,Galen NSG 3130 Exam 3 | Fundamental Concepts &
Skills II (2026) Actual Q&A PDF
1. A spouse begins grieving the impending loss of a terminally ill partner before
death occurs. This type of grief is known as:
A) Anticipatory grief
B) Disenfranchised grief
C) Complicated grief
D) Chronic grief
Correct Answer: Anticipatory grief
Rationale: Anticipatory grief occurs before an expected loss, allowing the
individual to begin the mourning process in advance. It is distinct from
disenfranchised (unrecognized), complicated (prolonged), or chronic grief.
2. The nurse is caring for a dying patient whose family member angrily yells,
“You aren’t doing enough!” What is the nurse’s most appropriate response?
A) Defend the actions taken and explain hospital policy.
B) Remain calm and recognize that the anger is likely grief‑related.
C) Leave the room immediately to avoid escalating the situation.
D) Ask the family member to leave until they can behave calmly.
Correct Answer: Remain calm and recognize that the anger is likely grief‑related.
,Rationale: Anger is a normal stage of grief. The nurse should not take it
personally; remaining calm and empathetic de‑escalates the situation and
supports the family.
3. Self‑awareness is essential for nurses caring for grieving patients because it:
A) Reduces the need for documentation.
B) Allows the nurse to share personal grief stories with the patient.
C) Prevents projection of personal emotions and promotes empathy.
D) Ensures that the nurse remains detached and objective.
Correct Answer: Prevents projection of personal emotions and promotes
empathy.
Rationale: Self‑awareness helps nurses recognize their own feelings about loss,
preventing them from imposing those feelings onto patients, and facilitates
genuine therapeutic presence.
4. The son of a terminally ill patient is distraught because he feels powerless
over the situation and believes there is nothing he can do. The most appropriate
nursing diagnosis for the son is:
A) Chronic grief related to impending loss
B) Risk for spiritual distress related to end‑of‑life decisions
C) Powerlessness related to illness progression
D) Death anxiety related to feeling powerless over the situation
Correct Answer: Death anxiety related to feeling powerless over the situation
, Rationale: The son’s distress stems from a perceived lack of control over the
dying process, consistent with death anxiety. Powerlessness is a related
concept, but death anxiety captures the emotional component.
5. The theory that explains why individuals respond differently to the same
stressor based on how they perceive and evaluate it is:
A) Stress appraisal
B) General adaptation syndrome
C) Sense of coherence
D) Allostasis
Correct Answer: Stress appraisal
Rationale: Stress appraisal (Lazarus and Folkman) focuses on the individual’s
cognitive evaluation of a stressor as threatening or manageable, which drives
the emotional and behavioral response.
6. After an acute myocardial infarction, the nurse notes the patient’s blood
glucose is elevated. This is primarily due to:
A) Damage to pancreatic beta cells
B) Increased corticosteroid release from the stress response
C) Decreased insulin sensitivity from immobility
D) The patient’s previously undiagnosed diabetes
Correct Answer: Increased corticosteroid release from the stress response
Skills II (2026) Actual Q&A PDF
1. A spouse begins grieving the impending loss of a terminally ill partner before
death occurs. This type of grief is known as:
A) Anticipatory grief
B) Disenfranchised grief
C) Complicated grief
D) Chronic grief
Correct Answer: Anticipatory grief
Rationale: Anticipatory grief occurs before an expected loss, allowing the
individual to begin the mourning process in advance. It is distinct from
disenfranchised (unrecognized), complicated (prolonged), or chronic grief.
2. The nurse is caring for a dying patient whose family member angrily yells,
“You aren’t doing enough!” What is the nurse’s most appropriate response?
A) Defend the actions taken and explain hospital policy.
B) Remain calm and recognize that the anger is likely grief‑related.
C) Leave the room immediately to avoid escalating the situation.
D) Ask the family member to leave until they can behave calmly.
Correct Answer: Remain calm and recognize that the anger is likely grief‑related.
,Rationale: Anger is a normal stage of grief. The nurse should not take it
personally; remaining calm and empathetic de‑escalates the situation and
supports the family.
3. Self‑awareness is essential for nurses caring for grieving patients because it:
A) Reduces the need for documentation.
B) Allows the nurse to share personal grief stories with the patient.
C) Prevents projection of personal emotions and promotes empathy.
D) Ensures that the nurse remains detached and objective.
Correct Answer: Prevents projection of personal emotions and promotes
empathy.
Rationale: Self‑awareness helps nurses recognize their own feelings about loss,
preventing them from imposing those feelings onto patients, and facilitates
genuine therapeutic presence.
4. The son of a terminally ill patient is distraught because he feels powerless
over the situation and believes there is nothing he can do. The most appropriate
nursing diagnosis for the son is:
A) Chronic grief related to impending loss
B) Risk for spiritual distress related to end‑of‑life decisions
C) Powerlessness related to illness progression
D) Death anxiety related to feeling powerless over the situation
Correct Answer: Death anxiety related to feeling powerless over the situation
, Rationale: The son’s distress stems from a perceived lack of control over the
dying process, consistent with death anxiety. Powerlessness is a related
concept, but death anxiety captures the emotional component.
5. The theory that explains why individuals respond differently to the same
stressor based on how they perceive and evaluate it is:
A) Stress appraisal
B) General adaptation syndrome
C) Sense of coherence
D) Allostasis
Correct Answer: Stress appraisal
Rationale: Stress appraisal (Lazarus and Folkman) focuses on the individual’s
cognitive evaluation of a stressor as threatening or manageable, which drives
the emotional and behavioral response.
6. After an acute myocardial infarction, the nurse notes the patient’s blood
glucose is elevated. This is primarily due to:
A) Damage to pancreatic beta cells
B) Increased corticosteroid release from the stress response
C) Decreased insulin sensitivity from immobility
D) The patient’s previously undiagnosed diabetes
Correct Answer: Increased corticosteroid release from the stress response
