George Wilbur, age 73, is a patient recovering from coronary ...

[geoffrey]

George Wilbur, age 73, is a patient recovering from coronary artery bypass surgery. The nurse notices that he seems depressed, and he is continuously asking, Why is God doing this to me? The best response by the nurse is
 
  a. Call for a psychiatric consultation to screen Mr. Wilbur for depression
  b. Ask Mr. Wilbur if he has any specific spiritual needs to be addressed
  c. Reassure Mr. Wilbur that he did nothing wrong and everything is okay
  d. Tell Mr. Wilbur that sadness usually occurs after undergoing heart surgery

Question 2

Mr. Raymond's family has been sitting at his bedside for hours, watching over his decreased respirations. No one is speaking. Jane, the LPN, talks to the son and
 
  a. Encourages him to go home because this might be a long process
  b. Encourages him to talk to his father because hearing is the last sense to go
  c. Encourages him to try to feed his father
  d. Encourages him to count the respirations to pass the time

[lolol]

Answer to Question 1

B
Feelings of sadness or depression and comments of despair are expressions of unmet spiritual needs or spiritual distress. Response A might be considered after the nurse addresses any unmet spiritual needs. Responses C and D are incorrect.

Answer to Question 2

B
Research shows that the last sense to leave is hearing. Families should be encouraged to talk to the dying individual. Tell stories, reminiscewhatever they are comfortable with. Responses C and D are incorrect and thoughtless. Response A is a possibility, but it is a risk that the family would need to assess.