Author Question: A teenage boy has lost his best friend as a result of a hunting accident. His parents report that he ... (Read 123 times)

ETearle · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A teenage boy has lost his best friend as a result of a hunting accident. His parents report that he is eating and sleeping very little and expresses little interest in school.

They are concerned that he talks about the accident repeatedly. These behaviors are gen-erally seen as:
a. Expressing responsibility for his friend's death
b. Attempts to avoid dealing with his pain
c. Expressions of a normal grief reaction
d. Indications of a risk for self-harm

Question 2

An outcome for a patient experiencing anticipatory grieving for a spouse diagnosed with terminal cancer would be that the patient will:

a. Continue to be emotionally involved with the dying spouse
b. Develop protective mental mechanisms to allay the pain of spousal loss
c. Not voice threats of physical violence that is either self or others directed
d. Agree to stay at home and care for the spouse with appropriate assistance

peter · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
The teen is displaying normal grief responses. He is not avoiding his pain but rather express-ing it various ways. There are no data to support that he feels responsible. He has not ex-pressed suicidal ideation.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Some families who are experiencing anticipatory grieving withdraw prematurely from the ill member, so this is an important outcome. There are no protective mechanisms to prevent loss experiences. Anticipatory grieving does not imply violence. A contract to stay home and care for the spouse even with assistance is not helpful.