A nurse is caring for an older adult client who expresses feelings of grief for his earlier life. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to help the client cope with his feelings of loss?

Listen attentively when the client talks about the past.

Let the client know that this is a common problem of the aging population.

Provide the client with activities to perform so he won't have time to dwell on the past.

Tell the client about some of the younger clients in the hospital Who have experienced loss.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. Listening attentively when the client talks about the past allows the nurse to provide emotional support and validation for the client's feelings of grief. It demonstrates empathy and encourages the client to express their emotions, which can be therapeutic.

B. Telling the client that feelings of grief are a common problem of the aging population may invalidate the client's individual experience and minimize their feelings. Each person's experience of grief is unique, and acknowledging this is important for effective support.

C. Providing activities to distract the client from dwelling on the past may temporarily divert attention but does not address the underlying feelings of grief. Encouraging avoidance of emotions may hinder the client's ability to cope effectively.

D. Comparing the client's experience to that of younger clients who have experienced loss may not be helpful and could potentially minimize the significance of the client's feelings. It is important to focus on the individual client's experience and provide personalized support.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Administering morphine can help decrease pain associated with dyspnea, but the primary goal in this scenario is to address the dyspnea itself rather than pain specifically.

B. While morphine can help dry up secretions to some extent, its primary action in this context is to alleviate dyspnea by reducing respiratory effort and rate.

C. Morphine is commonly used in palliative care to relieve dyspnea by depressing the respiratory center in the brain, leading to a decrease in respiratory rate and effort. This helps alleviate the sensation of breathlessness and discomfort associated with dyspnea.

D. Administering morphine in small doses for dyspnea relief is not intended to hasten death but rather to provide comfort and relief from distressing symptoms at the end of life. The goal is to improve quality of life rather than hastening death.

A. the patient has a doctor Who does not tell patients when they have a terminal illness. B. the patient is in denial and is unable to consciously admit what he has been told by the doctor. C. the patient needs to be told that he doesn’t have long to live so that he can make his final arrangements. D. she will have to avoid all conversation that refers to his disease or symptoms so as not to increase his anxiety.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. This option assumes that the doctor does not inform patients about terminal illnesses, which may not necessarily be the case. It is more likely that the patient is in denial rather than the doctor not disclosing the diagnosis.

B. Denial is a common defense mechanism in response to distressing or overwhelming information. The patient's statement suggests denial of the terminal diagnosis despite being informed by the doctor. Denial allows individuals to avoid confronting the reality of their situation and can serve as a protective mechanism to cope with the emotional impact of the diagnosis.

C. While it may be important for the patient to have an understanding of their prognosis in order to make informed decisions and final arrangements, pushing the patient to accept the reality of their terminal illness before they are ready may not be helpful and can cause distress.

D. Avoiding conversation about the disease or symptoms may not address the underlying issue of denial and may hinder open communication between the patient and healthcare team. It is important for the nurse to provide support and opportunities for the patient to discuss their feelings and concerns about their illness, while also respecting their coping mechanisms.

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A nurse is caring for an older adult client who expresses feelings of grief for his earlier life. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to help the client cope with his feelings of loss?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A terminally ill patient is experiencing a great deal of dyspnea and noisy, "rattling" rapid respirations. The nurse administers morphine in a very small liquid or intramuscular dose. The purpose of this is to:

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

When a patient admitted for terminal care is asked by the admitting nurse, "What has your doctor told you about your illness?" the patient states, "She says that I have a terminal illness, but I know she’s wrong." The nurse recognizes that:

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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