality or the separation of thoughts, memories, or identity from conscious awareness. In this scenario, the client is not displaying any signs of disconnecting from reality or avoiding awareness of the situation through dissociation, making this defense mechanism unlikely.
B) Projection: Projection occurs when an individual attributes their own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to others. The client in this situation is not blaming others or attributing their actions to someone else, so projection is not the defense mechanism being demonstrated here.
C) Intellectualization: Intellectualization involves using reasoning or logic to avoid emotional stress or anxiety. While the client does mention logical-sounding plans about things working out next week, their overall response does not primarily reflect an avoidance of emotion through reasoning, so intellectualization is not the correct choice.
D) Suppression: Suppression is the conscious decision to delay paying attention to an emotion or need in order to cope with the present situation. The client acknowledges the stress of being fired but chooses to push aside their distress by stating that "everything will work out somehow next week," indicating they are consciously choosing to set aside their anxiety for the time being. This aligns with the concept of suppression.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The appropriate response by the nurse in this situation is to set clear boundaries and remove themselves from the situation. By stating, "I'm going to leave now and I'll return in one hour to spend time with you then," the nurse establishes that the inappropriate behavior is not acceptable and that they will return later to continue providing care within professional boundaries.
A- "I'm sure that you don't intend to behave this way, so I'm going to ignore this behavior" is not an appropriate response. Ignoring the behavior can potentially enable or encourage further inappropriate advances, and it does not address the issue directly.
B- "I'm curious as to why you are behaving this way. Can you please explain it to me?" places the responsibility on the client to explain their behavior, which is not appropriate or necessary in this situation. It may also encourage further discussion of the inappropriate behavior.
C- "I'm very flattered, but I am married and cannot engage in this behavior" personalizes the situation and may give the wrong impression that the nurse's marital status is the reason for rejecting the advances. It is important to maintain professional boundaries and not involve personal factors in the response.
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