A nurse is reinforcing teaching to a newly hired nurse about how family members are affected by the terminal diagnosis of a child. Which of the following statements by the new nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching?
"Siblings may feel as if they have lost a parent, which can lead to poor mental health."
"Most negative feelings regarding losing a child should diminish within a year."
"Parents are less likely to rely on hospice care services if their child has terminal illness."
"Parents who feel hopeful are less equipped to make decisions that limit end-of-life interventions."
The Correct Answer is A
A. "Siblings may feel as if they have lost a parent, which can lead to poor mental health." When a child is diagnosed with a terminal illness, parents often focus most of their attention on the sick child, which can make siblings feel neglected or emotionally abandoned. This can lead to anxiety, depression, or behavioral issues, requiring additional support and reassurance.
B. "Most negative feelings regarding losing a child should diminish within a year." Grieving the loss of a child is a lifelong process, and emotions do not follow a set timeline. Many parents continue to experience profound grief for years, though their coping mechanisms may improve over time.
C. "Parents are less likely to rely on hospice care services if their child has a terminal illness." Hospice care is often recommended for children with terminal illnesses, as it provides pain management, emotional support, and quality-of-life care for both the child and family. Many parents seek hospice services to ensure their child is comfortable in their final days.
D. "Parents who feel hopeful are less equipped to make decisions that limit end-of-life interventions." Hope does not prevent parents from making informed medical decisions. Parents can hope for a miracle while still making practical choices about palliative care and limiting invasive interventions when necessary.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "Adolescents may feel responsible for the illness." While younger children may engage in magical thinking and believe they caused their illness, adolescents typically have a more developed understanding of disease processes and are less likely to blame themselves.
B. "Adolescents may feel frustrated for being dependent on others." Adolescents value independence and autonomy, so a terminal illness that forces them to rely on caregivers can lead to frustration, anger, and emotional distress. This struggle with dependency is a common psychosocial challenge in adolescent patients.
C. "Children 3 to 5 years old are too young to understand the difference between life and death." Preschool-aged children may not fully grasp the permanence of death, but they do have some awareness of it. They often see death as temporary or reversible, influenced by their limited cognitive development and exposure to media or stories.
D. "Children around 5 or 6 years old may try to be brave and shield loved ones from distress." While school-aged children may begin to understand the finality of death, the tendency to "be brave" and protect loved ones is more common in older children and adolescents, who have a stronger sense of emotional responsibility.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "Your child will have the final say in all decisions regarding palliative care." While the child's preferences and wishes should be considered, decision-making typically involves collaboration between the child, parents, and healthcare team to ensure the best possible care.
B. "The primary goal of palliative care is to improve your child's quality of life." Palliative care focuses on enhancing comfort, relieving symptoms, and providing emotional, social, and spiritual support for the child and their family, regardless of disease prognosis.
C. "Palliative care only addresses your child's physical and mental needs." Palliative care is holistic, addressing not just physical and mental needs but also emotional, spiritual, and social well-being for both the child and their family.
D. "Palliative care will begin once your child has been given 6 months left to live." Palliative care is not limited to end-of-life care. It can be introduced at any stage of a serious illness, alongside curative treatments, to improve the child's overall well-being.
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