ELNEC End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium. Module 5: Loss, Grief and Bereavement. Section 2: Overview of Loss, Grief, and Bereavement.

John is a 70-year-old male whose wife died from COPD two months ago. They were very close, married for 52 years, and had no children. He comes by the nursing unit to bring you all candy and a thank you note for all the times you cared for her the past year. He tells you he is struggling to want to eat since she always was the cook, and is just not ready to go out to dinner with his buddies, even though they keep asking him. Your assessment is that John is: - A Experiencing normal grief after his wife died two months ago You are caring for a number of patients and family members who are facing loss or death. In speaking with them about grief, you correctly convey that grief: - B Begins before a loss or death, as people consider a pending loss Which of the following family members is at greatest risk for complicated grief? - D The daughter who has a long history of substance use and has just recently returned home to be at her dying mother's bedside. You are talking with the staff on your unit about the emotional challenges of working with dying patients and their families. Which of the following is an appropriate response to the grief the staff has been experiencing recently? - D Consult with the hospital chaplain or spiritual care counselor for staff support. You are making a bereavement visit to the 35-year-old daughter and primary caregiver of a female patient who died three months ago. The daughter reports s