Author Question: The nurse is caring for a patient who lost her husband 1 year ago. The patient and her husband had ... (Read 81 times)

hbsimmons88 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse is caring for a patient who lost her husband 1 year ago. The patient and her husband had been married for 55 years. The patient no longer takes care of herself or cooks and rarely eats, stating she has no appetite.

The nurse determines that the nursing diagnosis of Complicated grieving applies to the patient. Which is the priority goal for the patient at this time?
a.
The patient will shower every other day and eat at least two meals a day.
b.
The patient will identify personal strengths that will increase coping ability.
c.
The patient will discuss the meaning of her loss with a family member or close friend.
d.
The patient will be provided with phone numbers for local community resources.

Question 2

The hospice nurse is caring for a father and his children following the death of their mother.

The father is having difficulty taking on the responsibilities and duties that were previously done by his wife, especially relating to and communicating with his teenage daughters. Which nursing diagnosis best describes the family's situation at this time?

a.
Impaired parenting r/t inappropriate child care arrangements
b.
Ineffective denial r/t new and unpleasant reality of single parenting
c.
Interrupted family processes r/t father's caregiving role changes
d.
Disturbed thought processes r/t father's feelings of grief over loss of wife

jessicaduplan · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The highest priority goal of this patient is self-care including showering and eating in order to protect her health and safety. The other goals are lower priority after the patient's necessary activities of daily living are addressed.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
The best diagnosis for this family is Interrupted family processes r/t father's caregiving role changes, as evidenced by the father's difficulties in taking over the responsibilities and duties previously done by his wife. This situation exemplifies the diagnosis in the change of family functioning that has occurred as a result of the death of the children's mother.