During a home visit the nurse determines that a patient whose ...

[tnt_battle]

During a home visit the nurse determines that a patient whose spouse died 10 months ago is demonstrating signs of grief resolution. What did the nurse assess to come to this conclusion?
 
  Select all that apply.
 
  1. Not living in the past
  2. Breaking ties with the lost person
  3. Asking for help to end the pain of the loss
  4. Experiencing waves of sadness when looking at a picture
  5. Wishing that death had occurred at the same time the spouse died

Question 2

A patient whose spouse passed away 5 years ago becomes severely depressed on holidays, anniversaries, and birthdays. What should the nurse do to help this patient?
 
  Select all that apply.
 
  1. Encourage the patient to talk with family or spiritual support systems.
  2. Explain that these feelings are a sign of chronic depression.
  3. Help the patient talk about the loss and hopes for the future.
  4. Explain that these feelings will last as long as the patient is alive.
  5. Role-play ways for the patient to get through the days when depression is the worst.

[gcook]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1, 2, 4

Evidence that grief is resolving includes not living in the past, breaking ties with the lost person, and experiencing waves of sadness when looking at a picture. Asking for help to end the pain of the loss and wishing for death at the same time that the spouse died indicates that grief resolution is not occurring.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1, 3, 4, 5

For the patient with chronic sorrow the nurse should encourage the patient to talk with family or others in the patient's spiritual support system, help the patient talk about the loss and hopes for the future, explain that these feelings will last as long as the patient is alive, and role-play ways for the patient to get through the days when the depression is the worst. These feelings are not a sign of chronic depression.

[tnt_battle]

Excellent

[Joy Chen]

TYSM