A nurse is assisting with teaching a class about stress. The nurse should include that which of the following is a manifestation of prolonged stress?

Choice A reason : While nasopharyngeal suctioning may be necessary to clear secretions, it should be done with the client's consent and in a manner that maintains their dignity. It is not the primary action to support dignity.

Choice B reason : Giving the client privacy during care is a fundamental way to support their dignity. It respects their personal space and autonomy, even in a vulnerable state.

Choice C reason : Demonstrating empathy is crucial in end-of-life care, as it acknowledges the client's feelings and experiences. However, it is not an action but rather an approach or attitude.

Choice D reason : Providing care with an optimistic attitude can be supportive, but it must be balanced with realism, especially in end-of-life situations where the focus is on comfort and dignity.

Choice E reason : Telling the client that their condition will improve may not be appropriate in end-of-life care, as it may not be truthful and could undermine trust.

Choice A reason : Prolonged grief, also known as complicated grief, is characterized by an intense longing and preoccupation with thoughts or memories of a loved one, which persists long after the loss has occurred. It can significantly impair important areas of functioning and is defined by the DSM-5-TR as grief that stays with you long-term. The client's inability to accept the loss after three years suggests that they may be experiencing prolonged grief, which may require the guidance of a mental health professional for resolution.

Choice B reason : Uncomplicated grief, also known as normal grief, involves a range of feelings, including sadness, anger, and longing, that gradually start to improve over time. The person experiencing uncomplicated grief will begin to accept the loss and resume normal activities. Since the client is still unable to accept the loss after three years, this would not be classified as uncomplicated grief.

Choice C reason : Disenfranchised grief occurs when an individual's grief is not acknowledged or validated by society, often because the relationship to the deceased is not recognized, such as in the case of a pet or a distant relative. This type of grief is not typically associated with the duration of the grief but rather with the social context in which the grieving occurs.

Choice D reason : Anticipatory grief occurs before the actual loss, often in situations where a loved one is terminally ill. It involves grieving the impending loss and can include some of the same emotions as post-loss grief. Since the client's partner has already died, this would not be considered anticipatory grief.