Author Question: A 4-year-old girl diagnosed with leukemia will begin palliative care. The 6-year-old brother does ... (Read 201 times)

jenna1 · **on:** Jun 28, 2018

A 4-year-old girl diagnosed with leukemia will begin palliative care. The 6-year-old brother does not visit often. The parents worry their son will remember his sister as a sad, thin, child in the hospital rather than as his playful sister.

Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?
A.
Your son can handle a visit to see his sister with your help because children are emotionally strong.
B.
Your son needs to say good-bye to his sister prior to her death; you should bring him to visit immediately.
C.
Your son will have these sad memories for the rest of his life; therefore, keeping him away is a good idea.
D.
Your son needs preparation about the change in his sister's appearance, but for his own grieving process, he needs to visit her before her death.

Question 2

The pediatric nurse understands that with a sudden catastrophic loss, family members can experience physical symptoms such as rapid respirations, agitation, nausea, and diarrhea.

According to Epperson, which stage of grief are these individuals experiencing?
A.
Anger
B.
Denial
C.
High anxiety
D.
Remorse

SomethingSomething · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 28, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Parents often try to protect the dying child by limiting visitation. It is important for the nurse to communicate to the parents that visits from the sibling are important. Kbler-Ross (1983) stated that the child who has been included in the death and mourning process with the family is able to let go in a healthy way. The sibling may be able to write letters or draw pictures for the child as a way of saying good-bye. It is important that the sibling be included in the grieving process and has the opportunity to say good-bye.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
High anxiety is described by Epperson as a time of great stress, with many physical manifestations of emotional upheaval. A nursing assessment of the family member finds agitation, rapid respirations and increased heart rate, irritability, muscular tension, and fainting, along with digestive or bowel changes that may result in nausea and diarrhea.