A nurse suspects prolonged grief disorder (PGD). Which finding supports this concern?
Seeking social support from friends and family
Crying during anniversaries or holidays
Persistent yearning and impaired daily functioning 14 months after a loss
Sadness and fatigue two months after a loss
The Correct Answer is C
A. Seeking social support from friends and family: This is a characteristic of healthy, uncomplicated grief where the individual utilizes their social network to process the loss. Engaging with others for emotional support is a protective factor that helps facilitate the transition through the mourning process. It indicates that the person is actively employing adaptive coping mechanisms to manage their distress.
B. Crying during anniversaries or holidays: These are known as "anniversary reactions" and are considered a normal part of the grief experience for many years following a loss. Significant dates often trigger temporary upsurges in grief that do not necessarily indicate a pathological disorder. Normal grief includes these intermittent periods of sadness interspersed with productive daily functioning.
C. Persistent yearning and impaired daily functioning 14 months after a loss: Prolonged grief disorder is diagnosed when intense longing and emotional distress continue beyond 12 months for adults and interfere with daily life. The persistence of these symptoms past the one-year mark suggests the mourning process has become "stuck" or maladaptive. This requires specialized clinical intervention to help the individual reintegrate into their social and occupational roles.
D. Sadness and fatigue two months after a loss: These symptoms are typical manifestations of the early stages of normal, uncomplicated grief. During the first few months, it is expected for individuals to experience somatic complaints and significant emotional pain as they begin to navigate life without the deceased. A diagnosis of PGD cannot be made this early in the bereavement process.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. A family starting a walking routine: This represents a group or interpersonal level of health promotion within a specific micro-system. While beneficial for the health of the individuals involved, it lacks the scale and infrastructure of a national initiative. It is a private behavioral change rather than a structured strategy designed to impact the health of an entire country.
B. A nurse reviewing medications with a client: This action is a clinical, individual-level intervention focused on secondary or tertiary prevention. It occurs within a specific therapeutic encounter to ensure the safety and education of one particular patient. It does not constitute a broad strategy aimed at shifting the health indicators of the general national population.
C. Healthy People 2030 goals and objectives: This is a comprehensive national roadmap designed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to improve the health of all Americans. It sets specific, data-driven targets for health promotion and disease prevention over a 10 year period. This framework guides national policy, funding, and public health efforts to address social determinants of health.
D. Teaching one patient how to read a food label: This is a direct patient education intervention categorized at the individual level of care. While it promotes health literacy, its impact is limited to the person receiving the instruction during the clinical visit. It lacks the systematic, population-wide scope required to be considered a national-level health promotion strategy.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. "You are already home. Stop worrying.": This response employs a confrontational reality orientation that often increases agitation in patients with dementia. By dismissing the patient's perceived reality, the nurse creates a power struggle that can lead to further distress. Invalidating the patient's feelings shuts down communication and fails to address the underlying emotional need for safety.
B. "Your family told me you have to stay here.": Shifting the blame to the family can damage the patient's trust in their loved ones and the healthcare team. This response may cause the patient to feel betrayed or abandoned, exacerbating their anxiety and desire to leave. It avoids addressing the patient's current emotional state and offers no comfort or meaningful engagement.
C. "We've talked about this already. Sit down.": This impatient response serves as a verbal barrier that can make the patient feel belittled or ignored. Repeating that the conversation has already occurred is ineffective because the patient likely lacks the short-term memory to recall previous interactions. It focuses on the nurse's frustration rather than the patient's need for therapeutic support and redirection.
D. “I can see you're worried. Tell me about your home.": This response utilizes validation therapy and redirection by first acknowledging the patient's feelings of anxiety. By asking the patient to describe their home, the nurse shifts the focus from a distressing thought to a comforting long-term memory. This technique de-escalates the situation while maintaining the patient's dignity through meaningful, non-confrontational dialogue.
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