The nurse is caring for a female patient who died a few minutes ...

[MGLQZ]

The nurse is caring for a female patient who died a few minutes previously. The patient's family comes in to the room and immediately starts to wash the body in preparation for burial. What is the most appropriate action of the nurse at this time?
 
  a. Inform the patient's family that the body must be transported to the morgue.
  b. Instruct the patient's family that hospital staff will provide post-mortem care.
  c. Obtain needed signatures for organ donation and autopsy.
  d. Offer to provide any needed supplies and provide privacy for the family.

Question 2

The hospice nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient. The patient's son is distraught because the patient will probably die within the next few days and there is nothing he can do about it.
 
  What is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for the patient's son at this time?
  a.
  Chronic sorrow r/t impending death of mother
  b.
  Impaired religiosity r/t difficulty adhering to religious beliefs
  c.
  Powerlessness r/t progression of mother's terminal illness
  d.
  Complicated grieving r/t desired avoidance of mourning

[Brummell1998]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
The most appropriate action of the nurse at this time is to allow the family to wash the patient's body in accordance with their wishes and cultural values. Signatures may be obtained from the next of kin when washing is complete. The patient's body may be transported to the morgue or funeral home after washing is completed.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
The patient's son is experiencing powerlessness because he is unable to change the outcome of his mother's imminent death. The son makes no mention of religious beliefs, so impaired religiosity is not appropriate. Complicated grieving is applicable to individuals who have recently experienced a loss.

[MGLQZ]

Excellent

[lindahyatt42]

TYSM